The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-12-22

the cold, or the FIRST thing you'll be
falling asleep"
The little girl tried hastily to hide
the traces of her tears, but her eyes
were red when she came into the din
| ing room.
"What's the matter, Mary Ann?" ask
ed Jim.
Marion disliked to be called "Mary
Ann" and she did not answer.
"Been mapping already this morning.
Mary Ann" asked Jack.
Say, Mary Ann, Mary Annw con-
tinued Cathie.'
| 81 would thank you to call me by my
proper name," said Marion when she
| could endure the teasing no longer.
"You know well enough that my name
is not Mary Ann"
| Marion, your hair Is awful red when
the sun shines on it," said Matilda
"You can't deny it. I'll get you my
hand mirror"
| 81 don't want your hand Mirror" said
| Marion.
| One Of the boys now said "Reddyw
and the new nickname was repeated
amid shouts Of Laughter
The cousins did not really intend to
be unkind, but they loved to tease
When Aunt Patience was tired of the
| noise, she came bustling in from the
kitchen with her sleeves rolled up. BE
still, every one Of you! she said sharp
| ly. ITS enough to make body wish
| there was no Christmas, the way you
| carry on. Here, you, Jim and Jack!
| Go right out and shovel the snow of
the road to the gate. And you, 10, 60
| into the woodhouse and cut kindling,
And you, Tillie and Cathie, 60 dust the
parlor furniture
This command left Marion alone in
| the dining room. Soon she found her.
self nodding over her sewing. ooh,
dear" she thought. 81 wish l didn't
| get these sleepy spells! The boys will
soon be coming In. Oh, for some place
to go and sleep quietlyv'
She looked at the big sofa, which
was a sofa bed of the kind that folds
back. Marion noticed shelf under,
meath the cushioned springs. Evident
ly this was intended to be utilized as a
place to keep bedding. The shelf was
empty, however, save for a little pill
low and an old shawl, and a width Of
lining cloth hung from the top, con.
cealing the opening. The contrivance
reminded Marion Of berth in Sleep
Ing car, and she had a sudden inspira-
tion to creep into the cunning little re-
treat and take her nap unseen, and SO
escape molestation.
Aunt Patience was hard at work in
the kitchen preparing for Christmas
when rap at the door announced a
stranger.
Good morning, madam" said a
| pleasant voice that seemed to suit the
amiable, CHEEKY face partially muf-
| fled in sealskin cap. "Have you
any old furniture to sell? It's my BUSH
f: ness to buy old articles that are in
demand, renew them in my shop in
| town and sell them as antiques" The
man handed Mrs Croftroad business
card on which was printed, "Cassius
Quinette, Dealer In Antique Furni-
ture."
"Well," said Aunt Patience, show
| ing the man into the dining room, 81
| uOu care III you nuke du dutlQue out
| of that old sofa. It's only a romping
| place for the children, and they've got
the cloth nearly all torn off it,
Yes, / see," smiled the man good
naturally. He gave the springs of the
sofa downward press with his hands,
examined the mahogany veneering and
then offered Mrs. Croftroad a sum Of
money that made her smile.
"Take 1t, and welcome" she said,
glad to be rid of what was to her an
eyesore and q nuisance.
| With the help Of Jim and Jack the
sofa was presently loaded on the wag-
on of the purchaser and directly Mr..
Cassius Quinette was driving along
the smooth white road to town, con-
graduating himself on his latest bar
| gain. In the city Mr.. Quinette and his
wife occupied the dwelling part of the
house over the store and workroom.
They had their living apartments ar
ranged very cozily, for they both had
good taste and plenty of means to
| crafty it.
"Oh, yes, have every comfort and
luxury" Mrs. Quinette would ac-
knowledge when her friends expressed