The new South-news., 1908-12-05
A
FORTUNATE
MISF0R TUNE.

sesssecz,sceseocs esess soc x
Miss LogeJoy had been at hor
brothers house but li.llc more than
week, yet already rhe had to con-
fcss 10 a vague feeling OF dinappoint-
mcpt
She had not seen her brother and
his wife for more than scvcn years.
during all of which abe had longed
Tor thom with the homosick intensity
of the exile. The anticipation OF this
Homecoming had chcorcd her through
many n drenry term OF teaching; yet
now that reality had taken the place
of anticipation. she found something
lacking.
The old homo was sim the same,
and her brother and his wife were as
Kind AZ ever. but during this time OF
separation their only child had grown
from childhood almost to woman
hood. and with the growth had come
change In father and mother which
made poor Aunt Ruth feel like an
allen and a stranger.
The merry. open-hcartod brother
had become quiet and chre-worn.
The bright. pretty, cultivated sister
ln-la~. an dear TO Ruth as II united
To her by tics OF blood instead OF mar
rtaxc. had faded into nn almoat shah.
bily-drcEssd drudge whose only pur-
pose ia life seemed to be To keep
hnxers bed OF roses free from thorns
Both had been as glad as possible
fo see their xclf-relsant. independent
Western sister. but Il scomed to Ruth
as II their principal interest was in
noting the effect upon her OF Hazol's
grace and iiazel's beauty aud Hazel's
accomplishments. That had been
The constant thome of conversation
when Mr.. Loveioy was not too prooc-
cupicd TO talk ut all or his wife had
nm infrogucnt moment OF leisure.
Now Aunt Ruth was quite ready
TO admit that tho grace and beauty
and accomplishments were there. but
the greater grace of helpfulncss and
hlial gratitude seemed TO her both
lacking and unlocked for. Nor was
me kirl wholly or even principally TO
blame. No return had ever been de-
manded OF her for all that had been
given, and the Idea Of giving unashod
was yet unborn.
y Ruth's own few gentle attempts Mt
rcmonstrancc had been met with such
an air OF mild surprise. such earnest
disclaimers on the part OF the par
cnt.. that she had seen the fp'ility OF
woros anu resolved to say no more.
She did not wish TO bc Regarded as
meddiesome and disagrooable.
Just now she was feeling paricu-
larry out OF sympathy with the con.
ditions. AS she won't steadily on with
the dishes she was washing, she could
hcRr her niece chatting in animated
fashion with caller In the parlor
She know that IL was MIR. Bennett
tho young man who had called II
thc afternoon TO see 81 Hazel woult
sing AT pnrlnr concert TO be given n
the Young Mons Christian Associa
tlon rooms tho next week.
Mrs. l.oyeloy had answered the bel
aud informed him that Hazel wa
out: but Hazel herself, WHEN sh
came home from her drive with STR
friend. had spoken OF meeting him
and told as a great 'okc about hi
remark that "hc would call again 4
the evening. as the servant had as
surod him she would be in thon"
III the child had only seen wha
IL meant" sighed Aunt Ruth TO hes
self
but even Haxol's mother ha
laughed he matter on. althoug
rather consciously and with flush
and when Hazel had smiled aud said
Never mind. mamma dear. Whe
! get 60 be a prima donna yoa sha
have all the servants you want" III
smile and the foolish promise ha
salved the wound efiectually.
As the young people talked an
laughed together In the parlor, Rut
could hear llazels mother movin
softly about upstairs. putting
rights In her prompt. mothodic
way the things which Hazel had lie
HcAttcred about when she made h
toilet and hurried down TO meet h,
caller.
Then by and by door opened. al
suddenly there was the sound of
fall and suppressed cry OF pail
and Miss Lovejoy. rushing out. -four