Year: 1860

"Oh. don't think Bridget will have so
very much TO do" said Sophy, cheerfully.
1--WE will systematize our work after awhile,
and hope We shall go on smoothly"


Not to weary the readers patience, Sophy
succeeded nobly. She found It pretty hard at
times; occasionally she almost wished she had
never undertaken to disturb "mother's' SOW
erelgn sway. Sometimes Mrs. Clinton let
things 60 on quietly, then again she would
make very provoking and contemptuous re-
marks. She bad begun life on narrow means,
and 1t was only through close economy that she
and her husband had been able to bring up
their family and lay by comfortable property.
She thought Sophy was awfully extravagant
and predicted that Alfred would be completely
ruined; she also made numerous observations
about people that were such great "ladies -
that she did not feel herself fit company for
them; she thought such folks had better have
staid where they were, and Tot have come
among those that were beneath 'em. These
things tried Sophy awfully. Many time she
ran up to her own room and shut the door, for
fear Of saying something she would be sorry for
afterward. And then she would feel as if there
was no use in trying but good ''cry' gener-
ally relieved her, and she would start afresb.
cOmtorted always by the remembrance of Al
fred's promise. One thing was very strange;
was there magic in it? The little blood mark
on her cheek varied always with her feelings
was she quiet and happy, it was pale and
sIgn'; but when her anger was aroused against
the offending mother it glowed like n spark
OF IRE. Sophy had an uneasy fancy that it was
token OF guilt, something like the brand oe Cain


But by by Mrs. Clinton found that moth
Ing went to wreck and ruin, though the best
they had was used in common; she found that
all the household machinery worked well,
though she did not step into the kitchen; and
that, spite of his wife's extravaganza, Alfred
wa; not bankrupt nor likely to be. She grew
to Interfere less; to say few sharper things
even to admit that Sophy was better house.
keeper than she had ever been, Having once
been relieved of ''care," she found it yery
pleasant; she had her time to herself; she read
and made visits, and rode out frequently, and
enjoyed II all. Her feelings toward her daugh-
ter-ln-law softened a good deal; she said to
Alfred that Sophy had grown much prettier
Iatterly, and that she was an excellent wife for
MIN although she played the piano so well and
never mopped floor in her life. And when
there was prospect Of an addition to the fam
lily she grew really tender: so careful Of Sophy's
health, so interested i'll all the little skirts and
dresses, and tiny preparations. She even re-
vlved her long forgotten skill in embroidery
and worked blanket for the stranger which
was the envy of all the mothers of the neigh
borhOod. And Sophy as they sat together
often looked at the old lady's still handsome
face, now bright with kindly feeling, and felt
her heart go out to her as she never would have
thought possible. She realized that mother
had known many troubles; she had buried
the husband Of her youth and four dear chill
dren; she was aged, she had few pleasures,
little to look forward to life She was glad TO
be able to make her declining years easier and
happier. Day by day the little mark grew
psler.


At last the baby was born; plump, rosy,
boy, hailed by none more delightedIy than his
grand mother; she cried with joy that Sophy's
suferings were over; she laughed with joy that
the baby was a son, that he had his fathers
eyes and his mothers smile.


Alfred sat at his wife's side one morning
why, darling" he said "your current Jelly
mark is gone entirely; your cheek is clear as
ever il was"


Sure enough it was so; and better yet, the
last touch of rancOr had disappeared with it
from Sopbyls heart.