The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-01-23


heard her mothers latch key in the
front door. Then she started up and
went downstairs with a rush.
Her mother did not think Il any
thing strange when Doris gave her
hug, though II was more emphatic than
usual, but when Doris helped her
with her wrap and hat, and made her
sit down and have her rubbers taken
off-the ground was damp from a re-
cent rain-she did look surprised.
Doris scanned her mothers face at
the tea table, and choky feeling came
In her throat and made II hard for
her to swallow Why, oh. why had
she not noticed before how pale and
tired and worn her mother looked? She
hardly ate anything, either, and small
wonder, for the toast was burned, the
baked apples only half done, the tea
had been boiled and the milk to put
in 1t was sour. Everybody looked mis-
cradle, Aunt Clara furtively wiped
away tear once in a while and Dot
fretted.
Mrs Wilkes came to the rooms this
afternoon and wanted me to come to-
night and stay with her sick daugh-
ter" Doris mother said as she rose
from the table and began to wheel
Aunt Clara into the sitting room.
You're surely not going?' Aunt
Ruth exclaimed.
Eyes, promised I'd come"
you ought not to go, Annie" Aunt
Ruth protested, almost in tears. tits
too much, with all the other work you
have to do. You can't stand IT,"
Ordinarily this conversation would
have received but scant attention from
Doris Now 1t alarmed her and she
strained her ears to hear what her
mother would say, for they had passed
into the sitting room.
Il begin to think / can stand almost
anything" The tone was a little bit.
ter, which was very unusual.
Are you still breaking your heart
over not being able to send Doris 10
college?" Aunt Ruth asked in low
tone, and little reprovingly.
Doris could just catch her mothers
low spoken answer, How can / help
It, when she wants so much to go?"
In few minutes Doris followed the
others into the sitting room. Dot was
climbing into mothers lap, and teas
ing for a story in the whining tone
she had used all the Afternoon.
Leave mamma alone, Dot" Doris
exclaimed, almost roughly. Then with
sudden inspiration, Come up stairs
and let me put you to bed, and I'll tell
you two stories
When she came down half an hour
later her mother was just wheeling
Aunt Clara to her room to put her to
bed. MAY / go, too?" Doris asked
impulsively. Il want to learn how to
do It,"
Certainly you may" Aunt Clara an
swered, "Td be so glad If you could
take me on your mothers hand once
in a while and give her a little re-
spite"
'Tm afraid the lifting will be too
hard for you" her mother said, anxi-
ously.
Doris laughed. She was nearly six
inches taller than her mother and ten
pounds heavier, and prided herself on
being athletic. Tell me just how"
she said, "and hands off,"
you did 1t as well as any one need
to-" was Aunt Clara's verdict when
she was fixed for the night,
You are very thoughtful tonight, |
dear" her mother said, as they left
the room together. Nov, I'll mix up |
a batch Of bread and get the kindlings
ready and hide the kerosene can so
Norah won't see It to light the fire
and lock the cellar door, and--oh, / |
must change the buttons on Dots new
Shoes"
SHOW me how, mamma, and let me
do it ALL" urged Doris, and again her
mothers gaze rested on her wonder
ingiy.
Mr. wilkes came for Mrs. Eastman
just as Doris was sewing on the last
button
What has come over Doris? her
mother and her two aunts asked ach
other as the days went on. "She hardly
allows me to lift my hands to do any
thing when am at home" her moth
er said, with tears in her eyes she
helps me so much, too" said Aunt
Ruth. "she really seems to want to
learn to do things" "And she gets
along so nicely with Dot ami is so
cheerful" said Aunt Clara "The house
seems a different place"
Perhaps they al doubted & this