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ELEANOR H. PORTER ILLUSTRATIONS BY RH. LIVINGSTONE. COPYRIGHT BY ELEANOR H. PORTER CHAPTER VIII-Continued. -19 He saw me. And, oh, how I did love the look that came to his face; it was so surprised and glad, and said, "Oh! You!" in such a perfectly lovely way that I choked all up and wanted to cry. (The Idea !--cry when I was so glad to see him!) The next minute he had drawn me out of the line, and we were both talk ing at once, and telling each other how glad we were to see each other. But he was looking for Mother-I know he was; for the next minute aft er he saw me, he looked right over my bead at the woman back of me. And all the while he was talking with me, his eyes would look at me and then leap as swift as lightning first here, and then there, all over the hall. But he didn't see her. I knew he didn't see her, by the look on his face. And pretty quick I said I'd have to go. And then he said: "Your mother-perhaps she didn't did she come?" And his face grew all red and rosy as he asked the question. And I said yes, and she was waiting, and that was why I had to go back right away. And he said, "Yes, yes, to be sure," and, "good-by." But he still held my hand tight, and his eyes were still rov ing all over the house. And I had to tell him again that I really had to go; and I had to pull real determined at my hand, I efore I could break away. I went back to Mother then. The ball was almost empty, and she wasn't anywhere in sight at all; but I found her Just outside the door. I knew then why Father's face showed that he hadn't found her. She wasn't there to find. I suspect she had looked out for that. In the afternoon I went to walk with one of the girls; and when I came in I couldn't find Mother. She wasn't anywhere downstairs, nor in her room, nor mine. nor anywhere-else on that floor. Aunt Hattie said no, she wasn't out, but that she was sure she didn't know where she was. She must be somewhere in the house. I went upstairs then, another flight. There wasn't anywhere else to go, and Mother must be somewhere, of course. And it seemed suddenly to me as if Id just got to find her. I wanted her so. And I found her. In the little back room where Aunt Hattie keeps her trunks and mothball bags, Mother was on the floor in the corner crying. And when I exclaimed out and ran over to her, I found she was sitting beside an old trunk that He Saw Me. was open; and across her lap was a pef-ectly lovely pale-blue satin dress ll. trimmed with silver lace that had grown black. And Mother was crying and crying as If her heart would break. Of couse,' i tried and tried -to stop her, and II begged her to tell me what was thdmttr. But I couldn't do a thing, ait as.thlng, not for a long time. hen I 'happened to say what a lovely ~rsa only what a pity it was that the aee a; ail black. -ai sald yes, it was all black-tar ~ ;lbe; and that it was just like every atg that she had had anything to do -s.. -traished; her tie and her mar `jg. , Fathers life, and mine e was tar1ahed, just like that ver on that dress. And she had. Sf her. thoughtless alfsbsB es' .self uitduIc 'we sudsad tred" to ,teA m n't;, and ihs et a ,bit. and that she 1 t er, the nalr cried all the more, and shook her head and began again, all choked up. She said this little dress was the one she wore at the big reception where she first met Father. And she was so proud and happy when Father -and he was fine and splendid and handsome then, too, she said-singled her out, and just couldn't seem to stay away from her a minute all the eve ning. And then four days later he asked her to marry him; and she was still more proud and happy. And she said their married life, when they started out, was just like that bdautiful dress, all shining and spot less and perfect; but that it wasn't two months before a little bit of tar nish appeared, and then another and another. She said things went on worse and worse-and it was all her fault. She grew sour and cross and disagreeable. She could see now that she did. But she did not realize at all then what she was doing. She was just thinking of herself-always herself; her rights, her wrongs, her hurt feelings, her wants and wishes. She never once thought that he had rights and wrongs and hurt feelings, maybe. She said a lot more-oh, ever so much more; but I can't remember it all. I know that she went on to say that by and by the tarnish began to dim the brightness of my life, too; and that was the worst of all, she said-that innocent children should suffer, and their young lives be spoiled by the kind of living I'd had to have, with this wretched makeshift of a di vided home. She began to cry again then, and begged me to forgive her; and I cried and tried to tell her I didn't mind it; but, of course, rm older now, and I know I do mind it, though I'm try ing just as hard as I can not to be Mary when I ought to be Marie, or Marie when I ought to be Mary. Only I get all mixed up so, lately, and I said so, and I guess I cried some more. Mother jumped up then, and said, "'Tut, tut," what was she thinking of to talk like this when it couldn't do a bit of good, but only made matters worse. And she said that only went to prove how she was still keeping on tarnishing my happiness and bringing tears to my bright eyes, when certain ly nothing of the whole wretched busi ness was my fault. She thrust the dress hack into the trunk then, and shut the