The Washington times., 1904-03-22

"Oh. sister. if you could only do an
act and look like that" whispered
Elizabeth in rapture "Oh, what a con-
tract you'd get Fifty dollars a week
and expenses-yOu would"
A sudden drear change chilled the sis
ter's face. You should not speak of
such things to me. she said. icily Go
III and put your stockings in order. l
VIII come presently and show you how
to darn them il they need it. Every
lady should learn to do that, ana you
wiz have TO-
She had resolutely put her hair in
place, and kneeIing, set herself once
more 10 her task. But Elizabeth threw
her arms around her, kissing neck,
brow. ana mouth.
You must not look at me like that. -
she pleaded, because yOl know / love
yoE so. And you know very well that
my stockings have not hole. My
mamma is a lady and she taught me
how TO darn long ago. I shall not
bulge a step'-sitting down deliberately
in her place upon the sill-"for there Is
something more ] want TO. speak about
ana yoa know il is your business to
teach me when l want to know things.
1t is this: l think the geography IS
TJls taken about the world. Anybody
can see that the world is shaped like d
cup. a beautiful, deep, safe cup, that
holds all the things. The sky is the
cover, the clear, blue, lovely cover,
curved over When I say in the school
room that the world is round like d ball
or an orange 1 do not mean it. 1 know
il is a lie And the geography men
l.aow it, They just copy each other
over and over. and don't care Now.
if you We're me, sister, wouldn't that
jar your-'
Sister Ermelinda's dimples deepened-
For one swift instant a spirit OF
laughter came TO her eyes and looked
out.
But she said severely, bending low
over her brush:
THAT is slang; and YOU are a wicked
child 10 speak so of those who try 10
instruct YOU. You said the same thing
about the world to the sister superior
the other day when she examined you,
and she reprimanded me for letting
you think such things You know that
the world is a sphere
1T is not" said Elizabeth calmly.
And il is of no use, sister. for you
10 be like "A real sister. You never can.
You are laughing inside of you now.
Some time 1 shall get Prince Somebody
to come and lift you over the garden
wall by the old ounce tree and carry
yen off 10 be happy Then I viii run of
and go everywhere with my mamma;
for L couldn't stay here one minute
without you. Sister Ermelinda."
You dreadful child. I am very much
displeased with YOU" gasped Sister Err
melinda.
No laughter looked from her eyes
NJ fffTl Of inc
Her lips were white and quiverinL. She
took her pail and brushes and walked
swiftly away. not looking back when
Elizabeth called, Sister 1 win be good,
and you Will not tell Sister Ursula!"
\ sense of injustice was singing her.
Had not the sisters mother once Wis
tied her and brought her a present Of
delicious homemade bOnbons. which
she shared with Elizabeth And did she
not tell her daughter things about home
and about somebody who was sad
whenever the sisters pet name was
mentioned-somebody who, it was plain.
could never forget" And had not Sis
ter Ermelinda. all rosy and dimpled.
conflded this to little Elizabeth. out I'M
der that very ounce tree In the garden
when she was spreading linen to bleach?
Elizabeth had asked. why did Won
leave him, them and the sister had
answered low, You are too little to-
understand One must learn TO obey.
ii is not the best Of life to be haDnv "
And when Elizabeth. with a cbiId.s
relentless lance thrust to the quick. had
retorted. rs that why you're so glad
Somebody is unhappy. too?" She saw
the sisters tears dropping. and said no
more.
Somehow. for many days after the
morning of the scTubbing Of the steps.
things seemed TO happen that kept Sis
ter Ermelnda and Elizabeth apart. 1t
was like the silence of death to the
child.
On Saturday night it was Sister Mary
Felicia who came TO help her take her
bath. Elizabeth always dreaded Sister
Mary Felicia, because she had no soft
smiles like Sister ErmeIindas and
never cared how wet the towels We're
Tonight Elizabeth's teeth chartered with
Bears the IT 1870