The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-09-17

hind her. But she opened 1t again to whis-
per, Roland, I'm going to tell mamma by
and-by, but I want to get decent first, SO
as not to make a sensation"
An solitary excursions being forbidden
after that, Marguerite found time hanging
rather heavily on her hands. Somehow
dolce far niente" seemed to extend be-
yond her expectations. She did not even
want to do the very thing that she gen
orally liked most.
Tired of it?" said Roland, seeing her
seated rather modify by the window to-
ward sunset.
MOI answered Marguerite, stoutly,
making an effort to look delighted, and
not succeeding very well.
The next day was rainy, and she could
not go out but Kate was picking tomatoes
and making peach pies. Generally she or
dered intruders out of the kitchen on such
occasions, but Marguerite begged so hard
to be allowed to stay and see her work,
because, you know, ! have nothing else
to do that Kate at last consented.
well, Kate, take out a little for me,
won't you? And oh, Kate, mayn't l eat
that which you take off the SYRUP"
"Oh. no, my child; that's scum-it's no
good"
but 1t must be sweet and nice, and I
wish you'd let me skim 1t Off"
II tell you you couldn't do 1t; but you
may walt there and see If 1T bofls over
while I'm gone. Don't let the fire go out;
I've got to see to the butter"
Marguerite watched faithfully and pretty
soon the preserves began to boil. She
called to Kate, but Kate could not hear.
"Oh, dear, / suppose 1t will kill 1t to boil;
but she did not tell me what to do. Kate!
Kate! Oh, dear! what shall do with it? I
can't help it boiling, 1 will try TO take it
off"
She took hold of the preserving kettle
with energy, but 1t was heavier than she
thought. The handle grew suddenly fiery
in her hands and she half set, half dropped
it down on Rates clean floor The hot
syrup splashed on her dress and over her
feet and the floor. High boots kept her
from harm. But Hates face peeping In at
this moment was sight to behold.
For heavens sake!" screamed she,
whats turned up? Child, what are you
about!'
at boiled. Kate" said Marguerite, nerv-
ously and | tried to take 1t off and II
burnt me, and l set 1t down, and it was so
heavy that l could not hold it any longer.
Tisn't gomez
"All gone. Just look at my floor all COW
cred with crock and syrup running all.oyer
IT! Mercy! what a piece of work. and
Kate dashed at 1t as If 1t had been an in
Vading army.
Marguerite went up stairs with melan-
choly reflections, but was soon aroused
by nearing 0eT mOiHeT tACldiill III thc Gil
try. "Why, where did this come from?
Here is syrup dripped all along the new
mating just put down this summer and
over the stairs!'
'There!' said Marguerite, there it is
again! Ma" opening I1e door, Il did
it; it dripped from my dress I have
had terrible time; l dropped the syrup
and crooked the floor and put Kate in
rage and burnt my fingers"
land had splendid time, dolce far nient-
ing" sang out Roland, Who always turned
up when he wasn't wanteo.
But Marguerite was too much under a
cloud to be resentful and did not reply 10
him: but said to her mother, very grave
ly Ma, 1t is quite impossible to do noth-
ing: but it is horrid to do mischief: and
] believe I'd rather endure geography af-
ter all. Though 1t isn't because l don't
like to do nothing" she added, to take the
ledge off of Roland's triumph, ITS because
VI keep doing wrong things, II I'm not doing
right ones"
And after tliat week Marguerite's mann
ma never had any more difficulty getting
her to study her lessons and practice her
music. $50