St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-12-23
CARRIES CURIOSITY.
BY Florence B. Hallowell.
MOTHER, can / have the key ot


lvl the garret now?" asked Gu,
Brooks, one October afternoon. comm,
into the room where his mother was try
ing dress on his little sister.
"les. but 1 thought you wouldn'
want it for month yet"
James thought we had better take i
now." and then Guy went close to hi.
mother and whispered something in hel
ear.
very well." said Mrs. Brooks, '.jus'
as you like. Of course. You'll find tfle
key hanging on nail by my bureau. L
has piece Of blue ribhen on it."
"The garret isn't locked. / saw the
door open yesterday said Carrie. n
her brother was turningaway. "Wha,
do You want of the key? And what are
you going to do up there, Guy?'
Il can't tell you. Only mother and
James and / are to know about it,
e'Oh. how mean! Please, please tell
me-" and Carries face began to cloud
over at once.
No. can't tell you," repeated Guy.
Its a secret"
Then won't you let me come up into
the garret after awhile?'
mo: we're going to keep the door
locked all the time. You must learn to
curb yoar curiosity" and Guy went out,
whistling. 80
Hes just as mean as he can be, said
Carrie. fretfully. He always has told
me everything, and think he might tell
me this
Don't be so curious, little daughter"
said her mother. 'Take it for granted
that your brother has some good reason
for not telling you his secret
There can't be any reason" whined
Carrie. Hes only afraid I'd tell. And
l can keep secrets as well as anybody
don't see why he can't let me come up
in the garret just a little while. 1
haven't been up there for ever so long,
Mrs. Brooks laughed.
"You might have gone up there every
day for the past five years if you had
cared to do So" she said. ''Now, don't
fret, but take your dolly and go over and
play with Hazel Dent
II don't want to play with Hazel"
said Carrie. pouting. Il want to 20 up
in the garrett"
Mrs. Brooks made no reply, but, TAX
ing her work basket. left the room. Car
rie heard her go into the dining-room
and close the door. and she didn't like
TO follow her. for she felt rather
ashamed Of having said so much.
She went to the open window and
leaned out. Guy and James were in the
Toulouse. She could hear them throw
ing over boards and talking. but could
not distinguish word they said; which
she thought very provoking. for she felt
sure they were talking about the Sc
cret.
ut will be so lonesome down here all
by myself" she thought. dismally. I
think they might let me go up in the
garret. l wouldn't be any trouble to
them. / never even talk when Guy tells
me not to-"
Then all at once an idea flashed into |
her mind. She hesitated a moment. and |
her face grew very red. She opened the |
door which led into the hall, and crept |
softly upstairs.
She paused when she reached the gar
ret door, half afraid to go in. for the gar
ret was very lonesome place, and she
had never been in it alone. But her Gu
riosity got the better of her fear, and
she entered at last, and closed the door
behind her.
There were plenty of good hiding
places. for the garret was half full of
boxes, barrels and trunks, and Carrie
erept behind big packing box, feeling
sure that she would not be discovered.
She had hardly settled herself in a
comfortable position when she heard
the boys coming.
The first thing they did when they
entered was to lock the door.
| don't want Carrie to get the least
suspicion of this" said James.
No; that would spoil it all. said Guy.
But l couldn't help feeling little sor-
y when | had to tell her that she
.ouldn't come up here She wanted to
come so much" |,
We can explain everything to her at
Christmas" said James. ut will take
IS at least six weeks to get the thing
finished. but 1 rather think we will turn
'nt a baby house at the end of that time
which will throw Hazel Dents all in the
shade"
Mother thought we were not going
o begin for month yet" said Guy:
but it will be too cold to work up here
Ifter the middle of November. and we U
haven't any other place which we could
eeep locked up" t
And he measured board, and began
o saw diligently.
MI. Cross has promised me a piece Of
ur, and mean to make some rugs fol
o IN front of the sofa and beds" said
lanes, "and we must paper the walls
Il all the rooms, Guy" 4
WeH make balcony. and put lit q
le rustic seat On II. !" said Guy. 81 don't
'elieve ] can wait for Christmas to I