The Chautauqua Girls At Home

rosses. There are Ruth and Flossy; what do they know about annoyances or self-denials? Such homes as theirs and such occupations as theirs have very little in common with hard, uncong

sses are a fruitful condition of the Christian life.' I

he actual truth was that Flossy's shadows began on S

entleman had been a more frequent or more enjoyable guest at her father's house. Indeed, he was so familiar that he was as likely to come on the Sabbath as on any other day,

ter Flossy had gone to her own church. So her first meeting with him sin

"You are more than usually devoted to the First Church, are you not? I saw you in the family pew this morning. I felt certain of being in time to take you to the South Side to-night. S

preciated it. To either of those it would have been an actual satisfac

own church service regularly after this, and would therefor

ral, and would have been so easy, to have murmured a word of regret at

But had not he shown her, as plainly as though he had looked down into her heart and seen it there, that these pleasant, courteous phrases which are so winning and so false were among her besetting

e been sweet and patient and tender to the listless, homesick school-girls, and kissed away half their gloom, and though

s loth to lea

bath-school I was certain after that effort, I should find you at home, rest

a certain degree conscience triumphed. "I have not been very often, it is true; but I intend to reform

at her curiously

of your experience i

y said simpl

er a little, but something in the tone o

ght part of the work of those gatherings was to teach fe

churches, and nobody has reason to expect me at any of the

rst choice that must determine one's s

her's house. The gladness did not last, however. There hung over it another cross. This Col. Baker had been in the habit of being invited to enter, and of spending an hour or more in cosy chat with the family. Nothing confidential or special in th

Evan Roberts had said in answer to a wonderment from her that so l

after what they call the Sabbath is past. Do you know there are hundreds of people, good, well-meaning-in fact, Christians-who seem to think that the old Puritan rules in regard to hours hold yet, in part. It begins at eight or nine

e often sat and chatted with Col. Baker at the close of what had been to her an irksome day, and felt th

ild! Ruth would have said, and her calm, clear voice would not have hesitated over the words; "Col. Baker, I can not ask you in this evening, b

e trembled too much, and her heart beat too hard. The very most that she could do was to keep her lips closed. No invitation from he

re to even notice the omission now. Though Flossy paused and turned toward him he did not notice it, but himself opened the door for her and passed i

oyed. If only she dared go directly to her room! If she h

Kitty Shipley and her suitor were having a confidential talk. Kitty wouldn't help, then. Mrs. Shipley had retired, and Mr. Shipley sat at the drop light reading the journal. He glanced up at their entrance, gave Col. B

and blessed experiences of the day, for this day had helped her much. She wanted to think about those boys in the school, and form plans for their future, and try to

e curiously, and with a doubtful sound in his voice. "I d

ng that ever happened to me in m

y there sat her father. Who could tell when his interest in the Times would cease, and he give attention to her?

it otherwise. She began to wonder if she and Col. Baker really had any ideas in common; yet Col. Baker could talk with gent

into the background. Charlie had been to hear the choral, and Col. Baker was very anxious to know as to its success. You wo

ral? I thought you were coming for

ss Flossy had already betaken

issed the

nd went in search of your sister, to discover if I could w

ent occasions. The very most that she had thought about it had been, that it was making one's self very conspicuous. She didn't believe she would like to do it, even if she were a man. But to-night the action

he attraction?"

ugged his hand

arpest and bluest efforts. That poor man has the dyspepsia, I feel certain

ark one of Flossy's silvery laughs, which, to tell the t

hose soft blue eyes of hers. He did not know what to make of this Flossy; he was feeling the change in her more decided

he sermon

it of possessing a more tender heart. Frankly, then, I didn't. I

eam of mischief in her eyes. "Because, if you did, I should have tho

aid, with an attempt at gayety, which but half concealed the evident annoyance that he felt.

but whether it was the sermon that should change, or the life, in order

ie, laughing; "you'

a change in the sermon. Oh, Dr. Dennis is a good man; no one doubts it; but he is too severe a sermonizer. His own church officers admit that. He is really driving the young people away from t

out knowledge or thought as to their meaning; but the truth was, he cared so little about church and Chris

s? It is a pity that Ruth or Marion had not been there to take up the theme; and yet it is doubtful if arguments would have had any weight with him. The truth