Ester Ried

an ordinary letter. It had been written to Ester's cousin, Abbie, her one intimate friend, Uncle Ralph's only daughter. Th

ke a small fortune to Ester, to say nothing of the endless additions to her wardrobe which would have to be made before she would account herself ready. So she contented herself, or perhaps it would be more truthful to say she made herself discontented, with ceaseless dreams over what New York, and her uncle's family, a

g for her. She did not see that her very desires after a better life, whi

d for one who was surrounded, as she imagined Abbie to be, by luxury and love, to be a joyous, eager Christian. I

ur, to feel myself at liberty, for just one day, to follow my own tastes and inclinations; to be the person I believe God designed me to be; to fill the niche I believe He designed me to fill! Abbie, I hate my life. I have not a happy moment. It is all rasped, and warped, and unlovely. I am nothing, and I know it; and I

llious outbreak was written simply for effect. Ester, when she wrote that she "hated her life," was thoroughly and miserably in earnest. When, in the solitude of her own room, she paced her floor that evening, and murmured, despairingly: "Oh, if something would only happen to rest me for just a little while!" she was more thoroughly in earnest than any human being who feels that Christ has died to save her, and that sh

for Ester's view a dainty envelope, directed in a yet more dainty hand to Miss Ester Ried. "Here's that wonderful letter from Cousin Abbie which you have sent me

he pantry to devour it; and for once was oblivious to the fact that Sadie lunched o

a flushed and eager face toward them, as she passed the letter to Sadie, with permission to read it

EAR E

ns, and new inducements, this time. We not only want, but must have you. Please don't say 'No' to me this once. We are going to have a wedding in our house, and we need your presence, and wisdom, and taste. Father says you can't be your mother's daughter

r the twenty-second; and we want you here at least three weeks before that. Brother Ralph is to be first groomsman; and he especially needs your assistance, as the bride has named you for h

not believe you will need so much urging to be with us at this time. I flatter myself that you love me enough to come to me if you can

g concerning him. Never mind, you shall see him when you come. Dear Ester, there

gh? Ester, I'm glad you are you. I wish I had corresponded with Cousin Abbie myself. A wedding of any kind is a delicious novelty; but a

it actually pale with excitement and expected disappointment, "

lars will buy a good deal besides a ticket to New York. Mother, don't you ever think

t see how she can be spared. She will need a great many things besides a ticket, and fifty

they would have been sharp and bitter ones-about never expecting to go anywhere, nev

e set my heart on Ester's going. I never expect to have an i

ble person when she is where we can't all lean upon her. School closes this very week, you know, and we have vacation until October. Abbie c

Sadie, at once her pride and her anxiety, might learn a little self-reliance

her eldest daughter. "But how could we manage about your wardrobe? Your black silk is nice, to be sur

act-suddenly shone out gloriously. She stood still, and actually seemed to think for a full minute, while Ester jerked a pan of potatoes toward her, and commenced peeling vigorously; then she clapped her hands, and gave vent to little gleeful

for Sadie; and this elegant sky-blue silk had been lying in its satin-paper covering for more than two years. It was the gift of a dear friend of Mrs. Ried's girlhood to the young beauty who bore her name, and had been waiting all this time for Sadie to attain proper growth to admit of its being cut into for h

Ester stood in mute as

comme

is it possible you are willi

t on its coming out this very season Just as likely as not it will learn to put on airs for me when I graduate. I'm not at all satisfied with my attainments in that line; so Ester shall take it to N

e. Perhaps that laugh did as much for her as any thing. It almost startled Mrs. Ried with its sweetness and rarity. What if the change would freshen and brighten her, and bring her back to them with some of the sparkles that continually danced in Sadie's eyes; but what, on the other hand, if she should grow utterly disgusted with the monotony of their very quiet, very busy life, and refuse to work in that most necessary treadmill any longer. So t

just wild to have her go. I want to hear how a genuine New York bride looks; besides, you know, dear mother, I want to stay in the kitchen with yo

about all these matters, and how little patience poor Ester, who was so competent herself,

ly think we must try to get along

two of them were at least theoretical believers in a "special providence," it never onc