The Iola register., 1889-02-15
BROKEN PROMISES.
Should Children Receive Any Con-
sideration2


"Oh, deari there come those chill
dren! told them expressly to stay il
the dining-room to play. Having then
around me all day, l feel when night
comes as if would like to have little
peace and quiet"
Mrs. Holt spoke impatiently, and g
frown contracted her brow as the noisy
steps in the hall drew nearer
1T is time they were all in bed. any,
how" said Mr.. Holt, as the parlor.
door burst open and three children
girl of five years of age, and two boys
of seven and nine-rushed in, laughing
gayly.
.eGraciousi what a noisem exclaimed
George Prentiss, Mrs. Hollis bachelor
brother, a rather nervous young man OF
about thirty years of age. Lucy, dc
send them all to bed at once. They'll
deafen Mrs. Delwyn."
please don't send them off Oh my
account" cried Mrs. Delwyn, a fair.
gentle-looking woman. who had arrived
that day on a visit to Mrs. Holt. Il like
children, and don't mind their noise in
the least. You forget that live with
my sister, who has seven"
''But we want to read aloud that ar
ticle in the Review" said Mrs. Holt,
land we can't read with the children
in here. Jessie, Charlie and BERTHE,
go up to bed at once" p"
''Oh, mamma, do let us stay just a
little while" cried Charlie, pleadingly.
I'VE won't make any noise. mamma.
said BERTHE.
''And its SO lonesome up stairs, "
whimpered Jessie.
NO, you can't stay; go at once. "
Mrs. Hollis voice was very impatient.
We'll, then. can we have some oi
the candy Uncle George brought
homer asked Charlie.
"Yes; but can't trust you to help
yourselves to it, you all be sick. Go
up stairs without any fuss, and when
you are all in bed I'll come up and give
you each piece. Now CO."
You'll come straight up, mamma?'
''Yes, run along now, like good child
rem
The little ones ran to father, mother
and uncle in turn, gave each an affec-
tionate goodnight kiss, and then rush.
ed off, eager for the promised treat.
Mrs Delwyn and George Prentiss
were engaged in discussion as to the
merits of recent popular novel, but as
soon as the door closed behind the
children, the young man rose and took
the Review from a drawer in the
center-table.
.'Will you read first?" he asked, turn
ing to his brother-in-law.
No. You may have that privilege v
responded Mr.. Holt, laughing.
.'But is it well to begin before Mrs.
Holt goes up stairs to give the children
that candy?" asked Mrs Delwyn.
.'Oh. never mind about that" said
Mrs Holt, as she took up her fancy.
work, and settled herself in one of the
easiest of easy-chairs. 81 don't sup,
pose they will expect me to come up. y
Mrs. Delwyn laughed.
IF they don't expect it they are very
different from any children ever saw
before" she said. ''You may be sure
they hurried to bed with all possible
speed. and are impatiently waiting fol
you now."
well, they must wait then, that's
all. viii give them the candy in the
morning. l don't feel equal to going
up stairs now. / am tired out Come,
George, do begin"
Mrs. Delwyn said no more. but found
it difficult to fix her mind upon the
reading, so much in sympathy were her
thoughts with the children upstairs.
She wondered if they would go quickly
to sleep without complaint or remon.
STRANGE.
Mr.. Prentiss had been reading about
half an hour when the parlor door
opened suddenly and little vision in a
aong, white night dress and long golden
hair, appeared on the threshold.
Mamma, Charlie and Bertie say
amt you ever comm up?n
.'Jessie! l am astonished at you!
How dared you come downstairs? Go
back at once. You'll take your death
of cold, and bare feet, toor'
But you said you'd come up and
give us the candy, mamma, and we-''
Not another word! Go back at once
You shall have the candy in the morn
ing"
The child burst into a food of tears
and went sobbing upstairs, leaving the
parlor door wide open. Mrs. Holt,
with heavy sigh, rose to close it.
What unreasonable little creatures
children arei" she said. Now, ] sup
pose Jessie will CRY for half an hour at
least"
Mrs. Delwyn felt like saying, "And
no woIderm but restrained herself.
The next day was spent by the friends
In sightseeing. Mrs. Holt was anx.