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;> AN EASTER OFFERING i i. !â-  -' V "Nan, don't you think we ought to wak« those boys?" I There wus no re3p<jr.50 to this anx-; lous que.nion. "Nan, dear, you're not asleep? You're oiuy pretending to l^e. Wuite up! It's the most glorious Easter moniinjj." I Nan yawiwnl, rubbed her eyes, pusL- 1 ed her curly hair away from her face,' and then .°at up in bed and regarded Agnnf. sweetly. ! "That's a good K'rl! Nun, you're the only pors Ml I ever knew that looked pretty when they got awake. Now, ' keep iiwako for that nice little com-' pllment." - | Nan laughed and yawned and laugh- 1 ed again. ""Isn't it a beautiful Easter morn-{ '.r>?? Don't let 'jn; but Mark and I, colored two dozen egg's yesterday. I [ thought it wouldn't be Easter without colored eggs, and Clara is going to] boil the breakfast eggs in onion water I to make them yellow." ! "Pound on the door and wake those , boys," said AgTies. "They'll get up- for you, Nan." "I know it. Mark's got to get up, . anyway. He promised to help me. finish arranging the flowers." I And Nan applied her two small fists ^ to the door of the boy's room withj great vigor. I "Yes! Hello, there! What an awful | racket! Nan, is that you? I'd give you particular fits, if it weren't Sun-| day, and Eastor Sunday, too." i "Well, you just get up and come; over into the church with me. We. must fix those floweis before break- fast. vCome, now, that's a dear boy!" Mark bounded out of l>ed. "Is Bert awake?" Nan called. "Bless you, no! But he scon will be â€" just a.-s soon a.s this sponge ab-j sorbs enough cold water, and I apply i it to hia cranium." | "Will you, indeed? Well, you won't! get the chance. I'llâ€"" | Nan losFtho last of this speech, but ' had a suspicion that it was cut short ^l' ^ well-directed blow of the pillow • with which Bert crushed Mark and the sponge together. j Half an hour later, Nan was run-, ning across the churchyard, singing; for very joy of the sunshine, the soft ^ west wind and the blue sky that spread ^ Mke a blessing over the newly-awak- ened earth. i The tender grass upon the graves was of a vivid green, and here and there great clumps of wild violets made the ground purple. i Nan stopped and picked a few, and put them in her belt It seemed to, her that even the thick, dark ivy on the old church this morning looked j young and fresh. i She put the great iron key in the old-fashioned lock of the door. The massive oak door swung slowly open,' and Nan stepped out of the light and I color into the gray gloom of the church. ) For a moment her eyes, dazzled with â-  the morning sunlight, could see no- • thdrtg. Then the stained glass win-, dows shone out like gems in the dark- ness, and Nan saw that the simlight' was pouring through the great east window and staining the lilies below It red and purple and gold. She went . very softly up the aisle to the chancel rail and began to twine-a long rope of ^ smilax about it. When she had ar- ^ ranged it to her satisfaction, she turn- ed her attention to the jars of lilies. "You great, beautiful things," she said, looking up at the stately white stalks. "You are just like queens, dressed in white and green and gold. But you're dreadfully heavy to lift, j I wish Mark was here!" ' "Speak of angels," said a voice be- hind her, "and they immediately ap- pear." I Nan turned to see Mark standing on the chancel steps, with a huge bunch of white lilies in his arms. "Oh, aren't they lovely? Where did they come from? "QJd Doc Winslow sent them from hfis forcing-house. Father said they were to* be put in the brass vases. Bert's bringing some water over." i . "What's .A.gne3 doing?" 'l "Boiling eggs yellow; and I wanted her to put soma of our colored ones on the table to eat hard; but she was afraid father would think w^e were very frivolous to waste so many eggs." Nan laughed. •'To tell the truth, I don't know what we'll do with them, now they're colored. I suppose we can take them to school to eat for lunch. Here comes Bert with the water. He's spilling it MP the aisle." I "You'd better huny," Bert said. "Breakfast is almost ready, and I'm hungrry as a bear. I hope father won't â- ay a long grace thi.s morning." j "If he has a human heart, h« won't," Mark i-eplied. "Simply state, when you sit down, that you're in a Starving* condition, and he will no doubt take the hint. Nan, I can't make theso lilac-1 stay in. Can't you fix, th«n?" "You poor boy! You're no better, than old Jimmy, the sexton, at fixing iknrers. Ho can never â€" " "There's tho breakfast bell." inter- 1 rupted Mark, with scant politeness. "Now for eggs. How many are you going to eat, Bert?" "Half a dosien, more or less. Nan, thoM lilac* are simply perfect ! They â- eem to fall right into place when you touch them." "Thanks! Let's hurry over now, or father will v.onder where w« are," 'Tm sut« rr9 couldnt bs doing a better work Ihan beautifying his church," Bert 8;iid. "There's the sec- ond ringing of the first bell. Some- body's gettinur impatient â€" Clara or father or .