The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-01-12


idea without waiting to see whether she would
let us not
Lovely" exclaimed Daisy, land we can
light it all up with the lanterns used for the
grove last summer. You've got them still,
haven't you, grandma"
"The lanterns are up stairs, Daisy, but the
old barn must be in q dreadful dirt; it hash {
been looked into since last winter" objected
grandma family. But seeing the disappoint-
ment in our eyes, she added: II suppose you
girls wouldn't mind sweeping it out yourselves.
You see we don't keep any hired help through
the winter, except one man for the cows, and
he'll be busy all day tomorrow fixing up the
south fence that's blown down."
II can sweep" announced Myra with digni-
fed egotism, and she was followed up briskly
by q chorus, $50 can l.
"Well there's one thing plain" remarked
Jack Bennett, seven if you all can, you all
mustn't. There must be somebody to make
wrea,hs and garlands, and hunt up lam
terms and make out a programme, and
you had better decide all that and then 60 to
bed if you want to be wise in the morning.
This was quite reasonable, like most of Jacks
ideas, and we proceeded TO act on it. "Myra,"
said Rose, .if you can really sweep out that
barn with anything like rapidity, vote for
you as president of the broom committee and
suggest that you select two girls to help you"
Carried by unanimous assent" sang out
Charlie Ollcott. and Rose being so far success
fully business-like was invited to proceed.
"Who will go for holly to Prisoners noun
but she met with no enthusiastic response from
the other girls, and Daisy demurely suggested
that 1.-The gen tlemen might like to-"
There q giggle at this, and manly dignity
being affronted, they decided to go, and
bring us material from time to time while we
worked busily at the decorations. Myra said:
Il will take Kate and Carrie to the barn, and
Wv. nm MOI wall vbict1aar
That wouldn't do you much good, dearie,"
laughed grandma, ''for the barn is right down
the hollow you know-behind the curve Of
Buttcrcup Hill, and we'd never hear sound
from you. l think three of you will be
enough-for the barn was cleaned out when
We built the new one, and you'll only have to
do thorough busting up in the loft, which
you'll find the best place to dance. The:foor's
pretty good and you'll have lots of room"
That was about all we could settle
then-so We said good night, and
departed to the funny bedrooms, perfumed
with the dried rose leaves, and kept in queer
China jars on every bureau.
Myra and l slept together, and we found
when we got up stairs that there was no can
die in our room.
Run down and ask grandma for one, Kate,
that's DEAR" coaxed Myra and with 3 grim
ace in the dark at her laziness, started; the
more willingly perhaps as knew her style
an hour alone in the dark.
was not timid girl, but my knowledge Of
the ways of convicts was limited, and the old
farmers communication had impressed me
more than would like to have acknowledged.
ran lightly down the stairs into the wide hall.
but there was lighted candle
in the empty sitting-room which borrowed
unceremoniously; but as / tnrned quickly from
the table the draught put it out, and just at
that moment noticed the front door was wide
open and heard voice on the porch. With a
thump at my heart / paused uncertain what to
do, and the voice coming nearer recognized it
as Charlie Ollcott's. gave shake half relief
and half impotence at my own folly. As crept
softly up the stairs heard him saying doubt
fully, "You don't suppose there's any real
danger about going on the mountain ?" and
Hiram's hearty laugh by way of reply. So this
was their Wanted bravery, I said to myself.
our room and confded the eaves-dropping to
Myra with q sublime forgetfulness Of
my own cowardly qualms. We had
been in bed about ten min
utes, and Myra, who never would talk
at night like the other girls, was breathing
with suspicious regularity, when there was an
unmistakable fumbling at our door and l
heard it slowly open. 'Myra," called, in a
shostly whisper, giving her an energetic
poke, They've come" "Who ?" she re-
joined in a comfortably sleepy way. Con
victs ~ l groaned. "Oh. no it isn't. It's
only IT, said a very small voice. which rec
ognized as Carries. Teddy had TO sleep with
his mother, and they put me all alone, 4"
walled the voice; @ was ashamed to say was
afraid but can't stand it another minute
SO l am here.'
Myra and I took the small cold thing in,
made sandwich of her and went to sleep
without further adventure. There is nothing
so conducive to bravery as the bright sun light
and we gathered around the breakfast table
without thrill Of fear in our hearts. The boys
were equipped for their tramp.
Away they started, Charlie firing this parting
salute, Now, girls, don't be afraid; nothing
will happen to us. We are an army for two
convicts to tackle"
We watched them out Of sight, that's an
Irishism, but never mind. Then, as the dec
orators could do nothing till the first load Of
greens arrived, 1t Was proposed we should
make q raid on the garnet for the Ian terms
Grandma called Myra to come with her for the
brooms and sent Carrie and me up stairs with
the other girls, where she said we would find
some old wooden balmorals to take the place of
our dress skirts. Better for walking and
working my dears." We brought them to
light and were having q good laugh at our
selves in them when Daisy. whose curious nose
had been buried in big square trunk bobbed
up with an antique brocade pettcoat in each
hand.
''Lots more" she cried. Il shall ask il we
may wear them, and we will turn the country
dance into q fancy BALL" She flew pre-
cipitately down the attic stairs, and in
hve minutes came putting up with