The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26

twisting her sunbonnet strings by way OF
aiding explanation. Its going TO be to-
morrow afternoon. when there won't be
any school; and everybody that comes
NUT bring something to eat-anything
they FAINT to--down TO the crooked pine
at three o'clock. All you girls are invi-
ted-eVerybody that wants 20 come.
Humph, ] guess likely we won't want
to come" said Lizzie. trying rather doubt
fuily 10 rally TO the defence OF first prin-
ciples.
M'randy turning away.
"Where1l II be-" one Of the girls called
after her
AT a nice piace. where there'H be lots
OF fun" answered M'randy. She had
given her invitation and would add Moth
ing more.
We were all I'm a state OF excitement
and discussed the matter at every avail
able opportunity We remembered, in
deed, that the invitation came from
Mrandy Sayles; but. through few az
fected Indifference. and spoke OF atten-
dance as doubtful, each one Of US was
secretly eager TO 20, and determined upon
doing so II leave could be obtained How
that point was managed in all the homes
there is no record 10 show; but certain
10 Is that when the appointed hour came
every one was at the trysting-place-clean
dresses white aprons and tempting bas-
kets doing honor 20 the invitation
Evidently Aprandy had not expected 50
generl a response; and her round face
grew brighter and brighter until IL was
as fun OF sunshine as face could be.
"All ready? Come on" she said.
We followed through the grove and
down TO the road 20 a little house at the
edge OF the meadow, and there our lead
or paused We knew the place. Mrs.
Burns took in plain sewing quilting, even
washing and ironing occasionally, for any
one IN the village who wanted such work
done-anything By which she could pro
vide for herself and Annie Little An
ME. delicate always had attended school
in an Irregular fashion before The attack
Of scarlet fever which LETT her lame and
helpless but we had almost forgotten in
the year that had passed, that she had
ever been one OF us.
"A party ar Widow Burns" exclaimed
some of the girls. pausing I'm dismay and
disappointment But Mrandy and those
I'm advance had already been H-mitted.
and. after a moments irresolution the
others followed The house was in IT'S
neatest order, and Mrs. Burns quick
welcome showed that she had expected
us. Though ] didn't think there would
he so many" she said, laughing and nod
look AT herr"
ding cheerily. Annie Is so pleased. lust
She was well worth looking at-her
cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling
with the delightful surprise.
isn't IT nice? How aid You ever think
Of it? O. mamma. isn't II nice" she re-
pea'ed ioyously, and the mother laughed,
with tears In her eyes
Such an afternoon as IL was, Mrandy
took the ideal naturally Her foot was
on iis native heath" here. and, indeed,
Mr. Burns and Annie appealed 10 her con-
stantly. II was M'randy who thought OF
game after game in which Annie could
join. and who SIN -ccsted adjourning 70
the vafd, and carrying Annie's chair out
20 the porch. when the house grew too
small for our merrimont Then she helped
Mrs Burns 10 construct a long table on
the porch when tea-time came. and 90
arrange uDon IT the contents Of the bas-
kets we had brought. and a tempting
sight &c was with fruits and dalnties
enough 20 coax Annie'7 appetite for many
day after her guests had deported.
After that IN the pleasant twilight,
Mrs Burns asked us 10 sing. and as we
sang our Sabbath school hymns, our
hearts grew hushcd and tender. and more
than one cheek flushed ar the under
served praise when the mother thanked
MS for comin~. and said, as 10 babe MS
goodnight. '"'YOu don't know Cow much
good you've done"
Tt had one ms good even though We
were quite n quiet party rs we walked
homeward through the grove when we
reached the crooked pine. our parting
place. Mrandv suddenly inquired.
"Well. are YOU sorry You went?"
"Noi no. indeed We had "a splendid
time" was answered in chorus. And then
Lizzie asked curiously:
"Mrandv. how did You come 10 think
OF ii2'
"Wen. T 20 there so much: and. then,
II kind o'know how it feels TO be lone
some" said Mrandv slowly. "But what
made me think of it most OF an was the
last Sabbath school lesson-ahout When
thou rnakest a feast you know. jesus
said what ones 10 do n for-thats all
Brave. true hearted. kindly little M'ran-
dvi She did not look poor or common
to any Of us as she turned away IN the
gray light that evening. We said not
n word 10 each other Of change of feel
ing or purposes. hut when she came into
the school yard the next morning. just
as We were choosing for game Helen
CamnbolTs voice rang ont as eagerly as
Il tho newcomer were "a nugget ~ gold:
.T choose M'randv saylesw-Kate ".
Hamilton. IN the Standard.