Winner Stories

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let you spoil me, or I shall not be fit to go back to the home
life, and I want to go home much more fit for it.
Something in the spontaneous warmth and confidence of this speech
cheered Mrs. FaneSmith. She wished above all things to win her
niece's love and confidence, and she wisely reserved her proposal
as to the matter of a home for another time. It was necessary,
however, that she should give Erica a hint as to the topics likely
to irritate Mr. FaneSmith.
I think, dear, she began, it would be as well if, when my
husband and Rose are present, you are careful not to speak of your
father. You won't mind my saying this; but I know it displeases my
husband, and I think you will understand that there are objections
society, you know, and public opinion; we must consult it a little.

Mrs. FaneSmith grew nervous and incoherent, threw her arms round
her niece's neck, kissed her most affectionately, and wished her
good night.
When she left the room, Erica's repressed indignation blazed up.
We fear it must be recorded that she fairly stamped with anger.
Wounded in her tenderest part, indignant at the insult to her
father, ashamed of her own want of control, miserably perplexed by
her new surroundings, it was long before she could compose herself.
She paced up and down the richly furnished room, struggling hard to
conquer her anger. At length, by a happy impulse, she caught up
her prayer book, checked her longing to walk rapidly to and fro,
sat down on the Indian rug before the fire, and read the evening
psalm. It happened to be the thirtyseventh. Nothing could have
calmed her so effectually as its tender exhortation, its wonderful
sympathy with human nature. Fret not thyself, else shalt thou be
moved to do evil. Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and be doing
good. Put thy trust in Him, and He will bring it to pass.
She closed the book, and sat musing, her anger quite passed away.
All at once she recollected old Elspeth, the nurse. Her father had
charged her with many messages to the faithful old servant, and so
had her aunt. She felt ashamed to think that she had been several
hours in the house without delivering them. Rose's room was close
to hers. She went out, and knocked softly at the door.
I just came to see whether Elspeth was here, she said, rather
dismayed to find the candles out, and the room only lighted up by
the red glow from the fire.
Rose who had had no temper to conquer, was already in bed.Still in
your dress! she exclaimed. I believe you've been at that

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