â- Vgnes," TK i three hurried across the church- yard and into the breakfast-room, where their father had already seated himself at the table. The Rt-viJrend Doctor Carter was a stately- looking man, with iron-gray hair, and dark eyes that had some- times a rather stern expression. Tho four children greeted him with great respect, and took their place.s silently at tho table. Then grace was' said, and when it was over two im- patient heads were raised quickly j from their plates. ( "I'm grub-struck," Bert remarked , to Nan, beginning to help himself to ; oatmeal. j His father, unfortunately, over- ! heard this declaration. "Albert," he said, "you mu.st break I yourself of that unpleasant habit of â-  using slan^. It is growing upon you, ' and it is extremely common." I "Indeed, father," Bert protested,' "there are times when slang just fits; | and," he ventured, "I heard you use it- the other day." I "I use it! What do you mean, A1-: bert? Explain to me, sir!" I "Well, you said to old Miss Jones, | 'I'll .seo you later,' the other day, when ; you were showing her out of the; study." I "I wa.s not aware of the expression ; being slang," replied his father, grave- 1 ly. "Agnes, my dear, you are putting threo lumps of sugar into my coffee j instead of two." "Oh, I beg your pardon! I was lis- tening to Bert and forgot." : "Did you take the lilacs into the' church, Mark?" asked Doctor Carter, addressing hi.'? younger son. j Mark looked up from his oatmeal. "Yes, sir; and Nan fixed them in i the vases. They look stunning!" | " 'Very beautiful' would be a better j expression. How does the church look?" he added, turning to Nan. | "Never saw it look better. The lilies makoi a fine show. I suppose the church will be crowded," she went on, "it's such a lovely day." "I've no doubt there will be many missing faces, even at the Easter ser- vice," said her father. Breaking his egg. "There's one woman whom I know is not bringing up her large family in the right way. It is Mrs. Sterritt. She has not been to church for five or six Sundays, and I scarce- ly expect to see her this morning." "But, Father," observed Agnes, "how can she come? She has eight children, you know." "Four boys a'nd four girls," enum- erated Mark. "And three of them are very little kids, and there's a baby that cries all the time. Anyway, it's always crying when I go by there." "Don't you see?" Nan said. "The big ones have to stay at home to take care of the little ones, and the poor mother has to take care of them all." Mr. Carter shook his head. "Where there's a will there's a way," he quoted emphatically. "But, Father," Agnes urged "you're a man and you don't know what work eight children mean. They mean sew- ing and cooking and washing from morning till night." Mr. Carter smiled in a superior v.'ay, but made no reply; and Agnes, rot knowing what else to say for the sake of her cause, let the subject drop. But after breakfast she said to Nan: "Let's go to Mrs. Sterritt's before church and talie the children some col- ored eggs." "Oh, let's!" agreed Nan. "I'll get a basket for the eggs. ^ Maybe the boys Vfill go with u.i for the sake of tho walk." Within fifteen minutes the four were walking along the one long, elm- shaded street of the village. Agnes carried the basket of eggs, and Bert a lily plant, that had been crowded out by its taller sisters. "I think father's too hard on Mrs. Stferritt," said Agnes. "Of course, be- ing a man, he can't understand how hard it is for a woman with eight children to get to church." "I suppose she won't get there this m.orning," replied Nan. "The t:;'Xton says the Sterritts are dreadfully poor, but that they don't let on because they're .-^o s espt'Ltabie." ! put in Mark. | Nan suddenly stopped in her walk. "I have a brilliimt idea! I^et's ."^end â-  Mrs. Sterritt and the older children to; church, and let us four stay and take care of the babies and get the dinner." : "What a lark!" Mark cried. "Let's i do it." Agnes looked almost frightened. | "Oh, could we? Do you think fath- 1 er would like it?" "Father? Didn't he want Mrs. Ster- ritt to go to church this morning, and won't he be glad to s?e her there?" urged Nan. "Oh, it will be fun ! We'll ! wash and dress the children and send them off, and then we'll take posses- 1 sion and do a lot of work for the poor i When they caught sight of the minis- ter's children, they rushel pell m«U Into the house, crying: "Mom, mom! Here comein the ladleit that was here the other day!" The, next moment little Mrs. Ster- ritt appeared in the doorway, rolling down her sleeves and smoothing out her apron, and '.