The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-05-08

and hid behind the rankest limitations
of better things. Everything seemed
to have been purchased at the cheap
est booths at Vanity Fair. There We're
few things of substance. but many
things of vain and empty show. Had
Gloria been more skilled in reading
the world Alright, every bauble, every
useless ornament would have preached
a sermon. AS it was. there was for
her in large part only the interest of
novelty.
To the right of Gloria we're two win
dows looking out over the roofs OF
neighboriHg houses. Between them
was a SCARED maple dresser. 1t was
Uttered among other things with post
card photographs, business cards. a
calendar with a picture in many col
ors and a bottle of Florida water. Di,
rectly in front Of her was the sick
girls bed, a cheap iron affair with
massive furnished brass trimmings
Beyond it was a frail-looking trunk
painted in imitation Of leather. The
only things which boldly confessed
themselves to be just as represented
were two wooden kitchen chairs.
Looking close beside her Gloria saw
battered maple washstand and be.
yond it door which led into a closet
under the stairs. She glanced curl,
ously at the walls, which boasted some
cheap prints, most Of them showing
by the advertising matter upon them
from which whisky house they had
emanated Some of the girls waists
and skirts hung upon nails, but the
clothes which she had taken off the
night before on retiring were upon a
chair beside her trunk.
Il heard you were sick" Mrs. Hayes
said sympathetically, "and'I want to
know if | can do anything to help
you"
Little Ella viewed them with cold
antagonism. They were, not Of her
world and she both feared and hated
them
Nav" she growled. Then against
her real wishes something out of hel
old life made her add grudgingly
Much obliged"
Mrs. Hayes had worked too long
among such people not to understand
and she ignored the girls unfriendly
manner by asking: How do you fee
today?"
Rotten"
mo wonder; it's SO close in here.
think it would be better for you II
you'd let me open window, It's mild
out. May II"
60 as fer as yuh like; l don't feel
like fightin'."
A nod from Mrs. Hayes sent Gloria
TO open a window.
There now" exclaimed the younger
visitor. You'll feel better"
Gloria" Mrs. Hayes asked, so the
sick woman could not hear, do YOU
mind staying with her whileeI 60 to
the mission for a few minutes?
want Mrs. Wallace to come over II
she can; and the doctor, too, as soon
as can find him."
Certainly, I'll stay" was the prompt
response. What's the matter with
! her?'
Il can't say until I see the doctor
because I'm not sure. | want Doctor
Hayes to see her If | can't get him
I'll get Doctor Norton. You're not
afraid to stay"
Gloria smiled What was there to
fear? The girl surely could not be
come SO i'll in the short space of time
Mrs. Hayes should be away as to rem.
der her inexperienced nurse absolutely
helpless.
of course I'm not afraid" she re.
piled. Then lmpulsively, Besides,
want to do some good in the world
I've been toe selfish
mo, dear, not that" her companion
gently demonstrated 'Thoughtless
perhaps, because you didn't know, but
not selfish. Then she turned to Lit.
tie Ella and said in the same quiet
tone: u think you'd be happier where
there'd be some one to take care OF
you"
I'm not sick, I'm just tired
The ignorant fear sickness and dis.
guise it as long as they can, Sinking
the fight and thereby making it all the
harder. Understanding this, Mrs
Hayes answered lightly:
eff that's the case, / hope you'll en-
terrain my friend for me until return
She's interested in the work at the
mission"
You're on" Little Ella replied with
an air of resignation as Mrs. Hayes
left. the room. She rolled over on hel
side and closed her eyes. Already she
began to feel bored.
GRO BE CONTINUED)
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