lid. And she began to talk and laugh and tell stories, and be gayer and jollier than I'd seen her for ever so long. And she was that way at dinner, too, until Grandfather happened to mention the reception tomorrow night, and ask if she was going. She flushed up red then, oh, so red! and said. "Certainly not." Then she added quick, with a funny little draw ing-in of her breath, that she should let Marie go, though, with her Aunt Hattie. It was the only chance Fa ther would have to see me, and she didn't feel that she had any right to deprive him of that privilege, and she didn't think it would do me any harm to be out this once late in the evening. And she intended to let me go. TWO DAYS LATER Well, now I guess something's doing all right! And my hand is shaking so I can hardly write-it wants to get ahead so fast and telL But I'm going to keep it sternly back and tell it just as it happened, and not begin at the ice cream instead of the soup. At the reception I saw Father right away, but he didn't see me for a long time. He stood in a corner, and lots of folks came up and spoke to him and shook hands; and he bowed and smiled -but in between, when there wasn't anybody noticing, he looked so tired and bored. After a time he stirred and changed his position, and I think he was hunting for a chance to get away, when all of a sudden his eyes, roving around the room, lighted on me. My I but just didn't I love the way he came through that crowd, straight toward me, without paying one bit of attention to the folks that tried to stop him on the way. And when he got to me, he looked so glad to see me, only there was the same quick search Ing with his eyes, beyond and around me, as if be was looking for somebody else, just as he had done the morning of the lecture. And I knew it was Mother, of course. do I said: "No, she didn't come." "So I see," he answered. And there was such a hurt, sorry look away back In his eyes. But right away he smiled, and said: "But you camel rve got you." Then he began to talk and ,tell stories just as if I was a young lady to be entertained. And he took ~pe over to where they had things to ekt, and just heaped my plate with chicken patties and sandwiches and olives and pink-and-white frosted cak-mand Ice cream (not all at once, of course, but hi order.) And Ib ada perfteetly beat tat time And Ptather seemed to Ike p pretty well. But after a while he ,grew sober again, and his eyes began, to rove all around the room. He took me to a little seat in the corner afterward, and we sat down and began to talk--only Father didn't talk much. He just listened to what I said, and his eyes grew deeper and darker and sadder, and they didn't rove around so much, after a time, but just stayed fixedly at nothing, away out across the room. By and by re stirred and drew a long sigh, and said, almost under his breath: "It was just such another night as this." And of course, I asked what was- and then I knew, almost before he had told me. "That I first saw your mother, my dear." "Oh, yes, I know !" I cried, eager to tell him that I did know. "And she must have looked lovely in that per fectly beautiful blue silk dress all sit ver lace." He turned and stared at me. "How did you know that?" he de manded. "I saw It." "You saw it!" "Yesterday, yes-the -dress," I nodded. "But how could you?" he asked, frowning, and looking so surprised. "Why, that dress must be-seventeen years old, or more." I nodded again, and I suppose I did look pleqsed; it's such fun to have a secret, you know, and watch folks Then He Began to Talk and Tell Sto ries, Just as I If I Waa a Young Lady to Be Entertained. guess and wonder. And I kept him guessing and wondering for quite a while. Then, of course, I told him that it was upstairs in Grandfather's trunk room; that Mother had got it out, and I saw it. "But, what-was your mother doing with that dress?'' he asked then, look ing even more puzzled and mystified. And then suddenly I thought and remembered that Mother was crying. And, of course, she wouldn't want Fa ther to know she was crying over it that dress she had worn when he first met her long ago ! (I don't think wom en ever want men to know such things, do you? I know I shouldn't!) So I didn't tell. Father had begun to talk again, softly, as if to himself: "I suppose tonight, seeing you, and all this, brought it back to me so vivid ly." Then he turned and looked at me. "You are very like your mother tonight, dear." "I suppose I am, .maybe, when rm Marie," I nodded. He laughed with his lips, but his eyes didn't laugh one bit as he said: "What a quaint little fancy of yours that is, child-as if you were two in one." "But I am two in one," I declared. "That's why I'm a cross-current and a contradiction, you know," I explained. "A what?" he demanded. "A cross-current and a contradic tion," I explained once more. "Chil dren c.f unlikes, you know. Nurse Sa rah told me that long ago. Didn't you ever hear that-that a child of unlikes was a cross-current and a contradic tion?" "Well, no-T-hadn't," answered Fa ther, in a queer, half-smothered voice. "I suppose, Maryf we were-unlikes. your mother and I. That's just what we were; though I never thought of it before, in just that way." He waited, then went on, still half to himself, his eyes on the dancers: "She loved things like this-music, laughter, gayety. I abhorred them. I remember how bored I was that night here-till I saw her." "And did you fall in