<x)kin!r half-deMghled and hall-frightened at the sight of Agnes and Nan coming up the garden- walk, with Bert and Mark, bringing up the rear. "Agnes was spokeswoman. "Good mi/i ning, Mrs. Sterritt!" she said. "We havo come to bring tho children some eggs and to seo if you could go to church this morning." The little woman's face brightened, and then fell. "Well, that WHS good of you, Miks ' Agne.", to think i.f the children. Th-.-y'll I be delighted with the eggs. I'm sorry you saw them before they were wash- ed and dressed. I haven't had one minute since sunrise to look after them." "But can you go to church?" said Nan, eagerly. "I want to go, the vVorse way; but I can't go this morning. Baby's cross, and, as I said before, the children ain't washed or dressed yet; there's dinner to get." Nan's eyes sparkled. This was just what she wanted to hear. "But you must go!" she insisted; "and take Georgie and Mary and Wil- lie and Katie. |The music will bo lovely, and there are lots of Easter lilies; I arranged them myself." "I don't seo how I can," Mrs. Ster FURNISHING THE SMALL HOUSE The house which it Is proposed to course, by the use of yellows or light, is used iu the draperies auil uyhoUtor^ furnish is to belong to the $6,000.00 to ' colors of this nature. Ing. It .should also be of a darker liuo ritt repeated, with a little sad shake' $7,000. iM) class, and taking the present I The best treatment for tho Kitchen ^ than tho wall,s to sustain the balance of her head. j day prices as a basis for size. *ould is paint, which will not ak^orb the of tone that is verj- desirable In the "Oh, but wo do!" said Agne.t. "Now,! contain" eight rooms, namely, Living odora and greasy spots that are cer- ' successful decoration of all hous«e. If listen! Go get your own things on,! Room, Dining Room. Breakfast Room tain to be the trial of the occupant : this Is not considered a very disturb- and we'll help get the four rarger| and a Kitchen on the ground floor, and ' when a paper is used. It can be easily 1 lug e.Tect of â- top-heaviness" Is the re- children ready, so the'y can go, too; ^ three Bedrooms end a Sunroom on the washed, and Is very much moro sani- j suit. and we'll stay and take care of the second. babies." "And i In every case, where the occupant do all the housework be.jj,j^ ^^ existing den^oratlon to Inter- sides, spoke up Mark, fired with sud-ifg^g ^^.^j ^„y schemes that Ue may den zeal to he.p the good cause along. ; j,^^^ proposed, attention should at "And get the dmner,' added Bert, I ^^^^ j^^ Erected to the walls. The with all the assurance of n life-long ,,j^„<, ^f ^ ^ouse, with few exceptions, cook. form the largest spaco to decorate and, Mrs. Sterritt looked at them in a „£ course, must be considered easen- bewildering way, and gave a little : ti„i,y ., a a bacltground for any further g.isp of surprise, but was too astonish- ed to say anything. "Now go, please, and get ready," Agnes urged. "Bless your dear hearts, I couldn't! You girls couldn't look after the chil- dren â€" oh, my, no! What would your father say?" "But he wants you to go, Mrs. Ster- ritt. He said so this morning. And we'll take care of the house and the babies, .so you can go with an easy mind." Mrs. Sterritt could not resist this sort of argument. Forced into going, by the combined urgings of the four young people, she was soon getting her poor belongings together, in a half-reluctant wayâ€" smoothing out the black ribbon.s of her little, old bonnet, and shaking out the folds of her one black alpaca gown, which was old as eld could be, but whole and scrupu- lously neat. "Give me the baby," said Mark, lift- ing tho eight-months' infant from the lap of its twelve-year-old sister. "Now you run off and get ready for church. And be a good girl while you're there. Don't talk, and do sit stiil in sermon- time." Bert grinned. "Hear Mark lecturing the child, and look how he holds that poor baby! decoration In the way of drapes, car- pets, furniture, etc. Bearing this In mind. It naturally follows that the color of the walls should be- low In tone or, If pattern Is used, It must not be too overbearing In color or design. In the case of halls, however, whero there Is little or no furniture and very little drapery the walls can be of a. cheerful nature, but not effusively so. In a house of this size by the cp.reful use of the plainer papers the illusion of larger space is easily gained, for, when a paper of striking design is used In a small room, a crowded effect will be the result, and consequently win bo a source of irritation to tlie