The Red Cloud chief., 1902-12-19

after dinner. Cold Easter, MI. MOrgie.
DO you think this snap has killed the
fruitI"
Florence had just completed the
preparations for her banquet and vas
proudly surveying results when there
came n great stamping and laughing
in the hall. Tho boys-and the
preacher! She pecpcd and rctrcated. a
demurc, maidcnly figure with dancing
eyes.
Tom stared. where's Renee" he
demanded. not gone. has she? Well.
What have you for dinner. Babc;"
Somewhat disconnected, he led his
guests into the parlor. Ben stood
where lie had paused. He was looking
ut the table, invitingly drapcd in snowy
white. graccd by his mothers pretty,
ol~d-fashioncd china and silver. Some.
thing unstcadicd the hand lc extended.
Did you fix 1t for me, Babc?' he
asked, and Florence nodded confused.
ly. hanging her head.
II did the best | could" she faltered.
II didn't think about company, but
just of you"
Noh. NptD's ts'' = III WI
each other from now on: shall WEI III
do my part by you and father: I'll
stand by you. Come. give me n kiss
for my birthday"
The new cook looked UP into her
brothers face. She saw there some.
thing which made her shivcr raptur.
ously. Ben was pleased with her; Ben
was happy! With - glad little gurgle
she went to his embrace. pressing rosy
lips TO his. %~.'.. .'sr'..
"Onc for mother" she whispered.
"Oh, how proud she'd he II she could
sec you. u really. truly man, old enough
to vote
Ben's birthday dinner was n great
success. Young people are merry over
little things. and after her first con
fusion Florence entered into the hilar-
ity OF the occasion, not, however, for
getting her dignity as mistress Of the
board. There were toasts proposed
and answered. tests and friendly re-
partce.
In the midst of it all the door opened
suddenly. and Rene stood upon the
threshold.
Enjoyment sparklcd in Toms eyes.
80 Rene" he called. "Comc IN, Rene!
Better late than never! You asked
us-or some Of us--to Bcn's birthday
dinner. you know, and here we are!
So glad you've come. VIII you have
n iWnc-thcrc isn't anything else lcft:"
The girl made q gesture OF dissent,
turning away her crimsoncd face.
With an unintplligible murmur OF
greeting and apology she withdrew,
carrying with her Il confused impress
sion of happy young faces on Zach of
which was Il look which made her
tingle scnsitively.
She had a bad half.hour alone with
herself. the sounds Of mirth coming up
from below. Every sound was Il stab,
making her vince and writhe. For she
was not. as she declared herself to be.
Il monument of scliishnoss. She was
hut u thougltlcss. pleasurc-loving girl.
who had not yet arrived at her moth
cr's moral stature.
The promise of the day before. which
had been given So lightly, had been
brushed aside for Il task more pleasure
bile. Now It came to her that II prom
ise. though made IN Jest. Is sacred.
Ben. had trusted her. acted upon her
word. She did not know how results
had been accomplished. how lie had
hceu spared from humiliation. hut she
bad failed him.
Then she thought of his quiet. un-
youthful ways. and her heart burned.
What n good brother he was. t0iling
manfully at his fathers side. year in.
year out. to provide home cOmfOrts!
She put her face down on her arms
and wcpt n little. then turned to a bet
ter penitence. the sorrow for wrong
which expresses itself in deeds.
1t required some moral courage to 70
down to her brothers guests. and by
her cheerful. girlish presence brighten
their social hour; but this she did, and
Ben was forgiving. Tom, for once.
~magnanimous. Nothing was done to
remind her she had failed in the home
the place where failures are hardest
to bear.
And be It said. from that day. nj
though F%lOreDce's initiation was sac
cessful. she was not forced to accept
life's lessons all at once. but took re
naming degrees at her leisure. Foi
with Rene a. the home angel. the Ole
! life of love and comfort was re-estab
lished.-YOuth's Companion.