The record-union., 1899-05-21

fixed up my other one splendidly,
mother No, I'm not sorry one Bit
Il was down to sea Miss Lubbock this
morning., said her mother, and she
took me outside the first thing, to show
me her new front steps and the new
tin roof on her woodshed That is what
Mr.. Patterson has done for her And
there was the cord of wood that Ben
Stacey ordered for her, and went down
himself and piled up in her shed And
she said, what, is true, that it has all
come of your paying Mr.. Patterson
that BILL
Il suppose it has" Gertrude admit
ted; land there's one thing more
Aida Coryell told me she'd been think
ing it over, and she asked her father
If he wouldn't take Miss Lubbock some
of their red Spitzenbergs, and he's go
ing to take her a bushel of them, and
some cabbages and turnips, too
1T is really remarkable. One young
girl said her mother does a kind
and generous thing, and lot
There, mother!' said Gertrude.
They We're making ready for Aunt
Malvina Haworth. She came the next
day, and filled the house Immediately
with her wholesome. cheerful presence.
Aunt Malvina was not very old lady,
though she had grandchildren.
"Sealskin cloak, and diamond ear
rings Hugh said to Gertrude; don t
she look splendid? If you amt rich
yourself, it's. kind of nice to know
somebody that is, amt it?
They all sat that evening in jolly
circle, and visited
grownl" said Aunt Malvina. Il believe,
Gertrude, you are as tall as Edith, and
Edith is Is" Edith was Aunt NAL
vinas granddaughter
Il Think said Aunt Malvina, with
peculiar interest, that you are quite
as tall as Edith. Possibly a little slen-
derer, but-well, l will go right and get
it now 1t is in my trunk And she
rustled out of the room, mysteriously
TT is a jacket" she said, returning,
that 1 bought for Edith, but it was a
little snug for her across the shoulders,
and it didn't quite suit her, anyhow;
she wanted a black one she had seen,
with fancy cuffs and collar; you know
Edith is a spoiled monkey" said her in
dulgent grandmother, laughing. And
so l gave her the money to buy it, and
I told her I should bring this one and
see if it fitted you, Gertrude. 1 de-
spise sending things back to the stores
when once you've bought them" said
Aunt Malvina, who always made pres
ents, however valuable, with the same
off-hand manner. TRY it on"
"Well-well-well. cried Hugh.
''Well, WE'LL Gertrude's father echoed.
His eyes twinkled
And her mother laughed softly 1t
was al dark green jacket, lined with red
silk; the material was the finest, and
it was heavily and beautifully braided.
1t was, Gertrude realized, staring at it
with wide, bewildered eyes. one of the
handsomest coats she had ever seen.
Il believe it fits said Aunt NAL
vina. She buttoned it; she scanned it
| closely and eagerly Well" she pro-
nounced, with profound satisfaction,
| IF that isn't a beautiful fit, Now
isn't it?''
You would think it had been made
| for her. said Gertrude's father
| Talk about the paper on the WALTZ
said Hugh, cycling it,
TT is really perfect" Gertrude's
mother said
Hugh pulled Gertrude before the
glass. 'Therel Would you know your
self? Don't you look like a swell,
! thought"
Gertrude looked ''Oh, Aunt NAL
vina!" she said. Il don't know what
to say. Oh, what shall I say?" She
caught her mothers smiling eyes. "Oh,
mother" she gasped, and it's green.'
It's green Hugh echoed: "hurrah.''
They were standing around her in an
admiring ring, and instigated by Hugh,
| they Joined hands and circled around
! her in sort of rejoicing war-dance,
Aunt Malvina and ALL "Hoorayl"
Hugh shouted. "Hooray! It's greenl''
Gertrude's mother was laughing. till
her cheeks were red. But she looked
proudly at her pretty daughter, and
there was a mistiness in her eyes that
| did not come of laughter.
IF l were to tell you, Aunt Malvina y
she said, why your beautiful present
| is so singularly welcome, and why we
are all SO glad so very glad for Ger
trude's sake
"There Don't, mother!" Gertrude
| protested
Go on, mother" Hugh shouted I'll
i tell if you don't" And he did tell
| Aunt Malvina made no remark. but
she stroked the well-fitting shoulders
of the jacket and smoothed the sleeves
and put her arms round Gertrude
and kissed her.-Utica Journal