The Indianapolis journal., 1902-09-07

ward upon its stem, worn with hard work.
A dainty little lady stood on the rectory
steps in the sunshine. her small gloved
hand clasping this weary monarch. She
had no appearance of overwork. She was
eminentIy well preserved. If her little face
was not quite as young as her elaborate
white gown, II was not labor worn. She
held her crimped head up bravely; it was
shaded by a smart hat, a fantastic Gains
borough structure. Her waist was so small
as to be out OF fashion; her wistful air Of
ennui was also a little out Of date, and
contrasted sharply with the vigorous per-
sonality OF the lady who, at this moment,
threw the rectory door briskly open.
and stepped out bareheaded into the sun
shine.
Mrs. Nesbit, the rector's wife, had no
hankering after her lost youth; she had
no time. no leisure IN which to remember
her loss. She emerged from the house car
rying a dish of odds and ends from the
breakfast table. with which she intended
to feed her chickens. Every moment of her
day was fully occupied. She managed the
rector, his three thousand parishioners.
his eight children and his three maid serv-
ants. She farmed his glebe land, she kept
his parish accounts. she laid out his sufii-
cient income wisely. she entertained her
nelghbors, and she read the daily paper
She never hustled; she had calm manner,
a slow, low-toned and remarkably pleas
ant voice. Her gowns were all made In
one pattern. her hair never changed Its
fashion, her manner knew no variety, but
was earnest. grave, sincere.
The lions head Topped back to Its place,
and the visitor smiled.
'I came very early, dear Mrs. Nesbit."
said she. Her voice was cultivated, not
spontaneously musical. 81 wanted to catch
you I am more fortunate than usual.
came last night, and you were at Myton."
81 was very sorry; but woman there
is desperately Ill. / am going to see her
again presently. 1 have ordered the jingle
for twelve" She looked at the plate Of
chicken food. Lady st. John, do you
mind coming into the garden whilst I feed
the Houdans?'
Lady ST. John did not mind. Tripping
delicately through the shubbery, and on
To the lawn, she followed the easy stride
of her guide.
A little girl. holding up her holland
apron, which bulged with cabbages and
carrot-tops. was in the garden. The wide
brimmed hat the top OF her straight
little body made he look like an animated
mushroom
There Is Barbara cried Lady st. John,
pointing to the mushroom. who was hurry
ing down a gravel walk in the direction of
Mrs. Nesbit's model pigstyes. TT is about
Barbara that l have come to see you. /
have a favor to ask you, dear Mrs. Nesbit."
Dear Mrs. Nesb!t was surprised. Any
favors that hovered I'm the air were not
often at the rectorys disposal.
"a favor?" she said. Her voice was beau
tiful, low-pitched, gentle, persuasive-a for
tune for a woman who knew how to it.
only the owners knowledge did not lie in
that direction. II am sure l will do what
f. possible"
l''It is quite possible. 1 want Barbara. /
want to borrow Barbara"
IT don't quite understand"
'Let me explain. My husband and 1 are
going abroad. Roddie hates our leaving
him, but he will reconcile himself to being
alone IL Barbara may be with him. Will
you let her be with him? She can do lessons
with him-his goyerness loves her. Roddie
Is always at his best with Barbara. We
shall be away three months. You will be
stantly Out Of your abundance. Mrs. Mes
bit. surely you can spare her to my poor
solitary little boy"
Mrs. Nesbit's interests were too many to
allow their owner TO be absorbed In any
single passion. her mother-love was prac-
teal The Houdans were pecking and
scrambling about her feet for food. With
a judicious. impartial hand she scattered
her bounty. her shrewd. rather light gray
eyes ciouded with thought.
You are very kind" she said.
''Now you are going TO say No."
Let me think it over"
"Indeed, indeed there Is nothing to think
about. Please talk; talking generally
means Yes thinking means NO Roddie
will be here in minute; he is riding; he
was TO follow me to see you himself and
plead his cause"
You are very kind" said Mrs. Nesbit
again, inverting the dish of chickens food
and signing.
THE kindness will be yours If you will
let her come
MY little girl must not be spoilt, dear
Lady st. John, for a life which cannot
In the nature OF things. be all play
Now, now-don't scoldI What life in
this world can be all play? I'm a useless
person, but have shoals of things to do
THE things you do are so different tc
the things we do
But they are things which have to be
done. Your Curly Locks. like her name
sake In the nursery rhyme, has gone tc
feed the pigs. practical little maiden"
"And you," said Mrs Nesbit, laughing
want her to sit on a cushion and sew a
fine seam. and feed upon strawberries
sugar and cream I am not at all sure
that my Curly Locks is not like hel
mother, and
Likes feeding pigs" put in Lady St
John. Prefers them TO sugar and cream.
Barbara has great force of character
pursued Barbara's mother. following her
own train of thoughts; ''she would no,
easily be spoilt."
"a chip OF the old block" suggested the
other, with a good-humoredly malicious
smile. "Ah, here is Roddie himself. HI
wants to hear your answer; you are the
only woman in the world who every saws
No to Roddie.''
Lady ST. Johns son and heir came strid
Ing down to the poultry yard; his mothel
watched his approach with fond pride. Tn,
love his parents bore this boy was anxious
solicitous. indulgent; If such a term cal
rightly be applied to love. 1t was. in IT.
feverish intensity. unwholesome. II Is no
well that all eggs should be In one basket