The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-12-07

"Why, who?"
ST could tell" he answered, "but
you'd rather be surprised, would you
not?"
"Of course, if you'd like it that way,
randfather-- only should like to know
how many are coming, and just when"
Lefty answered, pleasantly. She
knew his weakness for surprises.
"One, with an appetite for two,
about six o'clock tomorrow evening. {"
Mr.. Hudson went to shut the gate
without Offering any farther explaua-
ton.
AT the appointed time the next even
ing the kitchen fire was burning
brightly, and the kettle was sending
uu cloud OF steam. The room was
filed with the odor of frying chicken.
The biscuit were in the edge of the
oven, covered with white cloth, and
Lefty was so busy creaming the pota-
toes that she forgot to wonder who,
after all, was coming, when the door
opened and her grandfather and
Uncle George walked in.
81 told you she'd be surprised" the
old man said to his son, misinterpre-
ting the look of astonishment on the
girls face.
81 hope Lefty enjoyed her stay in
the city," George Hudson remarked
to his father, as he sat on the porch
after supper, while Lefty did up the
dishes.
eyes, she had a good time, the old
man answered, "but guess she must
have got rather confused with the
noise and everything, for she clean
forgot all about new dress she had
been planning all summer to buy.
She picked berries to get the money.
You see, Hal Markham's sisters going
to be married pretty soon-I. guess
Hal likes Lefty pretty WE'LL" he
added, with sly wink--''and Lefty
was to stand up with her, but she for
got all about the dress" He laughed
heartily at his granddaughter's lapse
of memory. "Funny how forgetful
some people are!" he resumed after
while. "Why--" The old man
stopped suddenly and stared at his
son in amazement.
"What is it, father?" the son asked,
with anxiety
81 declared" he exclaimed. "Talk-
ing about forgetfulness made me re-.
member. Why, George, L forgot to
thank you for my PRESENT. Here I've
been using it every day, and haven't
said word to you about It'll OF
course, when Lefty went away" he
continued, while the look of perplexity
on the sons face deepened, 81 didn't
know what you'd send me. but knew
1t would be something nice.
II said to Lefty, Lefty, what do
you think George will send me?'
She couldn't guess, and neither could
|, but / said L hoped it would be
Bible with nice large print; and when
she got home, this is what she brought
mel Why, where is it?" he exclaimed,
with concern. 81 always keep it
right here. Lefty must have put it
away" and he started in quest OF the
missing book.
"But, father, don't understand.
What is this about my giving you
Bible?"
The old man stopped for moment,
gazed at his son with a euizzical look,
and laughed loud and long. "You
thought Lefty wouldn't toll who sent
it, didn't you? Oh, you like secrets
as well as your father" Still chuckling,
he went into the house.
One look at her uncle's face as he
hurried into the kitchen, and Lefty
knew that he had found out.
II know I'm wicked to deceive him
So" she stammered, while the tears
began to gather, "but, Uncle George,
| couldn't help it! He wanted the
Bible so much, and counted on your
sending him one. had to get it!
couldn't disappoipt himl"
why didn't you tell me?" he asked,
severely, ''I didn't know he wanted
oneW
But lie did not wait for an answer.
He suddenly remembered how little
he had seen OF Lefty while she was on
her visit. He had been busy on an
important case, and had hardly noticed
her. He recollected with pang of
romorse that he had scarcely even
asked after his father, much less
'"O"ShI vi pllI TOT MN, untll ne ma
received the letter asking him to come
back to the old farm for few days.
lis wife and children were at the sea-
coast, business was dull, aud he had
come-come empty-handed.
Another Bible?" asked Mr.. Saw
scr, in surprise. as he came in week
after Georges departure.
"Yes, George took that one back,
guess he hadn't examined it very
closely before, and he said the bind
inc. was poor, just as you thought,
and he sent me this" He displayed
a beautiful Bible in an adjustable
holder. "It's real comfortable and
handy" he continued, "and George
wrote my name in it himself" He
showed tho strong, business-like writ
ing with pardonable pride.
II told him I'll rather have his
writing, If it wasn't quite so fancy
though he 10 going to write once a