love with her right away?" I just couldn't help ask ing that question. Oh, I do so adore love stories! A queer little smile came to Father's lips. "Well. yes, I think I did, Mary. I just looked at her once-and then kept on looking till it seemed as if I just couldn't take my eyes off her. And after a little her glance met mine and the whole throng melted away, and there wasn't another soul In the room but just ns two. Then she looked away, and the throng came back. But I still looked at her." (TO BE CONTINUED.) Gentle Reminder. "After a man is elected to office he onuht not to forget his friends." "It never happens," replied Senator Sorghum. "They never let you fta set." MEXICAN BEETLE SPREADING .FAST Already Established in Several Southern States and Expect cd to Migrate North. RESISTANT CROPS WILL HELP Insect Feeds on Many Table Beans and Other Legumes-No Satisfac tory Means for Control Has Been Discovered. (Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) Cropping and cover-cropping meth ods in the South are likely to be rad ically affected If the Mexican bean beetle lives up to the predictions made by the bureau of entomology of the United States Department of Ag riculture. It is expected that the bean beetle, which is already estab lished in 36 Georgia counties, as well as in 35 in Alabama, 34 in Tennessee, 2 in Kentucky, 2 in North Carolina and 3 in South Carolina, will prob ably be distributed southward, and westward to the Mississippi river, as well as following the main direction of spread, northward to the Michigan and New York bean areas. At points in Tennessee where it was found only after close inspection in 1921, the beetle is now causing great concern among growers. Aids in Solving Problem. A study of the situation and some experimentation in advance, in plant ing resistant crops, are recommended as aids in solving the problem for the fruit grower and general farmer. Cer tain legumes, including the mung bean and the horse bean, have been found resistant to the bean beetle. The immature beetles or grubs do not feed on the velvet bean, and the adult beetles often starve if no other food Is present. The food plants of the Mexican bean beetle are so important as soil Ing and green-manuring crops in the farm practice of the southern states that the future of southern agriculture Is seriously imperiled. The insect feeds on many table beans and other legumes, including snap, lima, pinto and navy beans, soy beans, hyacinth beans, cowpeas and cultivated beggar weed, and occasionally on sweet clo ver and alfalfa. In Colorado and other western states where the Mex ican bean beetle has existed for years the attacks have been confined prao tically to table beans, and not over two generations or broods are pro duced annually bets een June 16 and September 15. In Alabama, however, four and even five generations have been observed with continuous breed ing from the latter part of March to the first of November. If the bean beetle gains a foothold in Florida from five to seven generations might be expected. Study Made of Pest. The bureau of entomology main tains a laboratory at Thomasville, Ga., in addition to the one at Birmineham, Adult Mexican Bean Beetles at Work. Ala., for the study of this pest. No satisfactory recommendations for con trol, other than changes in cropping, have yet been worked out, although the department has been studying the problem since the discovery of the pest in Alabama in 1920. The Mexi can bean beetle threatens to become even more serious in effect than the gypsy moth, th% hessian.fly, the Eu ropean corn borer or the boll weevil. The total money valure of crops de stroyed is not less than $100,000,000 annually, of which damage to table beans alone is at least $50,000,000. TIME TO CUT SWEET CLOVER If Allowed to Blossom and Mature Stems Get Woody and the Leaves Will Shatter Off. As a rule, sweet clover should be cut just as the blossom buds appear, because if allowed to blossom and ma ture the stems get woody and the leaves shatter off. The height .t cut tfng is important. In order to get a second crop the second year the first crop of the second year's stand should be cut eight inches above the ground. This is because the plant does not propagate from the crowns at this time, as alfalfa does, but from buds on the lower portion of the stalks. So if the first crop in the second year Is cut too low so as to nip off those lit tle branches that bear the shoots, theren simply wi act be a.y seca d IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL Sunday School ' Lesson ' (By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.. Teachter of English Bible In the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.) Copyright. 1922. Western Newspaper Union. LESSON FOR AUGUST 27 NEHEMIAH'S PRAYER LESSON TEXT-Neh. 1:1-11. GOLDEN TEXT-The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -Jas. 5:16. REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ex. 32:20 32; I amn. 7:5-11; M.Btt 9:37, 38; Acts 1:12 14; Eph. 3:14-21. PRIMARY TOPIC-Nehemiah Talking to God. JUNIOR TOPIC-The Prayer of the King's Cupbearer. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC -Prayer as a Preparation for All Under takings. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC -Prayer and Power. I. Nehemiah Learns of the Distress of the Captives (vv. 1-3). 