The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1910-04-23

vices oei'
Receiving brief negative, she quickly Withdrew
to throw herself on the couch downstairs and pive
way to laughter
oh, it is such fun! and mother acts It ont 60
well IT she did forget about the dishes" she said
to her sisters
The next morning friend, who was in the secret
called in her carriage to take Mrs Herrick driving
with friends she wished her to meet"-who proved
to be two neighbors In the afternoon thew ali sat
quietly with their work on the piazza
One DAY Elise and her mother returned some calls
long oue' ana everywhere Elise explained that her
mother was visiting her, and begged them to cali
Friends planned to call different days and ep+ar
ing into the spirit of the thing, Mrs Herrick was
invited out informally than she had been for a
year. She thoroughly enjoyed it. and her hostesses
declared she looked ten years younger Elise rear
ranged the pretty gray hair in new STYLE which
she mad learned when away, and it proved vastly
becoming. Elizabeth and Marion did all the mend
ing, and Elise, who was unusually deft with ber
neeo4e, made over white dress for her guest so
that it looked like new. Elise tried to econom;ze
and yet have palatable meals, and she found a
certain excitement in her growing success
But both she and her sisters also realized as thew
never had before how much care, how many unex-
pected things turned up every day; how dull tbe
round OF household tasks may become in wears of
performance They could not understand this fuIl,,
new
impression of mothers duties and responsibilities
IN cookless household where straitened rne.rs
required the mot careful economy They had sun-
posed themselves well informed and helpful assis-
tants to their mother and Elise especially was most
capable; but 1t is very different thing to help an
ehclent housekeeper when other things do not inter
tere, and to have the whole care of household
Even now the care divided among three
although Elise took the lead; and Elzabetb brots
out one day, when Interruptions innumerabIe had
delayed the work. and the heat was almost unbear-
able; 10 think Of nanny going on this way for
years and years, and sewing for us and planning to
keep down expenses and trying to dress three girls
before Elise took of herself"
"And here I might have saved more and bouobt
her new dress. instead of just hat. I don't see
why and how my money goes So when I've always
been taught to econonize | must do better next
year," Elise said
And Elizabeth and I must help more at home
Even when we go to school we might do more
with some planning and extra effort" Marion
declared
Mercy" Elizabeth, who never could be grave
very long at time, laughed. "Just hear the reform
bills presented before the House of Herrickl If we
keep the millennium will soon arrive and we
shall all be grown-up angels. And here my maga-
zine awaits me- and Antonette La Rue is impatientlv
expecting Elise to go to the Macnaughtons' garden
party, and Marion must bend her mind to plan
to-morrow's breakfast as it is her turn I'm going
to forget that I'm one third Cinderella and enioy
my beloved 'Rebecca' while our guest lolls at her
ease IN her room. She certainly enjoys her visit
more than any guest we ever had" And Elizabeth
ran off with light heart.
The two weeks came to close; and Mrs Herrick
who had been driving with friend, drove up to the
gate, and was met by her family with welcome
which was far too heartfelt to be mere acting.
Marion flung her arm about her "Oh I'm glad
fC cypY H. -.
was pleasant and real lady, as Bridget used to
say; but have missed you'll Elise is the best elder
sister, but mothers so comfyp This was
unusual from the usually quiet Marion The other
two hovered about her as they all went into the
house.
"Well all joking aside girls" said Mrs. Herrick,
Il am so happy How well you have done! did
worry little over the expense, but / hear that
Elise met the extras with her own pocket-money.
and the regular expenses are as usual And what
rest IT has been to me you cannot thinkl am very
proud Of my girls, and I'm going to tell you
secret Mothers get rather blue sometimes. thinking
that all their sacrifice and labor is taken as matter
OF course, and charming little plan like this cheers
and comforts her immensely"
Elise planned it" said Elizabeth, generously.
But never could have carried it out without the
girls ! had no idea they were SO capable" Elise
The mother hurried out into the kitchen - os4
the supper She looked into the refrigerator There
was the fruit the cold sliced ham on the platter
Il believe shall have French toast She sthorob.
and then started. for Elizabeth stood by her side
I'm going to beat the eggs" that irrepressble
announced. You're not going to be out here alone
working think company is so enlvening and it
oils the wheels, even of silly ifteen-year-old And
mother. Marion and are going 70 have regular
tasks even when we're in school, Elise has talked
It over with u.s. We have always helped BY spasms
all pull together"
Elizabeth beat the eggs yiporousiv as che SANG.
!" United we stand, divided we fall"
But her mother did not answer as usual She
knew TINS daughters aversion to kitchen work. and
unexpectedly mist came before her eyes The
future years took on roster hue for she saw at
once fnat not only in the homely everyday tasks,
put IN the nearer. closer companionship she was
not to walk alone, but with three to help not hinder
One nad already taken her share of the burden but
r0W the others were to put their strong, willing
shoulders to lift It further and lol it was heavy
burden no longer, but Light as air.