Year: 1865

| full mood it seemed sud, terrible thin,
1 to die without having taken any part in tht


work of life that would leave modicum o
| good behind


| win begin at home tomorrow" she


whispered If do my duty asa child ant
as a sister first, | can then Try to enlarge my
sphere of usefulness Henceforth my ain
i shall be to cast aside self and make my
own happiness and ease "a secondary mat
| ter.


| Maria opened her bible that night, hel


neglected bible, with an interest she had


never felt before, and, kneellng beside hei
| bed. her heart broke out into the first pray


er that had crossed her lips since she had
/ outgrown childhood and set at aaught hel


mothers counsel and example.
1T wasnot easy for Maria to shake off sleeI


an hour earlier than usual the lext morn
| ing; but the sun had not long been trying tC


force its way through the closed shutters o.
! her room before she was up aHddressed fol


her new day work, firm in tie trust that
| If Watchful the way Of usefulness would be
opened to her feet. She went doEn to the


breakfast room, leaving her sister sill asleep.
Her father was just sitting down u his NOR
ming meal alone.


Now, this is pleasant my daughter" he
said, IN answer to her CHEEKY gDod morn
ing. 1T seems desolate to eata alone, and
your motheris i'll with one Of Aer severe
headaches How bright you. eyG are this
morning. guess you enjoyed ypur even
ing p


Very much, father. Let me pour out
your coffee and, Nora, you see tlat there
is a strong cup of tea for mother.


Maria slipped quietly into her mother s
place, but not without catching a glimpse Of
her fathers pleased countenanes, upon
which lay also a slight look of w9noer


BE quiet, George, and close the door
softly, for poor mamma has another of her
dreadful headaches, she said to her broth
er, tall, manly fellow ofhtteen, who boun-
ded in from The garden, boy-like, as if the
whole world Were,depending upon his having
his breakfast at that moment.


Mr.. Willets made a hasty breakfast, and
started for the city 1t had never crossed
Maria mind before how closely her father
confined himself to business, how weary he
came home often, and she was such an ex-
trayagant daughter with little thought
fulness upon her part, perhaps he might
find more leisure and rest. Both parents
had often realized this. But Maria was
selfwilled, and it was hard to cross her
wishes.


"Oh dearl' followed Mr.. Willet's exit,
from the bps of George, as he took the last
sip of coffee, and pushed back from the ta-
bic. Father is always so hurried. He was
looking over accounts ali last evening, and
did not get time to work out that problem
for me. 1t is hard work studying alone.
wish We had stayed in town longer, SO |
should not have so much tomakeup to keep
along with my classes. y


George chair gave a sudden bang as it
turned over upon the floor


Perhaps might do it for you, sugges-
ted Maria.


You wouldn't, was George blunt re-
ply, casting an eager look into his sister s
face


Bring your book, and let me see.


George brought his algebra quickly, with
a pleased SMILE and, opening it, pointed to
the difficult question. A little explanation
from Maria set him upon his right course,
and his face cleared up as he glanced down
the page and found he could 90 on without
farther trouble.


L might help you every morning, George
if you would Ike Icould have little school
Of you and Mary till you get up with your
classes.


Maria rose to go to her mothers room.


THAT would be jolly / get sick of puz-
zIng out the old sums. You are a dear, good
sister this morning. / wish"


The boy checked himself


Wish what ?" asked Maria averting
her head


''Oh nothing. was going to say I wish
you were always so but that wouldn't be
fair


Maria tapped his cheek playfuly. She
could not be angry at his frankness, for she
knew it was something quite strange to take
any interest either In his lessons or amuse-
ment, but she determined the more strongly
that the happiness of her home should be
her constant aim.


Her mother was lying with flushed cheeks
one hand pressed tightly upon her aching
head, trying in vain to find refreshment in
slumber The sun shone brightly in at one
window, and lay across the bed, nearly blind
ding Mrs Willets in her lain.


Poor mamma L am sorry you are suf-
fering again Maria stooped and kissed
the burning brow How hot your head isl
| must be your nurse now, and charm away
the pain. .


She closed the blind softly, and, bringing
cool water to the bedside, bathed the throb-
bing head and smoothed it with a soothing
pressure. She poured the tea with her own
hand, and held it to her mothers ips and
after gently arranging the disordered room,
she stole to the bedside to find her mother
sleeping sWeetly She dropped tear as she
stood looking at the face, grown very white
now that the fever flush was driven away.


Dear mother, what wicked, ungrateful
child have been. [ have cruelty repulsed
your love and tenderness, and let self come
between you and happiness. Yesterday. |
would hardly have thought of coming to see
you, but would have gone on drumming up
on the piano, thoughtlessly torturine your
nerves, and let the children runEild through
the house But, God helping me, viii
henceforth be true daughter


She passed from the room, gently closing
the door May was Just through breakfast,
and ready to be amused She was not in the
best of temper after lying awake so long the
previous night. She missed her kind moth
er and would not speak in answer to her
sister kind good morning, but insisted
that she would 90 to her mothers room


Don sister May want to help dust the
parlors and then we will go out and help
George weed the flower beds. Father would
be delighted to know his little girl was try
ing to help"


May was always glad to be employed, es
pecially in something older persons did, so
she fourished her feather duster vigorously,
and beside amusing herself, diverted Maria
till work seemed almost ike play.


Maria S earnest purpose caused, quite a
throughout the entire house
hold She could hear the servants talking