The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-07-09


had been feeling lonely and somewhat
depressed and tired from her long day.
work, and she had 20 entirely ENTERED
into his appreciation Of Scrino'a IN
happiness.
Yes, those were the reasons.
AN noble women live for others.
Self-aacriGciDR is the measure Of moral
greatness. Take care you do not spoil
the tad. Let him study, but put re-
spunsibilitir8 on him, and make him
bear them. DO not take all the burden
On your shoulders. let him share them.
II will develop him end give him a
mans strength" the queer stranger
Frayelg counaelcd, and the quick jump
of her heart made Belle realize that
bis words struck q hidden fear she had
never been willing to acknowledge.
The door slammed and a quick rush
was beard up the stairs to the accom-
paDtmcut Of a ragDime whistle, ending
with a raJl "Brttic' Bethel"
A handsome, well-dressed lad dashed
in The room and ran mp 10 Bette, Kissed
her and flung his books on a chair.
"What kept you 50 late, Carl?' Bette
asked passing her white hand caress-
/ ing over bis head, folding up her work.
"Wrni out swimming with some
boys. I'm as hungry as 4 bear. Hurry
and get supper, Bette, wont you?'
carl, were those the boys | asked
you not TO 20 with? Those rough fell
lows on the Icvce? They are no asso-
ciatcs for you. Did you not promise
mc?" Bette looked troubled and veXed.
"Oh. bother, Bette! A boy is not
ike Il girl, What difference does it
make? They are not a bad lot, and
they are loads Of fun. One felIow-but
/ suppose / better not tell you, you'll
think it was awful 1t was only Toms
fun"
TON Kelley? What did he do,
Carl?"
"Oh, nothing much; just took a lot
Of apples from old Bcrtrands stand
at the market You ought to have seen
the clever way he lodged the police
man"
Carl laughed carelcssly, but a keen
look Of anxiety came over Bcttie's face.
and her queer neighbor, still standing
a spectator. in the growing twilight.
looked kconly compassionate as he
watched the brother and sister,
The boy, Carl, was strictly hand
some, but not like Bette, his face
lacked the decision and strength Of
hers, and in his brown eyes and rather
full lips the watcher from the other
side Of the rusty railing read what he
feared.
The burden will increase in weight,
and he will never lift nor bear 1t. He
will impose it on her, and it will break
her proud spirit and crush her to the
earth" murmured the man.
IT'S hot in that dark, old room.
Let's eat supper out here, Bette. Call
on me when you are ready, and I'll
go in and help you bring ii out. DO
hurry, Hcllo?"
Carl, who had dragged an armchair
ON the balcony and threw himself into
IT, started at sight of the gray-haired
stranger, composedIy smoking, a few
feet away. and who was scrutiniZing
him kcenly,
I'm your sisters neighhor and
friend, Won Buford, We were speak
ing of your schooling. Would you like
to go to school in Germany"
Carl sprang up delightedly and was
o deep in a discussion as to what
he could and would do in the way of
study If he had the opportunity.
The stranger listened ~intentively and
sternly.
Would you study, or do you prefer
70 be idle and dissipate and lose the
opportunity Of an honorable career and
break the heart of that noble and beau
tiful girl, your sister?
Have you the courage and manhood
to resist the follies and temptations
Of youth, and, taking her for a guild
ing star, strive and toll TO reach up
TO the heights on which she stands, so
far above you? II so, young man,
will open the way for you, | will put
within your reach the weapons Of
knowledge, which will enable you TO
lead an honorable and useful life.
You can then buy back your ancestral
home for her. She Is worthy OF every
effort and sacriice.'
Carl, staggered and amazed, stood
silent, hardly able 10 grasp the mean
ing Of the stranger offer, when Bet
tie came out holding a tray prettily
set
Bring out the table. Carl, veil take
supper out mere WIZ you JON usE
I'm sure You can step over the iail-
ing, she SAID, win iFlnhaIy hospital
ny 10 hef heiBhoor' moved by a singn-
lar Impulse OF confidence,
OIL