The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-05-08

lind. There's something else"
She pressed hsr face against the cold
glass and pccrcd into the darkness. Its
just this way. They treat me as i'll was
4 person whom they might be glad to
have visit them. know I'm ugly, but
well. its pleasant to &c treated So"
The mex: morning, however she reused
herself. 81 must he natural" she muir
INJURED while making her toilet 81 must
show their mistake"
1t was easier said than done
At breakfast her tastes were rcmem-
hcrcd. Mrs. Lee would persist in laugh
ing over cid times. Huldah asked the
guest to help her select the shades of en-
broiGcry silk for her new carnation CEN
terpicce in such :, way that there was
nothing Ia do but comply with the re-
quest and enjoy doing it. Clinton asked
the privle:,a %: taking his mother and
cousin for = rive. They went, and when
they returned Miss Davis found that HUI
bert had li,s.'.Sh spray of bitter-sweet
from the woods for her, while Ralph has
tended to bring her plate of apples he
had polished.
Miss Davis was honest. She tried to
be her own carping, unpleasant self 1t
was useless. The entire family expected
her to be gracious and gentle. They took
it for granted that she would be pleased
with them and their efforts to entertain
her. They saw only the good in her,
passing over her cross words as if they
failed to understand them.
1t was losing battle that she waged.
Little by little she yielded to the demands
made upon her. Gradually the gracious,
agreeable woman whom Huldah had
Imagined" came to be reality.
No one knew Just how it came about.
The Lees found it easier, day By day, to
see Cousin Rebecca's good qualities. She
came TO be friend and companion. The
boys were no longer "a bother" Instead,
she grew fond of them, and delighted in
contributing to their happiness.
One evening in April they were again
seated around the table, enjoying the
mail. Miss Davis sighed so profoundly
over the letter she was reading that they
all looked up.
From the business manager of the fac
tory. He says can have my old place
back i'll two weeks"
"WiiI you go:" Hubert asked. "Ihope
not.
Thank you, Hubert. l think l must
go. | am much better now and feel that
| ought to be at work. l have so enjoyed
my stay here; it has been the best part
of my life"
why, we won't know what to do
without you, Cousin Rebeccaw Clinton
cried. Il don't know who will go riding
with me or mend my mittens or listen to
the stories of what I'm going to do"
Cousin Rebccca smiled, albeit her lips
quivcrcd. How had it come about that
this outspoken. fun loving Clinton had
become her favorite?
Huldah looked proudly over at the lit
tie spinstcr. She was transformed, not
only her inner self, but there was change
visible to the eye. Cousin Rebecca s dark
hair was waved and arranged in a be-
comming manner A pretty red stock
collar frightened her black dress, and
there was the CLEAN of the rings which
had been her mothers on her hands.
1t was Mrs Lee who spoke. Charles
and were talking of this last night.
Stay with us Rebccca. We will pay You
the two and half dollars a week we
always pay girl i'll the summer. That
is more than YOU save in the city, and the
work is no harder. Stay and be one of
US, as you are now"
Tears prevented Miss Davis from reply
ing for time. At last she managed to
say: Il will be glad to stay. Somehow
your goodness has changed me-"
Huldah nodded her brown head They
had succeeded; Cousin Rebecca was trans
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