The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-02-20
THE BEST ROAD
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
"And here, Claribel," said old Mrs.
Grigg, ~ declare, l had nearly forgot
ten little Pen, Pen came so long after
the others, and she's such a mite of q
thing, that I'm always forgetting her.
But'-plunging her hand deep down
into her pocket--''here ten dollar
gold piece. Tell her to buy something
with it to remember old Cousin Grige
BY"
ats very good of you, Cousin Grigg, y
said Claribel Wilton.
Every year, on her birthday, old Mrs.
Grigg visited her relations and made
each one of them present.
give got plenty of money, and they
haven't" said Mrs. Grigg; 'and it's a
pleasant excitement to me to pick out the
things. A sort of fairy godmother bust
ness-ha, ha, ha! And it does me good
to see how pleased Clara and the chill
dren are"
So Mrs. Grigg rolled away in her COM
Portable old-fashioned coupe with the fat
coachmsn and the still fatter horses, and
Claribel stood ecstatic among the parcels,
viewing their magnifcence.
IA black silk for mammal" she cried.
ooh, how did Cousin Grigg know that
the old one was so shabby And books
for Kate, the family book worm; and a
camera for Tom, and skates for Will, and
the sweetest muff and boa for Edith,
and rosewood writing desk for me
But how l wish she had given me the
money instead! l die so want a new
white satin bodice for my evening dress
for Fanny Ilsley's partyl The old one is
too shabby for anything, and ten dollars
would nave bought all the material, and
l could have made it myself"
She looked longingly at the gold
piece in the palm of her hand.
''If Pen wasn't so little" she said, II
could make an exchange and give her the
writing desk instead. But Pen is only
eight years old, and not out of Number
Three writing books yet. What could she
do with rosewood deska Why didn't
Cousin Grigg think to give her doll or
tea-set, or some regulation children s
toy? Or why can't / do it2" Claribel
exclaimed, with a sudden long breath.
"Therc's solution for The riddle Pen
shall have tifty-cent doll! / can dress
it myself with some of the old laces and
sash ribbons in the catch-all drawer, and
I can have the satin peasant waist after
all"
Claribel Wilton carried out the pro-
gramme.
She ran to the nearest toy store and
bought limp, big-eyed doll, with a
cataract of yellow jute down to her back,
and by dint of exceeding haste, man
aged to get it dressed before Pen, a
dimpled, plump little maid of eight,
came trotting home from school.
us it Cousin Grigg's present? Oh,
how NIGEL" cried the child. "But
Cousin Grigg always gives me big,
jointed doll, with eyes that will open
and shut, and real silk stockings, and
boots buttoned with little gilt buttons
Is Cousin Grigg poor this year, man.
MAJ"
Hush, child' said Claribel, sharply.
"Never look gift horse in the
MOUTH
"But l don't see any horse" said Pen,
casting half -terrifed glance over her
shoulder. Mamma, what does Bel
mean by horses mouths?"
"Why do you talk slang to the child,
Claribel9" said Mrs. Wilton, who was
cutting off the breadths of her substantial
silk gown. "She means, Penelope, that
you should be satisfied with whatever
Mrs. Grigg is kind enough to give you. >
But the eyes aren't match" com.
planned Pen. "And there's hole in one
shoulder, where the sawdust is coming
out; and just look at the greasy mark il
the hounce of the .tea-gown 1t isn't ;
bit like the dolls that Cousin Grigg al
ways gives me! shall be awful 'shamec
to introduce this doll to Frederick ant
Emily and my other dollies!"
Claribel's conscience pricked her lit
tie when she saw the piteous disappoint
ment of her little sister, but she forgo
it all in the joyful excitement of cutting
and fitting the glistening white satin fold
with their trimming of white blonde
caught down with Roman pearls.
''Harold Carlton will be there" sh,
exultantly thought, "and always do lool
well in white"
But the afternoon before the eventfu
evening she went out in the rain to buy
pair of long wristed kid gloves, ant
caught cold, and just when the cere
monials of the toilette ought to have com
menced, she was lying in bed with mus
tard plaster on her chest and prodigiou
pitcher of f1ax-seed tea on the table besid,
her, making her piteous complaints in
whisper, because she was too hoarse t.
speak.
''Don't let any one come in, for pity!
sake" she muttered, as the doorbell gave
clang.
Little Pen came running to her side.
''Such bouquet, Claribel" she cried
"With Mr.. Cartoons card stuck in anon,
the roses! Do only smell of it! Oh,
forgot, you can't smell, because of tn
influenza in your nose! Norah says Mr.
Carlton is in love with you, Claryl L
he?n
Claribel turned her face away with
groan. Alicia Vinton would have tn
field all to herself tonight, and wha
might not be done in such golden OPP
portunity as this2
"And here comes Cousin Grigg,
added the child. "Who ever heard o
Cousin Grigg coming out at night be
forea To see you, Claryl"
'iDou't let her come I'M" whispere,
Claribel. 81 do look such figure witt
my nose swelled up and my eyes run
ming"
But the caution came too late. Cousin
Grigg's black satin dress was alread,
rustling on the threshold, and in sh
trudged.
81 thought I'd like to see you in you
ball dress, Oiaribel," said the kind oil
lady. "Tve got some young thought,