Salome

s. Atherton. She possessed the power, rare but beautiful, of influencing others by herself, not by her words. She had remarkably quick insight into characte

with her dreamy, imaginative temperament, forced, as it were, to take

the sudden change from a prolonged St. Luke's summer to an early and sunless spell of winter

r our heart's dearest ones may not be needed long. Eva had taken a sudden and real liking for Ada Wilton. Her beauty and serenity had a charm for her. She liked to hear her play and watch her white hands on the piano. She liked to talk with her and to hear her vo

"Ada is so young, and ought to be going

ch. And there are drawing-masters and music-masters at Cannes. Oh, do let us

the excited light in her eyes made h

right to take her away from her mother; and yet it might be a relief in some ways.

re playing tennis, and going to picnics, and dancing, and enjoying themselves. I know I have you, darl

it, Eva. I must not

ton, who gave the plan unqualified approbation; an

ghost of her old nursery. Then Mrs. Wilton had been vainly trying to look over accounts. Her head and eyes ached. The weekly bills when multiplied by fifty-two would amount to far more than her small income. Raymond had asked for a sovereign, and how could she refuse him? Reginald had begged for his football jersey and cap

about, mamma; something ve

till the lamp is broug

mma-or ring for it-or po

Salome thought, who was reading to Hans and Carl in a low tone

velope, holding it towards the bright blaze Ada had brough

id when she had finished it, and turned back to the

" Ada said, drawing n

her post by the window and coming

lome's hand. She bent down, shading her for

my own child, and that I am of course answerable for every expense; and I will see that she has advantages in the way of music lessons and any others that may be available at Cannes. My Eva's life will be brightened, and she will feel the privations of her delicate health le

rine M

to go, Ada?"

ike it so much! I th

eal more on me. The children's lessons, and walking with th

ighed out; "and Lady Monroe will be a substantial friend.

full of untold delight. Then to escape from the tiresome lessons, the dull way of life, t

usiasm, throwing her arms round her mother. "I shall come ba

that way," said Salome. "You are ex

es first, and if Eva had taken a fancy to you, you would have

ere be any uncomfortable feeling. Th

another, that effort for others was in vain; that those who keep self and selfish interests well to the front are, after all, those who suc

o everything, and yet Ada is the most cared for. I believe mother does r

ng-room, where, in an arm-chair, by the dying embers of the fire, which was not a

ce as much to do-the children always on my hand; and I shall never be able to finish my s

get on without you, nor any one else either; so that is very certain. Come, Sal, don't be down-hearted. It will make one less here, and Ada

-day, I have-" Tears were just beginning to fall aga

k this morning, Salome? I say, she said she must have it to

eginald. It is not quite dark, not nearly dark out of doors. Will you come for me i

ly, be quick, for I want tea over early this e

ing her hands into a muff, with the newspaper crushed up mercilessly,

the grave, dignified man, who looked as much older for his years as his mother looked younger, and by re

Atherton was at home. Wo

ty; and Susan, after throwing a log on the fire, and

ly-arranged writing-table in one recess by the fire, a work-table in the other. Nothing fine or grand, no aspirations after "high art," though a few old china plates were hung against the wall, and the large

ream by the fire, and forgetting her vexation and tr

ton lent me," she began hurriedly, "to read a

benefit of a talk in her place." Mr. Atherton saw the look of disappointment in

, and then, fearing to

orrow, thank you. I da

reation. I may as well take it by talking with

s, a bright smile flas

she said, "as you as

s. I was thinking of you just before you came. I have a little class at the Sunday

e decided; that is to say, mother had not written the answer to the note when I came away; but I feel sure she will go, and as I

rge you; our first

r now. Ada helped with arithmetic and music.

oubled, and yet he did not press he

us all different powers. It is wholesome, however, to grind a little a

ening with interest; "unless you mean the n

mooth and pleasant, the other rough and thorny-let him choose the rough one, and in spite of pricks and wounds he wi

ome said. "When I look back on our dear, happy home at Maplest

ust take the day, and live it, as far as you can, in the

give-oh, I would give anything to get him back and to see him happy. Still, I can think he is at rest, and that God took him from what would have broken

the Great Healer. Would you not think it strange if people only sent to your uncle, Dr. Loftus Wilton, for great and dangerous ailments? His patients go to him with the small ones also, and often by skill the small ones are prevented from

d. She raced down the garden to the gate, where Reginald was waiting for her, and

ght young moon which was hanging like a silver bow over the church

you can, about four o'clock. I have been to see a dear little boy who is suf

he paper you lent

Good-bye," and Mrs. Atherton's alert steps were soon out

nd down at the back of Elm Cottage; it is so f

for Digby said something about comi

age took a sudden dip down towards an excavation from which stone for building had been taken some years before; but the particular vein had been exhausted, and the quarry was deserted, and made a circular o

at was Raymond speaking

saw two figures at the entranc

hink it is

Salome said. "Whom c

w," said Reginald. "I

," said Salome. "The worst of it is, one never

ld was

her ever say anything

least, n

telling tales. I think I ought to know, for there seems no one to lo

the same moment as Reginald and Salome, and he was always a cheerful and welcome visitor. The two fam

ad taken an affection for her. Louise would have liked very much to be the elected companion of Eva to Cannes,

r her to receive so much from her friends. My proud spirit could never be brought to do so. And she is not an economical woman. I notice she has had the crape on her dress renewed already. And I hear from Aunt Betha that

and prayed her to go," said Kate with indiscreet heat. "Real

sk Aunt Betha to come and speak with me? I mu

ldren, and she was right in the principle. If the differences of opinion were like