The Southern herald., 1901-11-29

couch, and throwing herself down on
the hearth rug gave up to the good
cry that the occasion seemed to de-
mand. Thus her sacrifices we're va
tered with quantity of tears, one last
good-by said to that career and She
had Just grasped the future firmly
by the horns when her mother en-
tered ia room.
Poor little visionary mother! Her
mistakes were many, but her inten-
tlons were Of the best and she had al
ways economical that her daughter
should have money to prepare her
self for a variety of careers ranging
from Journalism" to domestic econ
omy," which had been the last one
tried and which, while Helen had not
carried it far enough to have it bring
her in anything-none of the careers
had ever been carried far enough for
that-seemed to be the one best suit
ed to those elusive talents Of hers.
Perhaps after all they were not tai
ents. Perhaps 'knack," that indefn-
able New England name for an idea
which means making everyone about
you comfortable and happy, was what
she really possessed. That was what
Tom thought and Tom, although he
showed none of the earmarks of true
greatness and whose conversation did
not consist Of meteoric display Of
bon mots, still had a way, now and
then, Of coming out with the right
name for things and driving straight
to the point
"My dear said the plaintive voice
Of her doting parent, "what is the
matter? Thomas Mason is down.
stairs and wants to see you"
"Oh, mamma, l can't see Tom or
anyone else tonight. Just look at
me' And indeed this universal
genius did not appear just as one
might wish, when the eyes of the
world are upon one. Her hair, from
having buried her head in the pillows
whereon many tears were shed, was
somewhat out of curl; in fact, it was
in stringlets. Her eyes were red and
her face wore that swollen and ban
daged-up appearance, consequent
upon the enjoyment Of the luxury and
woe.
swell. Helen. what am | to tell
him? | said you were at home, you
know"
"Ob, I'll 90 down. It's only Tom"
And she got herself up from the rug
with a sigh, bathed her red eyes and
smoothing the touseled head little
and went down to the parlor.
Tcame to say good-by, Hally," said
he, looking down at her with the
faithful, loving eyes of a big New
foundland dog. Il can't stand it, you
see. to hang around here and go on
loving you like do, when merely
think of me as a brother, and I've
made up my mind to go west and try
| to get interested in something-not
to forget you, however, for | never
can do that-but it isn't good for me
to remain here just to pick up what
crumbs of affection you can spare for
me. I've got to be somebody, you
/ know. and while III never be as great
as You will be. I'm going to do the
best ! can; and when you are noted
woman and parties and receptions are
made for you and the people crowd
around to meet you and 60 away feel
inc elated-that is if the celebrated
authoress, or whatever you are to be-
come, takes any particular notice OF
them, | want YOU to remember that
not one of them loves you as Tom
does
The candidate for the worlds bau-
BILE of praise and hollow homage was
nervously tracing the pattern of the
carpet with the toe of her little red
slipper. "Just you yourself, Hally,
without any press notices or recep-
tions. that is all | have cared for or do
care for"
That career He, too, had been
taking resolutions on April 1stl
The lady who was destined TO be
lionized at future functions and tC
roar mildly for the edifcatiOn of the
same. sank weakly down and melted
into tears again, sort ofsupplement.
ary weep.
"Good-by, Hally," said he, holding
out his two big hands. "Good-by.
wish you all kinds of success in youl
career, and-and all that, you know
and remember that if you ever need
a friend"
In that one minute she learned hel
mind. and looking down at the hands
stretched out to her, as though to bt
filed, it came to her that her eareel
was to make Tom happy-it had
L.. al tbie time IN find mi