oc- cupant. Taking the Living Room, as in many houses of this type where the Dining Room is separated only by an arch with perhaps French doors dividing. It would not be out of place to paper both rooms with the Same paper, the paper in this case being a neutral "stipple" or a two-tone effect In an all- over design. Colors may run anywhere from a warm tan to a cool taupe, and a balance effected by the use of hang- lugs and carpets. By the use of neutral aohemes for walls no limitations arc imposed when tarj- than a paper. Tho color Is best ' Carpets of highly naturalistlo pat- kept as light afi pi>»slbl6. as this will ' tern had best be avoided, as an un- give added light to tho person working comfortable .sensation of walking upon therein. j a flower garden cannot be overcome. The Bedrooms afford Interesting! For the bedrooms, where a llgured treatmenia for either plain or figured ' ^^^ i^as been used, a plain hansing papers of small pattern. These had ! «' » color that has been taken from better be left to the Individual taste, i the papers is advisable. It form.s a some preferring pattern, others plain, I Pl^^sing contrast to the surronndmg but It should be borne in mind that ! P^^^ern and the effect Is restful. Tha over elaboration In the matter of color- 1 opposite treatment would b.- used in Ing and pattern Is not conducive to a ! '''^c*^* f ^ j^Plahi paper, restful state of mind, and a bedroom | For tho annrooai raw s-iik curtains. Is primarily a place In which to sleep lor curtains made of a guaranteed sun- fast fabric, are beat. Many patterns are available with a small all-over Tho Sunroom walls had better bo left as plain as possible as In most cases the wall areas are too cut up to j "B«™ °l "^ different thread In self-col- permit the use of pattern. I ""• ^^^ '"*â- ''» '^'^hly succoMful Sun- room draperies. The Bathroom where not tiled had better be painted, and llnlshwl with as hard a surface us possible, so that any moisture can eaijily be wiped off. Lighting is best affected by side- lights and the use of portable lamps. The centre fitting is being less used. Coming now to hangings, carpets ! and any iipholatery materials, we And ' that, if plainer papers have been used, we have a perfectly clear field In ' which to Indulge our taste for color, i The size of pattern should be In pro- portion to tho size of the room, and choosing from the many excellent pat- teriLs of chintzes or damasks, that are at present on the market should not and the other more successful form Is taking Its place. The effect of a quiet- ly lit room is much more soothing, and ^^ '^'""^"'t- I la easier to the eyes. Let us suppose that we have chosen \ pictures should be used sparingly, n chintz for the Living Room and a damt'usk for the Dining Room both pat- ' terns and on a plain paper; It l.s quite easy to repeat some of this pattern In i the siniill pieces of upliolBlered furnl- : ture. The large piece, namely, the i and then careful consideration given to the space they are Intended to oc- cupy. It will be seen limt the maxi- mum effect is gained by the placing of a picture on a plain wall. Incidentals such as cushions, pot- chcsterfieUl, had better be upholstered , tery and lamps are easily overcome, plain, and in a color fiat will har- i^rom such a source of color as we now monize with the chintz. For curtains ' u^vo the choosing of a note of accent next to the glass a net. sufficiently sheer not to obstruct the view from In- side, yet preventing ijutsido intrusion, or a raw silk curtain, is highly succe.ss- ful. Many pleas-iug effects can be gained by frilling and draping these curtains and it will be found to give a freer | treatment to the windows. can be settled by taking a color that we already possess and i'epe.itiug it In Its brightest and purest form In two or three places In the room, one large piece dominating and that placed In the most interesting spot It will then be .seen that harmony of color Is tho result, and the com- Carpets can either consist of one | pleted room is a source of satisfaction large or a number of small ones, pre- 'to the occupant and an object of ad- ferably plain where a patterned fabric' mii-atiou to tho.s« who visit him. He^s got its clothes all twisted about i the time arrives lor hangings and the its ears.'' jmany incidentals that make the human A solemn procession filed out of the i element in a room, house headed by little Mrs. Sterritt, The_Breakfast Room can be quite who was followed by four children, all ! a contract to this, thus assuring a with very clean, serious faces. j bright and cheerful aspect gained, of . "I'm so glad I don't know how to i tell you, and thankful as can tie, Missj ~ ~~~ .