The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30

eyes," said mamma, laughing,
"you can tell Arabella Maria, but no
one else"
This was hard. That very after
noon Tom came rushing in from
school, and told Molly about Billy's
new improved safety.
"Id give something if 1 just knew
I'd get wheel for my birthday"
said he. "But, when father was tell
ing about the scarcity of money last
night, 1 knew that meant no safety
for this year."
"Bye low, bye low sang Molly to
Arabella Maria, who, because she
was made of rags, and lumber, Molly
loved, as she said she was so nice and
buggy" Molly kept her eyes shut
tight for fear Tom would see nickel
plated bicycle in them.
"Why don't you talk and be
comforts" demanded Tom. 81 sup
pose, if it was your birthday coming,
you wouldn't mind. You'd rather
have an old mushy doll like thatw
indicating the beloved Arabella
Maria with scornful finger.
This was too much for Molly to
bear. He eyes flew open with a
flash. ut isn't SO at ALL" she said.
81 wouldn't want another doll at all,
and l do want bicycle. Every girl
in the block has one but me. And
Arabella Maria is not mushy, and
she knows a great deal that you
would be glad to know"
And then Molly, feeling that she
was getting on dangerous ground,
flew upstairs, holding Arabella Maria
close up against her mouth.
Uncle Tom and mamma were sit
ting on the porch quite near the
open window, and heard all this con-
versation. Uncle Tom was very
much amused, and mamma very
proud.
II can make her tell me-" said
Uncle Tom.
Try" said mamma, as she went
indoors to toast the mullins for tea.
Molly presently found herself
seated on Uucle Toms knee; and
after she had told him all about the
measles, and how it was a great sur
prise to everybody that Arabella
Maria didn't take them. "But she's
the best thingl" said Molly. Il told
her not to, cause l couldn't nurse
her; and she didn't"
whats this about Toms birth
day?" said Uncle Tom. II want to
know about it."
But Molly Immediately shut her
mouth up tight and looked up at the
sky. cts secret" she said finally
But not from me, is it? You know
he's my namesake; and how do you
know I won't get him the same
thingi"
| Molly looked troubled. There is
a danger" she said; "but, if | should
tell you, you might let it out, mot
on purpose, but cause it's SO hard
not to. | don't want to ever have
the 'sponsibility of another secret,
necer."
"Well, well, and so you can't trust
me" said Uncle Tom.
Il wouldn't mind trusting you at
all if l hadn't promised | wouldn't
tell" said Molly. "And me and Ara
bella Maria must keep our word, you
see. Now, if it was about my birth
day, l could tell you just as we'll as
not, cause | wouldn't know
But Uncle Tom was laughing so
hard that Molly stopped. "Good for
you, Molly" he said; you're a
trump!"
Molly didn't know at all what he
meant, but she was much relieved
| that he was not offended.
When Toms birthday, with the
party, the safety and all, really came,
it was hard to tell which was the hap
pier, Tom or Molly.
Every time that Tom felt things
boiling within him to such an extent
that he couldn't possibly stand it an
other minute, he would rush out on
the lawn, and look at his new wheel,
and say: "Hurrahl she's daisy!" and
turn somersaults until he felt better.
At the same time Molly would rush
after Arabella Maria, and, with a
rapturous squeeze, would say, "Aren't
we glad we didn't tell, though, cause
he's so happy over the s'prise."
By and by they all went out for a
spin around the block; and there
among the shining wheels, was dear
little one, whom no one claimed.
Tom picked up card on the handle
bor and read =