1. When (v. 1). Twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes (2:1). The month Chisleu corresponds to our December. It was while perform ing his duty as cupbearer to the Per slan king. While in this important position there entered into his heart a desire to honor God and do good to his people. A young man can be true to God in any position in life if he sets his heart on Jesus Christ and communes with Him by prayer and study of God's word. A man may be elevated to a high position, prosper in business, and yet live a life un spotted from the world. 2. By Whom (v. 2). His brother Hanani and certain men of Judah brought him the news. His inquiry shows that though he was prosperous he did not forget his unfortunate breth ren. We should never let our success and well-being shut out sympathy for the oppressed and suffering. 3. The Nature of the Distress (v. 3). The wall of Jerusalem was broken down. Its gates were burned with fire and the remnant of the captives were in great affliction and reproach. II. Nehemiah's Sorrow (v. 4). The news of his brethren's distress greatly moved Nehemiah. He sat down and wept and mourned several days. He fasted and prayed before God. God's people are so essentially one that <the affliction and shame of the one 14 the affliction and shame of all. No one will ever do much to help a distressed people who does not deep ly feel their desolation. Nehemiah's sorrow was not the kind that says "I pity you" and goes on in ways of sel fishness without making an effort to help. True pity expresses itself in an effort to help. Ill. Nehemiah's Prayer (vv. 5-11). He knew where to go for help. He took the matter upon his heart to God in prayer. The first and best way to help others is to pray for them. Nehe miah did not merely pray; he left his place at the Persian court and jour neyed to Jerusalem and took hold with his own hands. Our prayers and tears must be translated into definite action if we 'would be of real help to others. Note the characteristics of this prayer. 1. Its Worshipful Spirit (v. 5). He recognized God as the great and ter rible One, the Lord God of heaven. True prayer shows that spirit of wor ship. 2. Its Ground (v. 5). It was on the ground of covenant relation that He besought God. On this ground all who are in Christ Jesus can come and plead before God. 3. It Was Persistent (v. 6). He prayed day and night. God Is pleased when His servants are persistent in their pleadings with Him. Those who understand the covenant relation will be importunate in their petitions. 4. It Was Accompanied by Confes sion of Sin (vv. 6, 7). In this confes sion he mentioned definitely his sin (v. 7). We should specify the sins which we have committed. Most peo ple when praying are too general in their confessions. 5. He Pleads God's Promises (vv. 8, 9). In our prayinjg we should remind God of His own words. It is when His words abide in us that we can intelligently pray (John 15:17). If we would be successful in our praying we should fill our minds with God's promises. 6. He Pleads Relationship (v. 10). He reminds God that they were His children by redemption. Those who are in Christ are God's children by redemption through His precious blood. The child has a claim upon its father. God's children have a claim upon Him. 7. It was Intercessory Prayer (v.11). With'intense earnestness, he definitely prayed that God would give him favor before the king in order that he might be enabled to help his people. The king's favor was needed in order to enable him to help his brethren. God is able to move the heart of a heathen king and thus further His oin cause by means of the prayer of a humble servant. The Cunning Man. A cunning man overreaches no one half as much as himself.-H. - W. Beecher. God's Love. Behold, what manner of love the ia ther bath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.-I John 3:L. The Fool. To be a man's fool is bad enough; but the vain man is everybody's. WORN OUT AFTER SHE COOKED A MEAL Took Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound Read the Result Cincinnati, Ohio.-"I suffered for a year with nervous troubles and irregular ities before I took Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com pound. My back pained all the time and I was unfit for housework. I was worn out if I cooked a meal, and was un able to do my wash ing. My girl friends and my sister told me if I would take your Vegetable Com pound and Liver Pills I would be re lieved. After taking the first bottle I felt better, and neglected it awhile, but found I could not do my work until I was stronger. So I took the Vegetable Compound again and now I am the mother of a 19 months old boy. He is fat and healthy and I am sure I could never have carried him if it had not been for your Vegetable Compbund. I recommend your medicine to all women although I am young to be advising some one older."- Mrs. CHRIST. PErROFF, 318 W. Liberty St, Cincinnati, Ohio. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com pound contains no harmful drugs and can be takin in safety by any woman. SWEET DREAMS THE GREATEST MOSQUITO REMEDY EVER MADE Liberal Bottles 35e. Sold Everywhere. Southern Drug Co., Houston, Texas Distributors for Southern Texas coloU Cyour bat easily, quickly and safely by uising Q-Ban Hair Color Re storer. Safe to use as water. Makes you look young again. At all good druggists. 75 cents. or direct from HESSIG -ELLIS, Chemists, Memphis, Tenn. W. N. U., HOUSTON, NO. 34-1922. 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