The Washington critic., 1886-10-26


the ride
"Can both of you girls go2" he
asked, at length. 1--WE can have
lunch before we go, and return leis
urely by moonlight and have merry
time"
Carrie and Susie exchanged glances
and both exclaimed in breath
"Oh, yesl / should be delighted to
60"
"All right; here comes Everett. I'll
get two seated carriage and wei take
him along, too"
Half an hour later the four young
people were driving over the pleasant
country road, entering with the
keenest delight into the pleasure of the
ride.
The next day Susie again broached
the subject of the seaside excursion,
but Carrie still remained firm in her
| decision that 1t was impossible. Susie
was not accustomed to having her
plans miscarry, and while she ceased
urging Carrie, she was none the less
determined to succeed In her under
taking. That evening soon after tea
friend of Carries called with an ur.
gent request that she would accompany
her ON II visit to sick person in dis.
tant part of the town.
pray don't stop on my account,
Susie said quickly, as Carrie excused
herself on the plea of visitors. "Thc
boys are here; shall not be lonesome.
| can visit with them"
Now this Is just what | have been
wishing for" Susie said to Harold as
Carrie disappeared down the street
I've been waiting all day to have 4
talk with you alone without exciting
Carries suspicious. Iwant her to &c
| and spend month with me at the sea
| side after your mother returns, and sht
| thinks she cannot afford it, Now can
| you help me plan some way 50 she car
goY The 10Th of next month-thret
weeks from to-day--is her birthday ,ant
for present am going to take hei
| back with meat my own expense, mind
you. Now what can we do about her
wardrobe without letting her know it.
| Harold entered heartily into the
plan. Carrie is dear, unsefish
girl he said, land I've long been
wishing / could do something for hei
pleasure. | think she would enjoy
| the visit very much"
One suggestion followed another un.
til, before Carries return, the whole
thing had been arranged to Susie's sat
| isfaction.
| The two girls had merry time keep
ing house by themselves. Carrie often
wondered why Susie went down street
alone so frequently, but asked no ques
tions or even suspected that 1t had any
| reference to herself. Time passed
| quickly, and on the evening of Carrie S
| birthday Mrs. Russell was expected
home. Harold had gone to the station
to meet her, and the girls were putting
the finishing touches to the teatable
Susics mother was coming with her
sister, so the girls were anxious every
thing should look itsvery best. They
were just through with their arrange
ments when the party arrived. Such O
welcome as they received And aS
Carrie ran up the steps into the house
ahead of the others pair of strong
arms clasped her and some one
showered kisses upon her face. She
gave quick cry of alarm and looking
up into the face above her. beheld hel
brother Dick.
why, Dick" she said, as soon as
she could catch her breath, "when die
you return. and why didn't you let mt
know you were coming?'
| "Well, in answer to the first ques
tion, joined mother and Aunt Editl
at the seaside three days ago, and cam(
up here with them, but jumped out be
fore we reached the house and came il
the back door. In answer to YOU
second question, as it is your birthday
thought would come without you
knowing it and surprise you. Nov
let's have some supper. am hungry
enough TO eat n bear"
"Will you have it raw or cooked2'
she laughingly asked, as she led thu
way to the table.
They all did full justice to the meal
and complimented the girls highly OF
their nice cooking. "Why, mother,
said Harold, Carrie Is the best house
keeper in town. | think you'd betteI
give up entirely to her."
II have been taking lessons Of he
since | have been here" said Susie
"and flatter myself I can get prett.
good dinner if | set out to.
After tea they all started for the par
lor, the door Of which was closed
very unusual thing-though no on
seemed to remark the singularity of |
except Carrie. She stepped forward
and opened it; then stood still in aston
| ishment.
Across the sofa lay dress made from
piece of beautiful blue silk she haC
admired so frequently at Pease & Fos
ter's; another dress of cream coloret
nuns yelling of stylish make wa
thrown carelessly across an arm. chair
while pretty hat and gloves adorned
the center table, handkerchiefs, host
and boots were on other receptacles
while u iaunty bathing suit Of blu,
flannel, with dainty white trimmings
was perched on the piano.
"Havc the fairies been here?" Carri
asked, turning in bewilderment to Susi,
and Harold, who were watching he
with evident amusement. "What doe
1t all meanY" Susie laughed merrily
and catching her in her arms, whirle(
her around the room in a merry waltz
at means, you dear, precious, LITTLE
innocent" she replied, as she stopped
TO catch breath, chat certain littl
girl is always trying to make every
body happy aud never thinks of her
sell, so Harold and planned a birth
day surprise for her. Those two bi,
boys'-nodding toward Harold an,
Dicl;-"have been saving up monel
for n birthday present, so tine,
furnished the means. / purchased
the goods aud had the dresses made
Tomorrow evening at 6 o'clock you
brothers Harold and Dick, you and |
are going to take the fast train for Il,
TO occupy our cottage Tor four or tiv
weeks, Now have | made it all plail
or shall | have to tell you all owe
again?"
Why, | told you at first | couldn'
CO. said Carrie in bewilderment. "
don't understand how you could &c
| me reAdY and | not know it,