The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-06-06
7 CANNOT understand what has
changed Nellie So"
Mrs. Howard spoke in trou'

Her husband shook his head. He was
getting trife impatient with Nell
S lie. Tom finished his second plate
OF griddle-c cakes and intimated that he
could dispose Of third. Then he an
3 nourced his views on the subject:
"Now, mother. there's nothing the
matter with Nell but pure airs. She
has been away &c school these two
years, and last vacation she Travelled
g with Aunt Nell and was waited Oh un-
Ill she was completely spoiled. Now
she feels little too large for 1he
house. This morning she's late fer
breakfast again. and when sls does
Aeomc trailing in she'll have on that
ressins thing. that looks like
Dath-robe cut in half. 1t gives me
kblues to lcok at it. hate those
things: 1 suppose she doesn't
= worth while to dress up and
kining at home"
.llNow. Tom dear!' admonished his
nother gently. ''You must not be un-
charitable with Nellie. Remember that
she has studied hard this year. We
swal give her a chance to rest and
think she will soon come back to her
kpld self"
Tom shook his head unconvinced. Hc
was lively young gentleman just re-
turned from bis sophomore year at
s college, and his patience with his sis.
ters new attitude was limited.
ITS a good thing to vary/6rain-
work with physical czerc;S< he sug-
gested wisely. -%:ssse Ssss.cra crawls down late
mornings, asM if there is anything she
6 might do! around the house, she half
Afses it and forgets the rest, or else
lYhe gets headache and can't do any
thing. But she can spend hours writ
ing fat letters to those girl friends of
hers. When the Ellis boys come you'll
see her down stairs early, and not
S wearing that loose rag, either"
atom, be carefulr'
Mrs. Howard's word of warning
came just in time. The dining room
door opened and Nellie entered, look
ing trifie sleepy about the eyes. Her
hair combed somewhat less carefully
than for more public occasions, and
she wore the short, voluminous dress
ing-sack which was Toms pet abom-
ination.
.Good morning" she said, smiling,
but stopping to cover bit of yaWn
with her hand I'm sorry I'm SO
s late"
Nellie had been sorry q good many
mornings since her return, but her
regret had not carried her to the point
OF prompt attendance. She was a
s plump, pretty girl, with face usually
sparkling with animation: but just
now she looked rather listless, per
haps a trihe bored. Formerly she had
found it pleasure to exert herself to
entertain her own family. Mrs. How
ard, with q mothers charity, had been
attributing her lack Of animation to
delicate health, but had been slowly
forced to admit that when strangers
8 were with them, her young daughter
s-was as bright and charming as ever.
Doubtless Nellie herself had little idea
sef how far she had let herself drift
into this Indifference.
There was letter at Nellie.s place,
and as she opened and read it she
gave an exclamation OF pleasure.
oh, how lovely: 1t is from Jean
Fairfax, mamma, and she says she
can come. Saturday afternoon-that's
Tomorrow. Why, that is when your
Aeollege friends come, isn't it, Tom? Oh,
kam -soglad she can come! She is
- dearr'
lat up straighter and evinced
more interest in life, but
finishing his coffee, ap-
10 answer her question.
roved severely over
ing little dressing
q few brief inches
hturally trim waist,
watching him,
kacroSs the table at
pm hunted up his
Is busy about her
t4if you have a lot
work. hear her at
minute. Oh, yes, I
eh't mean anything, but
e she did mean something.
kght, really, only she's care
Spoiled, and you always did
pose on you"
L.,
but she loved the affect;onately
tg tone which her big son occa.
iy adopted toward her. Tom had
epished yet. -
Now, mother, let's make bargain,
s honor bright. If undertake to cure
s. Nell with heroic treatment, will you
q aid, abet and encourage my nefarious
s schemes? You needn't do much; just
stand by me. For instance, I didn't
tell her, but have received word that
the Ellis boys will get here late to-
night instead Of tomorrow afternoon.
I want to smuggle them in SO that
Nell won't know they are here. Will
you help me?'
Mrs. Howard looked at him serious
Iy. tom. do not wish to do any
thing to humiliate Nellie, at least un-
necessarily. Still. think you are
S right. 1t hurts me to think of causing
her pain, but do think it will be the
best thing for her. 1 have tried to
5 speak with her gently, but know she
merely thought that I was carping and
S unkiad and that we do not quite un-
s derstand her. She does not realize
how careless she has grown. Now, be
careful, Tomr'
All right" said Tom, cheerfully,
and he was off like whirlwind.
Nellie was not quite as late as usual
to breakfast on Saturday morning,
perhaps because she was expecting
Jean Fairfax, and had awakened with
more lively interest in her everyday
life. Her hair was a trifie reckless,
nd rI, civ >,,>1-