The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-05

still liked on the clock, and they made
no answer. The girl came and stood on
the hearth rug. and, stopping, took
James face between her small, plump
hands and kissed her Then, catching
up the afghan, she ran down the room
and up the stair and threw it over the
face of the clock. The sisters laughed
merrily.
THAT was the hour we two came into
the world" said Hulda. You can't say
but it was rather startling to have the
old clock ring out that hour. 1t hasn't
made d move, TO my knowledge, since
you went away, Amy.
''Oh, well, it just happened, Aunt
Hulda," Amy answered, with the
happy carelessness of youth. Besides,
it isn't l o'clock now. It is only 7:3O.
She danced across the room and seated
herself at the piano. Come, Aunt
Jane, let us sing something.
why, child 1 can't singl'
You used to sing beautifully"
I'm afraid you forget that we've
grown old since you went away. Peo-
pie don't sing much as rule when
they are So
The girl wheeled about on the music
stool and shook her finger at the COW
cred clock.
You have done this she said. You
pretended to be sitting up there doing
nothing all these years, but you've
proven tonight that you're up TO your
old tricks, running away with the
years.
The sisters laughed again.
You used to stand and talk to that
clcck when you didn't come up TO the
drops of the weights, Amy, said Hulda.
We've a long account to settle,
Amy answered, shaking her head. 10
come home and find you both so quiet,
and complaining of growing old, when
We used 10 have such good times! snail
1 get some knitting and sit down in
the corner and grow old, too"
HulGa rolled up her work and stood
US
7 suppose we do seem changed,
child" she said, anXiously. What can
we do TO amuse her. Jane?'
Don't mind what I say, dears- You
are so pretty and picturesque sitting
thsre in those high-back chairs by that
grand old fireplace. III get my sketch,
book out and make d sketch of Won.
I'VE might dance the minuet, sid
Jane, standing by her sisters sloe.
That used TO amuse her greatly When
she was = child.
20. doi' cried Amy. Ia forgotten
about your doing that
She turned to the piano and began
the merry music OF the minuet. Dainti-
ly the two little old ladies stepped ,for-
ward in time 10 the music. Their small
faces at first were grave with the de-
sire to please, but presently the mel
odv entered their hearts. Their faces
lost the dull line of years, and shoAe
with the pleasure of youth
lanes hair fell out of coil and huns
in soft silver curls about her face.
Hulda picked up her skirts and tripped
air.ily away, showing her trim little feet
in blue embroidered slippers.
.sYou DO it even better than you used
To-" Amy cried, clapping her hands as
the music came to an end. / never
saw any one more graceful ana pretty
than YOU TWO aTel Sixty isn't old.
Why. YOU could go to Washington and
he the bellies of the season yet, II you
only wanted to- You have just stayed
here in the country and you haven
any idea how lovely you are
The sisters looked at each other aad
smiled. Jane slipped her hand into
Huida's.
1--WE haven't been discontinued, or 1
suppose we would have made venture
Out into the world" she said.
Il wish you would make venture
this winter said Amy, seriously
sNThere is no need of our staying mere.
Uncle James says he has invited you
reneatedly TO come TO Washington. l
said I'd stay all winter, but l don't be-
iieve l can, it is so lonely
1--WE have never been lonely" said
linda. after a short silence, but OF
course we've always had the thought
that you were coming to live with US
when you finished school 1t viii be
different when you go away this time
Amy ran and threw her arms around
them.
1T is. beautiful home, dears, and
Won know 1 love you both as though
Won were my mothers, but it is so
still and solemn here, and you know
7 haven't been used to il"
I'VE might recite her some of the
nlays. Hulda," said Jane.
what olays?" asked Amy, eagerly.
yes. I'm sure that would amuse
her. said Hulda. Il hope you don't
think. Amy, that we are women who
settle down and spend all our time and
mind Oh our work.
The two left the room, and Amy was
presently surprised by their returning
dressed in costume. With the first lines
She knew they were dressed to repre-
sent Portia and Nerissa- With surpris-
ing ability in recitation and action, they
vent through the well known scene
from the Merchant of Venice
They could not have had more ap-
preciatiVe audience.
Amy recalled them again and again
with q, storm of applause.
The two little ladies had used the
wears of their solitude and leisure In