The Red Cloud chief., 1902-12-19
H INITIATION
OF FLORENCE E.
BY ROSE WILLIS JOHNSON

FLO. the eIu'T SlN''i 'dii'u p''"o
| antly. "if you'll do something for me
I'll give you n dime! There's plenty
of bread aud butter. milk and cheese.
| and there are three pumpkin pies.
| Fatllcr'll be out late. and no telling
when the boys will get in. When they
| come. set out their dinner, and you
shall have the dime
slow dlsmay rsurpcd the busting
chc%erfulncs of the child's face. Where
| are o going;" she demanded.
"ro the church. Tcssie and u
But Benz Florence interrupted,
hrcathlrssly. IFS Bcn's birthday.
And YOU said
go hush Rene gave her hair n
vicious twist. and jabbed in a hairpin.
ben won't he in before night. I'll get
him u good dinner tomorrow; perhaps
I'll invite the minister over. ] have to
70 today: I'm Oh the flower committee.
! You'll do all right. If you are lone
some have Ida Barton come over
II don't want Ida Barton, aud you're
| TOO mean to live" Florence chokcd.
"You are. I'm not going TO your old
church again IL I do. You told
Ben" -
"Now. that will do Rene inserted
| The last pin. and took u critical survey
Of herself. I'm not Ben's slave. nor
yours. You'll do what | say. With
Rover here there's nothing to he afraid
Of"
I'm afraid Of nothing but mean.
ncss!" Florence stormcd. But words
failed. She turned aud lcd. banging
the door In u way 10 make the toilet
articles jump in establishment.
"Spitfrc!" Rem commented. pinning
on her hat. shes dreadful. I don't
know what Is TO become OF her! l
must hurry. wonder II Mr.. MOrgie
will he there to help u.s."
When the storm was over Florence
| came back to the deserted Kitchen.
II was nearly ten by the fat Dutch
clock In the corner. The kettle sim
mercd very invitingly. md an expect
ant air pervadcd the place. Florencc's
face wore II look OF determination.
Ben Is. going 10 have his birthday
dinner she announced to the clock.
"You needn't look blank and cross
your hands. I'm going to cook II my
self
II was very cold. There was nothing
TO save the Ea stcr promise from the
sword of the FROST. Ilorcncc's pets. the
barn.yard fowls. huddlcd together in
sunny corners. looking frowsy and
wind. blown. Sine went out among
them. pan in hand. her ears tingling.
She was n Judas: she meant to hctray.
|, They knew no fear of her. She
picked up n young cochin. who merely
reached round in an effort 10 secure
the corn in her hand.
l"Oh. you poor thing" she whimpered.
feeding him. II have Ia have you-for
Gen. 1t wont hurt but n minute. ]
Know the axe is slarp-Oh.'
She leaned against the fence. white
and sick. and the chicken Topped.
When al was still. she vcnturcd to
\peep. The decd vas done. Sludder-
hiig violently, she snatchcd up her
victim and He'd. leaving his heartlcss
brethren fighting owe the pan.
One unconsciouSly imbibcs infOrma-
ton. How to remove the feathers did
not trouble her o that she had
solved the problem Of his head. She
rose with the strength of conviction
she knew she could cook!
How nice il must be to be Rene
to have passed beyond dish washing,
II occurred to her to he Rene. and she
donned a discarded wrapper and aped
her sisters ways. Her enthusiasm
grew. She prepared vegetables and
watched the pot. from which ricl
Odors began to rise. Then she turned
her attention to the fruit-cellar.
Rene was very particular about hci
fruit. Ii vas there FOR show" Ton
asserted. in speenful moments. Their,
were vandal hands upon II now. Tive
OF the choicest Jars and a mold Of Jelly
went TO do honor to Ben's majority.
Ben. meanwhile. was walking soberly
h0meward. His heart was heavy will
the encouragement which falls easily
upon the young. How many times hat
he plowed these fields? How many
times gathered the haryests-for 9th
ers!
Tom had given voice to a though
long dormant in his mind. Why hinge
In the rut. why go Oh as father an,
grandfather had done before him?
There was youths natural longinI
for change, coupled with silent. soar
Ing ambition. Who knew TO wha
heights he might no, climb? Their
were none to care for him here. non
k save little Florence.
r 20 mother" he whispered with
sudden sob. Mother"
II Behind him a merry Halo" frol
lusty lungs made him turn Quicsl,
Tom II three 81 his young friend
were coming M from town. One {
them was the young minister upO
whOm-Tom asserted Rene was cas-
Ing gentle glances.
X wait. Ben" Tom called. Coin
home: So are we. The boys and NJ
II, Morgie are here TO do justice to Rene
u. cooking. Fly up. and let's hear yc
4. crow"