The San Francisco call., 1910-07-17


them she saved them to wear to church.
What would she do? Just to think or
her old dress and no gloves! Tears
flooded her eyes and she could not get
the lace fischu Off. as it was caught In
a hook on her dress.
She heard the girls trooping down
stairs to join the gayeties, but she
stood there, working nervously at the
lace and wishing she had never
dreamed of coming, and yet trying to
muster up the courage to go down to
the parlor.
"Can I help you any, Helen?" asked
Mabel Irwin as she started toward the
door.
'No-I-I-thank you," she falter-
ingly answered without turning her
head and all the time trying to un-
fasten the lace
"Well, I'll go down. then. Come on,
Edwina You are ready, aren't your
"I'll be ready very soon, but do not
wait for me. TIL follow in few
minutes"
IT want to look into the parlor for
minute and I'll meet you on the stair
way" said Mabel as she left the room.
Only a moments hesitation then
Edwina crossed the room to Helen's
assistance. "Allow me, please, to help
you 1t is so much easier for me to
see than for you"
How lovely she looked in her pale
blue crepe. with a bunch Of tea roses
at her belt She was SO graceful and
so much at ease as she tossed her
kerchief and fan upon a chair She
disentangled the lace. then going to
pretty bag drew forth a pair of gloves.
TIN sorry you forgot your gloves.
but we can manage that very nicely.
Put these on; they are just your size
I have two pairs in my bag, and / am
SO happy to find can be of service to
you. You must let me divide my roses,
too, have so many" She took the
bunch from her belt and dividing them
held them against the lace shawl.
"They look lovely in this soft lace"
said Edwina. There, is not that
pretty?"
Helen could scarcely tell how it all
happened, but she had pinned the roses
on her breast and smilingly contem-
plating the effect. had put her arm
around her waist, kissed her cheek and
left her.
Helen stood bewildered. A lump in
her throat choked her and tears filled
her eyes. On her hands the pretty
gloves and the fragrant roses on her
breast, both reminders of kindness
unexpected and surprising.
More guests coming into the room
with chatter and gay laughter aroused
her from her reverie.
Good evening, Helen: how sweet you
look" said one. what beautiful roses
said another where did you get
them?" said still another.
"They were a gift from very sweet
GIRL" replied Helen as she stepped in
front of the mirror to view herself
What a change the gloves and roses
had made in her appearance. and how
this act of consideration had changed
the channel OF her thoughts for the
evening. She felt the world had sud
denly changed and the cloud that had
lowered upon the early part of the
evening had turned it's silver lining to
her. How happy she felt as she de-
scended the stairway and Joined the
merry crowd in the pariors. And just
to think she owed ii all to Edwina
Kirk. the girl from the city. Surely,
the road to perfect happiness is meas
ured by the golden rule.
When Helen returned home at mid
night she found Marjorie was still
awake.
IT couldn't go to sleep Helen. / was
so anxious to hear what kind of
time you had; but come nearer and let
me see those lovely roses. Where did
you get themT'
"You could never guess" said Helen
"One OF the sweetest girls / ever met
gave them to me, and she will come to
call on us tomorrow"
"You are talking as though you
wouldn't reveal her identity. DO ex-
plain yourself. Who are you talking
aboutT" exclaimed Marjorie. "Tell me
quick. Helen. I'm all curiosity now"
Whom should i mean but Edwina
Kirk, the girl from the city" answered
Helen.
"You don't mean TO tell me that
'stuckup' girl gave you the roses and
is really coming to call upon us. Why,
she is the one you were hoping would
not be at"
ftOh dop'f Aapioria aoos. tota- ~
that and repeat what 1 so foollshly
said. for i am ashamed OF myself and
shall cultivate a different disposition
in the future"
And then she told her all about the
party