The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-12-22

Q0F lace While Sue Slept, say lug, ncu
head. sleepy head, go to bed"
Naturally Marion grew to dread the
| presence of her cousins when she felt
herself becoming sleepy. Strictly speak
ing. her hair was not red. but beauti-
| full shade of auburn. Aunt Patience
| presently called up the stairs, "Ain't
! you got the beds made yet, Marion"
Eyes, ma'am," answered Marion. Her
voice trembled, for she was crying.
"Then don't stay moping up there in
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.
whats 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 Ann" con.
| tinued Cathie.
II 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 ny
hand mirror"
81 don't want your hand mirror" said
Marion.
One of the boys now said "Reddy!'
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, go
into the wGodhouse and cut kindling,
And you. Tillie and Cathie, go dust the
| parlor furniture"
This command left Marion aiJne In
| the dining room. Soon she found her.
self nodding over her sewing. "Oh,
dearr' 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 quietly"
She looked at the big sofa, which
was a sofa bed Of the kind that folds
back. Marion noticed n 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 continuance
reminded Marion of berth In sleep
ing car, and she had a sudden inspira-
ton to creep into the canning little re-
treat and take her nap unseen, and SO
escape molestation.
Aunt Patience was hard at work IL
the kitchen preparing for Christmas
when a rap at the door announced q
| stranger.
"Good morning, madam" said O
4
amiable, CHEEKY face partially muf
fed In a sealskin cap. Have you
any old furniture to sell? It's my bust
ness to buy old articles that are in
| demand, renew them in my shop In
town and sell them as antiques" Tho
| man handed Mrs. Croftroad q business
| card ON which was printed, "Cassius
| Quinette, Dealer In Antique Furni
l ture."
"Weli," said Aunt Patience, show
| ing the man into the dining room, 81
| don't care If you make an antique out
of that old sofa. It's only rompinq
| place for the children, and they've got
the cloth nearly all torn off It,"
| Eyes, l 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 oil
money that made her smile.
| Take it, and welcome" she said
glad to be rid of what was to her ar
eyesore ard Il 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 hi:
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 ha(
good taste and plenty Of means t.
crafty it.
| "Oh, yes, l have every comfort ant
luxury" Mrs. Quinette would &C
| knowIedpe when her friends expressed