The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-09-29
Company r. the girl echoed. Why,

Company z? the girl echoed. Why,
who p q
II could tell,' he answered, '.but
you'd rather be surprised, would you
not % Il 81.
"of course, if you'd like it that way.
GRANDPA Their 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 further explanation. 4&@4
At the appointed time the next even
ing the kitchen fire was burning bright
~ and the kettle was sending up q
cloud of steam. The room was filled
with the odor of frying chicken. The
biscuit were in the edge of the oven,
covered with white cloth, and Lefty
was so busy Dreaming the potatoes that
she forgot to wonder who, after all,
| was coming, when the door opened and
her grandfather and Uncle George
walked in.
II told you she'd be surprised" tho
old man said to his son, misinterpretins
the look of establishment on the girl's
face.
II 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 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 plan
ming all summer to buy. She picked
berries to get the money. You see, Hal
Markham's sisters going to be mar
ried pretty soon-I guess Hal likes Let
ty pretty WE'LL" he added, with sly
wink-"and Lefty was to stand up with
her, but she forgot all about the Dress"
He laughed heartily at his granddaugh-
ter's lapse of memory. "Funny how
forgetful some people are!" he resumed
after awhile. "Why-" The old man
stopped suddenly and stared at his son
in amazement.
'What is it, father?" the son asked,
with anxiety.
II declared" he exclaimed. "Talking
about forgetfulness made me remem-
Der. Why, George, I forgot to thank
you for my present! Here I've been u.s.
ing it every day, and haven't said a
word to you about it! 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 it would be some-
thing nice.
II said to Lefty: Lefty, what do you
think George will send me?' She
couldn't guess, and neither could I, but
I said hoped it would be a Bible with
nice large print; and when she got
home, this is what she brought me!
Why, where is it," he exclaimed, with
concern. II always keep it right here.
Lefty must have put it away" and he
started in quest of the missing book.
'But, father, I don't understand.
What is this about my giving you a
Bible?'
The old man stopped for moment,
gazed at his son with quizzical look,
and laughed loud and long. "You
thought Lefty wouldn't tell who sent it.,
didn't you? Oh, you like secrets as
we'll as your father!" Still chuckling,
he went into the house.
One look at her uncle's face as he hur-
ried into the kitchen, and Lefty knew
that he had found out.
Il know I'm wicked to deceive him
So" she stammered, while the tears be-
gan to gather, ''but, Uncle George, I
couldn't help it! He wanted the Bible
SO much, and counted on your sending
disappoint him."
''Why didn't you tell me?" he asked
severely. II didn't know he wanted
one!"
, But he did not wait for an answer
He suddenly remembered how little he
had seen of Lefty while she was on her
r visit. He had been busy on an impor.
tant case, and had hardly noticed her
, He recollected with pang of remorse
that he had scarcely even asked after
his father, much less thought of gift
for him, until he had received the letter
asking him to come back to the ole
: farm for few days. His wife and chill
dren were at the seacoast, business was
dull, and he had come-come empty
. handed.
- 'Another Bible?" asked Mr.. Sawyer
in surprise, as he came in week after
! Georges departure.
= "Yes, George took that one back.
guess he hadn't examined it very close
ly before, and he said the binding wa:
r poor, just you thought, and he sent
: me this He displayed beautiful
. Bible in an adjustable holder. ''It':
real comfortable and handy he con
tinued, land George wrote my name in
it himself" He showed the strong
:, businesslike writing with pardonable
pride.
II told him I'd rather have his writ
ing, if it wasn't quite so fancy-though
he is going to write once week now
SO it doesn't matter so much" he added
: HE sent Lefty some things, too-some
:, dresses and hats-and last night I got
, a letter from his wife. She wants Lefty
r and me to come to the city for the holi
days. haven't been to New York since
:. George went there, ten years ago, anC
\ 1 want to see the town ever so much
And then they're going to. have g
=, Christmas tree" he added, with child.
like enthusiasm, land am to be Santa
:, Claus!"-Youth's Companion.
/