Part 5 (2/2)

”Humph!” said Harry, glancing carelessly down the page. ”There's nothing in such a story. I don't want to read it. It is too flat.”

”You are mistaken,” replied Flora, spiritedly. ”It's not a bit flat, and there is something in it. It is about a brave boy who saved a train.”

”Oh, yes, I know,” said Harry, skeptically, ”and was not hurt.”

”Yes, but he did get hurt. Why not read it, and see?” suggested Flora.

”Yes, read it, Hal,” said Alec; ”let's see what it is, anyway.”

”All right,” and Harry began to read with a comical nasal tw.a.n.g, very rasping to Flora's feelings, but she had the wisdom to say nothing. She was very glad, later, because Harry gradually dropped the false tone, and she could see by his manner that he had become interested, in spite of himself. Alec too, had ceased whittling, and was listening intently.

Forgetting to criticise, Harry read the entire story, which, in truth, was a pathetic little incident, very gracefully and entertainingly told.

He was silent, as he laid the paper on the table, but his thoughts were busy.

”I was right, was I not, Harry?” asked Flora.

”Yes,” drawled Harry, smilingly, ”you were. I did enjoy it, and I am glad you asked me to read it. But, let me see,” he added, turning to the clock, ”what time is it? Well,” and he laughed, ”I was good. It is nearly ten. Guess I will retire; I was going out, but it is too late.”

Flora was secretly rejoiced to hear this, but she simply said, ”Good-night.” She felt a glow of satisfaction as she realized a beginning had been made toward gaining the hold upon her brothers she so much desired.

”Flora, will you lend me that paper?” asked Alec, as she was preparing to go to her room. Flora willingly placed the paper in his hand, remarking, as she did so,

”I am glad you like the story. I have others, if you want them. Aunt Bertha kept me well supplied.”

”Good night,” returned Alec, and he was gone.

Flora was more nearly content than she had been for some time, as she sank into peaceful slumber that night.

CHAPTER VI.

SOME RESULTS.

”I believe I am going to realize some of the dreams I used to have, after all,” Flora said to herself, as she laid her head upon her pillow that night.

She was right. The first step had been taken by her in the path of becoming an earnest worker, and to influence those about her as she had planned she would like to do, although not in such a way as this, nor in such surroundings. Her cherished dream of being instrumental in leading others into a higher and better life was now, she began to realize, leading her into the lines of duty in her own home, and among her own people. She could not wish for more.

She would not be like so many others, who in their desire to do great things, neglect the opportunities near at hand, and who, in longing to lead the heathen to a higher plane of life, forget those at home, who possibly for want of a word or act, have slipped, stumbled, and fallen on life's pathway.

Flora was growing, and with an earnest prayer to the Christ for guidance, strength, and tact, she cheerfully a.s.sumed more duties in the home, and greater responsibility. Her bright, sunny disposition, her pleasant face, her extreme willingness to respond to requests, gradually won a place for her in the hearts of those in her home.

The cla.s.s in Sunday-school was a.s.sumed with a feeling of great apprehension. It was composed of five girls between the ages of ten and twelve. At first sight of their youthful teacher, these girls had been inclined to be displeased, but when they grew to know the sunny, sweet good-nature, born of the great desire to do them good, and which shone out of the earnest eyes, they loved her dearly. The teaching of this cla.s.s was fraught with great good, both to the teacher and scholars, and this meeting with the eager, bright girls was soon eagerly looked forward to by Flora from week to week.

”How things have improved at Mr. Hazeley's!” soon grew to be a common remark among the neighbors.

”Yes, since Flora came home, it has become very different from what it formerly was,” would be the spirit, if not the words of the reply.

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