The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-12-12

--S
would go down and amuse herself at
the piano, when she noticed Brown
/ ing calendar, and the sentence for the
day caught her eye: BE sure they
sleep not whom God needs"
| 1t would be impossible to describe
/ Helen's thoughts for the next few
minutes. sFor an idler and dream
| er, she had an active and receptive
mind; and surprise, incredulity and
bewilderment chased each other
through her brain. She rose and pre-
pared to go out, and, presently was
seated face to face with Miss Lee, the
leader of a circle of Kings Daugh-
tiers, whom she respected and loved
but whom, alas. she seldom saw, for
she rarely attended the circle meet
ings
Helen poured out the story of her
mornings experience, and ended say
ing: browning says, BE sure they
sleep not whom God needs It must
be that God needs me and Is making
1t plain to me that I must Wake up!
Now how am I to do 1t, and what does
| 1t all mean?"
A glad light shone in Miss Lees
eyes, as she answered: at means,
dear, that you have been too long
occupied only with yourself, looking
! in as it were, and the call has come
! for you to Look out! Look up! And
lend a hand.' This is all, and if you
obey this call, you will find plenty to
! do"
! Helen's stay was brief, but she
went home animated for once by
purpose. It gave a spring to her
step and light to her face. First,
she went to her mother and put her
self in sympathy with that dear one
by learning her wishes concerning the
! them out, not forgetting meanwhile
to "doe the nexte thynge," as Miss
| Lee had advised. She put fresh wa
ter in the vases, turned the cards of
the Daily Food" to the proper date,
shook up the cushions, looped back
the curtains and gave the numberless
dainty touches to the invalid's room
that cannot be expected of a house
maid.
| Downstairs she saw so much to do
she scarcely knew where to begin.
The bird had her first attention and
Dick was so grateful he seemed ready
to burst his pretty throat in song.
Then the plants were given a drink
and the withered leaves were remov-
ed; the books on the library shelves
were put in order; her fathers writ
ting table was arranged to his liking;
the bric-a-brac in the parlor busted.
and her scattered music neatly piled
in the cabinet.
When the luncheon hour arrived
she was punctual at table, and seat
ed in her mothers place to pour her
fathers tea; she did not know Wheth-
er there was more surprise Or glad
ness in his face to see her there so
full Of helpfulness and animation
She carried the tray, spread daintily
by her own hands, to her mothers
room, and later called the children to
the nursery where she showed them
how to make things" Ralph was
to construct footstool for Stebbins
of bit Of carpet-covered board, with
coat-hooks for legs, and Amy was al
lowed to cut prints from a pile of
miscellany for the making of a pic
ture scrap-book for children's hos
pital; then her piano practice must
not be neglected, and so the day pass
ed and bedtime came finding the
young girl only tired enough to enjoy
rest.
Other days came and went, and
oh, how the duties called her, but the
wonder was that she found so much
pleasure in answering the calls. Even
if it had been otherwise the generous
appreciation of her efforts by those
she loved would have repaid her low
ingly and her father came to trust
her and depend upon her in many
ways.
One afternoon when sitting with
her mother, who was now almost
we'll, she said: Mamma, sleeping
and dreaming were we'll enough in
their way, but I like being broad
awake much better. I have come to
enjoy being in the thick of things"
Her mother quoted:
81 slept and dreamed that life was
beauty,
walked to find that life was duty"
eyes, mamma, life is duty. but
duty is beauty" The Interior.