Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-11-01

tnelr usual NOISY way, MISS ann mop
kins looked up from her writing-table
and frowned. She always frowned
when she saw them.
well, what do you want?" she now
said, inhospitably. Answer quick,
for am very busy this morning"
This was not a very encouraging be-
ginning, but Don did not allow him.
self to be daunted.
"Auut Ann" he began, hurriedly,
''it's Mans birthday. you know, and
mamma always gives us little supper
on our birthdays, SO we thought per-
haps you might-you would -er'-here
he broke down hopelessly, and looked
at Grace, who came bravely to his res
cue.
Eyes, little supper, and a cake
with candies on it, only of course we
wouldn't expect that"
"And lots of preserves" shouted
Billy, loudly, emboldened by the
thought Of past festivities.
''rm ten years old, Aunt Ann" put
in Nan, timidly, from the background.
cts the oldest birthday I've ever
had"
4
sufficiently" returned her aunt, sharp
ly. "Have you forgotten the two nice
aprons l gave you last night?"
"Apronsl H'mr' muttered Don, con-
temptuously, to himself. much good
aprons will do Nan. She never works
any"
Work." exclaimed Miss Ann, who
possessed an unfortunate faculty for
always overhearing an aside not in
tended for her. Work. No, nor you,
either. 1t would be much better if you
all had allotted tasks for each day, and
next week I'll see that you have. In
my day"
The children sighed. They were SO
tired of hearing about Miss AIMS day.
Billy was resolved to stop the present
reminiscence at all hazards.
"Will you do it, Aunt Ann?" he in
terrupted, rashly, Notwithstanding
warning pinch from Grace.
Their last chance vanished.
''No!' said his aunt, GROSSLY. 81 can't
be troubled with you to-day. ! have
a great deal to do, and / want you all
out of the way. have packed a bas-
ket with some nice bread-and-butter
sandwiches, cookies and apples. You
can go on picnic down in the long
meadow. That ought to satisfy you,
I'm sure. You needn't come back till
late in the afternoon, for probably
shall not be here. William" she
called, as, with disappointed faces, the
children were moving sadly away,
''tale this pile of books to the little
schoolhouse at the end of the lane.
You will find the key hanging behind
the kitchen door. Don't forget to lock
the door when you come away"
What for?" said Billy, idly, more
from habit than because he expected
to find out,
Miss Ann did not answer. 1t was
not her way to give children a reason.
"Why should ~" she would say. "It
ought TO be enough for them to know
that | desire it,"
I'VE didn't make much out of that"
said Don, as they pushed their way
through the long grass of the meadow.
NO" said Billy, who had just joined
them. Nothing but lot OF tasks"
at was SO stupid of you, Billy, to
cut in when she began about her
day." said Don. "She loves to tell
about herself when she was a little
girl. 1t might have made her good.
natured, and Nan was beginning to
get up quite a grateful look about the
aprons when you rushed in and spoiled
1t ALL"
Don't care il did," said Billy, de-
family. IL couldn't stand It,"
Lets not talk any more about her
now" said Lizbeth, wearily. "Tm SO
tired, and we sha'n't see her again for
all day"
"All right, Lizbeth." said Billy,
gently.
The children were always gentle
with Lizbeth-poor little Lizbeths
They were all strong and healthy ex-
cepting this one little sister. Something
was the trouble with her heart, tho
doctors said. often for days she would
have TO stay apart from them in q
darkened room, and then they would
all be very quiet. Though she could
not join III their rough sports, still
there was alwaysa certain zest missing
when Lizbeths pale, sweet face was
not there TO smile and applaud their
feats; and their disputes were always
more bitter without Lizbeth's soft
voice to make peace.
The tall elms were beginning to cast
long shadows IN the meadow, when
Grace suggested that it was time to re.
turn home. AS they climbed the long
hill wearily, Lizbeth dropped u little
III h. .I tl
"Did you remember to lock the door
of the schoolhouse, as Aunt Ann told
you tor"
"Cracl1y!" cried Billy, stopping in
dismay; ~ forgot all about it. ! left
the key in the door. III go and lock
1t and catch up with you before you
get TO the house"
"You run on ahead. Nan, and see IL
supper ready" suggested Don. "Grace
and / will make lady's chair and
carry Lizbeth the rest of the way. she
looks so tired"
Nan rushed on ahead, and the other
three followed so slowly that Billy
overlook them by the time they reached
the house.
Its lucky you reminded me of it,
LlZbeth,' hc SAID, swinging the Dig
key on his finger. "rll just go and"
Donald, Grace" cried Mans voice,
excitedly "Only look Come here
quick"
They all rushed eagerly into the
house and TO the dining-room, where
they stood transfixed on the threshold,
gazing with wide-open, astonishcd eyes
ut the sight before them.
The table was spread with snowy
cloth, one Of Aunt AIMS best damask;
in the center stood large cut-glass
bowl Of June roses, whose sweet fra
GRANGE filed the whole room But the
children's hungry eyes did not lingcr
on such trifling details as flowers or
fine glass, for before them was laid
most bounteous feast.
"oA. NY eyel 'gasped Billyat lastl