\gnes! Mr. Sterritt will be glad, too. going to wash and dress her. You can' side ofher, quiet as mice, sat her Ijoys to them, but only for a moment. As Poor man. he had to work to-day!" : help Bert tgke care of the otjjer one." j and girls. they drew near, she heard her father (Mr. Sterritt was a railroad brake- "Any assistance will be mc^t wel-| The hard-worked little woman felt saying: man on a "long-distance freight"), come," assured Bert, who was down on as if she was in paradise. The round-' "I will have the boy's voice trained. "Georgie, stop pulling out your tie, his knees playing hor.se with baby! eyed children gazed with delight at I had no idea he could sing so well." that Miss Nan fi.xed so pretty. Katie, ; number one, as he called him. j the beautiful flowers, and were per-' "You see, sir." Mrs. Sterritt ans- take hold of mother's hand." | Nan carried ofl' baby number two fectly quiet listening to tho Easter | wered. "I think he was that happy to "Be sure and tell the sexton to .show and sent the other two children out to music. ' .go to chu'-ch and hear the music that you into your pew," .-Vgnes called be taken care of by the boy.s, while' The sun shone through the colored he sang extra well. I have to keap him after them. "And don't worry about' Agnes tidied up the little rooms. | windows on the lilies, and every ono home mostly to take care of the little anything." j While the children were taking care seemed full of the jnv of the day. ' ones. Oh, sir, I can't thank you When Mrs. Sterritt and the four ' of Mr.s. Sterritt's house, Mrs. Sterritt; Mr. Carter, for some reason or enough for what your children have children had disappeared. Nan rush- her.self sat in the comfortable, red-! other, did not glance toward his pew ! done for me this morning!" ed out to Mark. ! cushioned pew which the minister's as h? went through with the sendee; ' "Thank them," .said the minister. "I "Give me the baby," .she .said, "I'm children usually occupied. On each and, when he did, it was because a 'hadn't anything to do with it. But â€" _. [clear, fresh child's voice drew his at- we'll see that you ^et there oftener ^ ^ ' Mention. j now." ] Little Georgie Sterritt ioved music,' That evening the four children sat ancW when the Easter hymn was sung, '>ut on tha porch overlooking the he joined in, and his clear, bird-like churchyard. A golden after-glow of j voice rose above the others. ! sun.set was in the west, and the even- I Mr. Carter looked around, and In ing wind was stiving the grass upon his pew saw, not .\gnes and Na:i, Bert t^o graves and lifting the ivy leaves ; and Mark, but a tir<.'d-looking woman, on the old church walls. â- with four bright-faced children, one^ i on whom was .singing with all hi:; ; heart and sou! woman iK'fore she gets back; and she'll be so glad! She said only the other day, to me, she wished she could get to church on Ea.ster Day, but she didn't see how .she was going to man- ago it" Agnes was almost won over by this speech of Nan's, and quite so when a turn of the road brought them in sight of Mrs. Sterritt's little hou.se; for two or three small children were playing before the door, and their appcar.<ince suggested to .\gnes the transforma- tion that soap and water might effect "It's Mrs. St?rritt! But whe?e are my boy.s and girls?" Ke ran his eye over th" large con- gregation, hu' failed to discover Agnes' sweet, serious face, or Nan's "It has been the happiest Easter I've ever spent," remarked Agnes, "even though I didn't •:. -t to church myself." "I know enough about taking car« of babies to hire out as a nurse," said Mark. "There's father," B-crt announced. bright one, or Mark's with its merry "Where has he been?" expression sobered for th? time bring, "To mother's grave," replied .Xnges, or Bert's, with the grave look that ho softly. "He went to lay some Easter always wore in church, and that made lilies there." people say he was the image of his! Her father J^arjJ.what she said as father. ' he drew near tnem. "I catjnot account for it," thought] "I wish she were with us this Eas- Mr. Carter, "l will have to see Mrs. j tar night," he said quietly. "I think Sterritt after church." she would be very proud of her chil- For he had a vague feeling that his dren. Their father is." children's absence was in some way or other connected with her presence there. Of all the customs reg!.nhng Eastet c-ggs. the one which creates the most An hour later the minister's chil- , pleasure and fun is tho Easter morn- dren were astonished to see Mrs. Ster-; ing egg hunt. Grown nsen and womea ritt coming toward the house accom panied by their father. For a moment Agnes wondered what he would say who were brought up in the country always look back to tho Easter mom*, ings of their childhood ciaya.