The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-05-30
<<V CANNOT understand what has
~ changed Nellie So"

lie. Tom finished his second plate
of rriddie-cakes and intimated that he
could dispose of a third. Then he an
noupced his views on the subject:
"Now, mother, there's nothing the
matter with Nell but pure airs. She
has been away to school these two
years. and last vacation she Travelled
with Aunt Nell and was waited on un-
III she was completely spoiled. Now
she feels n little too large for the
house. This morning she's late fer
breakfast again, and when she does
CONF trailing in she'll have OH that
DRESSING jacket thing that looks like
a Dath-robe cut in half. 1t gives me
the blues to look at 1t. I hate those
fioppy thingsl l suppose she doesn't
think it's worth while to dress up and
be entertaining at home"
"Now, Tom dear!' admonished his
mother gently. You must not be un-
charitable with Nellie. Remember that
Will give her a chance to rest and /
think she will soon come back to her
old self"
Tom shook his head unconvinced. He
was lively young gentleman just re-
turned from his sophomore year at
college, and his patience with his sis
ters new attitude was limited.
Its a good thing to vary brain
work with physical exercise" he sug-
gested wisely. "She crawls down late
mornings, and If there rs anything she
might do around the house, she half
does 1t and forgets the rest, or else
she gets a 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
wearing that loose rag. either"
''Tom, be carefulw
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-
inatlon.
Good morning." she said, smiling,
but stopping to cover a bit of yawn
with her hand. "I'm sorry I'm so
late"
Nellie had been sorry a good many
mornings since her return, but her
regret had not carried her to the point
of prompt attendance. She was a
plump, pretty girl. with face usually
sparkling with animation: but just
now she looked rather fstIess, per-
haps trifle bored. Formerly she had
found 1t 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
Were with them, her young daughter
was as bright and charming as ever.
Doubtless Nellie herself had little idea
into this indifference.
There was a 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
college friends come, isn't it, Tom? oh,
i am so glad she can come! She is
such a dear"
Nellie sat up straighter and evinced
considerably more interest In life, but
Tom, gravely finishing his coffee, ap-
parently forgot to answer her question.
His critical eye roved severely over
the wide-spreading little dressing
sack, which ended few brief inches
below his sisters naturally trim waist,
and Mr.. Howard. watching him,
smiled significantly across the table at
his wife.
After breakfast Tom hunted I'D his
mother us she, was busy about her.
household duties.
Now" he said, "if you have a lot
TO do make Nell work. hear. her at
the piano this minute. Oh, yes. /
know she doesn't mean anything, but
lts high time she did mean something.
she's all right, really. only she's care
less and spoiled, and you always did
let MS impose on you"
Mrs. Howard shook her head and
smiled, but she loved the affectionately
scolding tone which her big son occa-
slonally adopted toward her. Tom had
not finished yet.
Now, mother. let's make n bargain.
honor bright. II l undertake to cure
Nell with heroic treatment, will you
aid, abet and encourage my nefarious
schemes? You needn't do much; just
stand by me. For instance. L didn't
tell her, but have received word that
the Ellis boys viii get here late to.
night instead Of tomorrow afternoon.
want to smuggle them in so that
Nell won't know they are here. VIII
you help me?''
Mrs. Howard looked at him serious
" Tom, l do not wish 30 do any
tning to humiliate Nellie, at least un-
necessarily. Stlll. think you are
risht 1t hurts me to think of causing
acr pain, but do think It Will be the
oest Thing for her. have tried to
speak with her gently, but l know she
merely thought that was carping and
ankind and that we do not quite un-
aerstand her. She does not realize
now careless she has grown. Now. be
careful. Tomr' ~
All right" said Tom. cheerfu,,v
ana he was OF like a whirlwind.