The Washington critic., 1886-10-26
A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE.

what you need. am sure l can take
care of the boys, and I've long been
wishing to try my hand at housekeep.
ing alone. A month at the seaside will
do you so much good" and Carrie
Russell turned to her mother with an
earnest, animated face.
1t was morning about the middle of
June, and Mrs. Russell had just re-
ceived letter from her only sister, who
was quite wealthy, to come and stay
month or so with her in her cottage
at the seaside.
Mr.. Russell had been dead for sew
eral years and had left his family in
very moderate circumstances. There
were three boys, two of them older
than Carrie and one younger. The
eldest, Harold, was young lawyer
just started In business Richard, or
"Dick," was manfully working his
way through college by teaching or
other employment during his vacations.
Everett who was fourteen, was at
school in the city. Carrie was nine
teen, and few months before had
tcen graduated from the High School
with honors, since which time she had
been learning the art of housekeeping.
Mrs. Russell had not been strong for
some time, for which reason Carrie
was the more anxious she should accept
her sisters invitation.
But, my dear" said her mother,
chow can afford to go? must have
some new dresses and 1 don't know
what else"
"Oh ! WELL" replied Carrie, "you
have that nice silk Aunt Bess sent YOU
Christmas. You haven't touched it
yet; then I'll go down street this
afternoon and get you a cashmere; we
certainly can afford az much as that.
aud by fixing over some of your old
ones you will be all right. Here comes
Harold; we'll see what he says about
it,"
"Why. mother, that is what I've
been wishing you could do. You
must go, by all means. Carries a capi.
tai little housekeeper; we shall get
along first.rate." The next day Il
dressmaker made her appearance, and
they were all very busy for the next
two weeks. AT the end of that time
Mrs. Russell Joined her sister at the
seaside.
About week after, as Carrie sat on
the veranda sewing, u carriage drove
up to the gate, and, to her surprise, her
cousin alighted and ran up the walk.
"Why, Susie Lawrence, thought you
were ut the seasidev'
80 WAS" replied Susie, "but when
your mother arrived and said you were
all alone here, keeping house for the
boys, declared ] was coming up to
help you. couldn't get away, though,
until to-day. Wen have better time
here together than should there"
"Well, I'm just delighted to see you,
anyway" said Carrie; "to tell the
truth, ! was getting little lonesome
Both of the boys are away all day. Blu
come into the house and rest. You
must be tired after your journey"
mo, I'm not tired at ALL Let's sit
out here on the veranda; 1t is cooler; it
is so long since I've seen you that we
shall have to get acquainted all over
again. Now guess what I've come
here for most OF ALL
why, I'm sure can't guess" re.
piled Carrie. You said you came to
help me keep house."
'1m afraid shouldn't make much
headway in that line" said Susie,
laughing. 81 have postponed the re-
mainder Of my visit ut the seaside uu.
you to be all ready when she comes to
return with me and spend month"
"Oh, that would be SO nice I" Carrie
said, delightedly, "but it's useless talk
ing, | couldn't possibly go"
But why not? / know you would
have most delightful time"
"Well, | suppose | might as well tell
the truth at once; we cannot afford it.
Harold has just begun practice, aud,
of course, hasn much income. Father
you know, left us but very little prop.
erty, and we are practicing very close
economy in order to keep Everett ut
school, and, If possible, send him to
college, though if he Is as independent
as dear old Dick, he may not allow US
10 help him. But just now We are II
little more than usually short by reason
of mothers outfit, but was bound she
should 20 If it took every ceut we
owned, as IL was just what she needed.
l am ever so much obliged for the in,
vitalion. 1t Is just too good Of you,
Susie, but you see how ii Is. we really
couldn't afford it, and | am well and
don't mind staying at home rs long n
mother has the outing" AS she ceusel
speaking she glanced down the street
and saw her brother approaching,
"Why, there's IIaroldl / wonder
what brings him home at this time.
Here, SUSIE dodge behind the vines
so as TO surprise him"
"Do you want to go to ride, Sls?'
Harold asked, as he dropped down on
the step and began to fan himself with
his hat. II have some business TO do
in b. for Robinson & Co., and must
drive over Immediately, 1t is 50
pleasant thought you would like TO
90 with me-"
Before Carrie could reply, Susie
fprung quickly from her place Of con,
= cealment aud catching the apron upon