The Cairo bulletin., 1908-02-06

nngratcful he was when she had given
up all her own plans to come and take
care OF him. What had he 70 com
be justified in wishing to die.
! When Henry came 10 dinner she
/ looked AT him With different eyes. She
was surprised and little frightened
70 see how i'll he looked He never
was very strong she knew, but he
looked worse than usual, and there
was such an expression OF hopeless.
ness on his face that her heart ached.
He hardly spoke, even to the children,
and when he did. his voice was as
hopeless as his face
While she was doing the dishes she
thought busily, She remembered how
the family used To be before Mary
died, Henry was cheerful and talka
tive, the children happy and lively
What was the cause Of the change?
She tried to think that II was because
OF Marys death. but her reason and
conscience denied IL, and at length
she saw Ii was herself Oh she
cried i am the most miserable per
sen in the world. | am no comfort to
myself and make everyone about me
unhappy"
She threw herself face down on the
sofa and wept long and violently
When she sat up and wiped her eyes
she set her lips with determination.
I'm change things. or perish in the at.
tempt" she said aloud
AS she looked about the cherries
rooms and thought OF all she must do.
and undo. a feeling Of deep detection
settled over her. She had an intense
longing for human sympathy and
counsel; bat who was there to whom
she could turn for aid?
Suddenly she got up and snatching
a shawl and throwing Ii over her head
she ran out of the house and across
the road. She would go and see Mrs
Preston. Henry had urged her to do
50 again and again.
She knocked at the door and d
CHEEKY voice babe her come ia. She
entered room which, in spite OF the
old and dilapidated furniture. still had
an air OF sunshine and good cheer.
In roekIng-chair beside a table sat
q very fat old lady She did not riss
when Matilda came in. but held out
her hand and greeted her with a smile.
Almost before she knew what she was
doing. Matilda had poured out all her
troubles to the old lady She began to
be comforted at once.
Tut 1t is such hopeless task, she
said Where shall begin?"
You must begin with yourself"
said Mrs. Preston. III you feel happy
and hopeful, why. the others will, too
You won't have to do anything else
and you don't know what difference
IL will make. I've seen that you were
making a mistake in keeping so much
to yourself. You must go about and
see the neighhors You may not like |
all of them, but If You try to interest
Yourself In them you'll get to liking
them a little. People are so depend |
ent on each other. my dear We can't |
get along alone, We've got to think |
about other peoples joys and sorrows
some. or We shall get morbid and mis- |
cradle
Matilda stayed much longer than
she had intended. and her mind was
so full OF Mrs. Preston that she |
talked about her all through supper
time.
Il told you you'd enjoy calling
there. said Hensy, triumphantly.
Suddenly Matilda bethosght hersel!
81 what she must do to make her
home pleasant She looked at the
faces about the table. Then she
stared harder Henry was looking
quite cheerful, the children were chat
tering happily. Could II be possible
that the charm had begun to work al.
ready?
Just then Henry looked at her, and
their eyes met In his there was an
expression OF newly awakened hope
She smiled at him little TREMENDOUSLY
In the weeks that followed Matilda
called on all the neighbors. At the
first there was a slight constraint, for
her neglect of them had caused some
feeling OF resentment: but when it
was found that she really had desire
10 become acquainted, most of them
'orgaye her freely. She did not find
many who were entirely congenial-
she had not expected it-but she
'ound that there was not one with
@hom she could not sympathize
There was one young woman who was
n the same state she had been in. and
Matilda coaxed her out for walks and
alked cheerfully to her, finally effect
ng a cure.
Matilda was still subject TO occas.
onal attacks of the blue devils; but
he found that a brisk walk in the
,pen air, or chat with Mrs. Preston, |
would drive them away, and that
when she returned. the trouble which
,6d seemed so gigantic would be re-
luced e tts proper size. In time she
anne to seefS an actual necessity to
he neighborhood
People asked her how she ksS3 so
Dung and happy. DO you want tho
ecipe2" she would say. Here it is: