Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-07-07


Berty had eyes in his head. He knew
that his Uncle Herbert and his Aunt
Kate were wont to talk great deal
together, and be very jolly. and sit on
the parlor sofa, or in the dining room
window, or out in the atbor; he knew
that they went walking together very
much, and driving some times, and that
his Uncle Herbert gave his Aunt Kate
flowers and candy; he knew that his
Uncle Herbert had came only three
weeks ago. but that his mother had al.
ready said to his father that Herbert
and Kate did get on so nicely, and
what If they should-wtat If anything
should happen?
Berty had not the remotest idea what
that meant; but he knew things had
been gong very pleasantly with his
jolly uncle and his pretty aunt.
And now everybody was ''bad"-Ber.
ty's general term for anything at all
dlsagreeable-and everything was
spoiled. And he could hear his Uncle
Herbert striding up and down the pi-
azza, and his Aunt Kate had her hand
on the window sill, and she was-yes,
she was certainly crying. Berry could
see her slender form shaking.
Not being near enoug ID to attempt to
comfort her, Berty eyed her with alb
stract interest.
Yes. she was crying hard. Because
she had been cross to his Uncle Herbert?
Berty supposed so. She wasn't going
to stop, either.
Under other circumstances, Berty
would have rebelled at such wanton ne.
gIect of himself-a condition Of things
to which he was unused. But now he
sat silent and absorbed, with a candy
in each fat hand, his face sticky from
ear to ear, and look Of extreme con-.
tent and selfcongratulation.
The bonbons in the box were radidly
lowering. Berry had long ago forgot
ten to count three.
I don't like to disturb you, said
Herbert Lester, having tapped at Kates
door and got response, at one o'clock
that night, but Alice wants YOU to come
down and help her. Berry is sick
'Berty!' Kate was up and dressed
with anxious speed, and flew down
stairs.
Jack stood beside Berty's little oak
bed, and Alice and Herbert, and the
cook and the maid; and Berty lay,
with hot cheeks and unnatnrally bright
eyes, tossing and murmuring IN obvious
pain. ,
We don't know what it is,' cried
Berty's mother, wringlng her hands.
We've sent for the doctor. Oh, Kate,
can you think of anything he has done
or eaten {?
Eaten? Kate, already white faced,
grew paler. With a little gasp, she
turned speechless)y and ran up to her
room, and stole back to the bedside like
a guilty ghost.
He ate some candy. Alice,' she con-
fessed, despairlngly-'some Of mine.
gave him the box and told HIM to eat
three, but IL didn't look at him, and
they're nearly all gone. All, Alice.
chocolates and candied fruit and
How much was there? ? said Jack,
with sternness.
1T was pound box, Kate faltered,
and I hadn't eaten much. Oh, Jack =
She clutched Ber,y's feverish hand,
too frightened and miserable to cry.
Wont you 20 and bnrry up the doc
tor, Jack y said Alice, with only hor-
rif,ed look at her sister IN ksw.
Jack seized his hat and ran.
Poor Kate shrank back in corner,
with her cold face in her hands.
Berty's mother cried supposedly
The clock tieked dolefully.
.Berty,' said Herbert, bsndlng low,
with a cool hand or Bertys hot fore
head, 'elrl you eat the candy, deaI:'
! Berty nodded thrice.
'Doosir he observed, with remnant
Of satisfaction.
And Aunt Kate, sad h's Uncle
Herbert, didn't She
Aunt Kate didn't look said Berty
Aunt Kate was crying-crying hard.
Then Berty groaned again.
His Uncle Herbert looked at Aunt
Kate. motionless in her corner, got ur
and paced the room and went to the
door to get the first sound of the oft
summoned doctor. He stood there
s,a,ling rather brightly, and careless o.
the cold night air, till Jack and the
doctor caae bustling up.
These youthful scapegraces said the
doct or bending over Berty with frisE
cIeerfnluess. Ate too mnch candy,