The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-05-18
CARRIES CURIOSITY.

UIltlIIiL U UUiIIuuIIII
Mother, can have the key of the
garnet now?" asked Guy Brooks, one
October afternoon, coming into the
room where his mother was trying a
dress on his little sister.
yes, but l thought you wouldn't
want it for a month yet"
James thought we had better take
it now" and then Guy went close to
his mother and whispered something
in her ear.
Every WELL" said Mrs. Brooks, "just
as you like, of course. You'll find
the key hanging on a nail by my
bureau. 1t has piece of blue ribbon
on it."
"The garnet isn't locked. l saw the
door open yesterday" said Carrie, as
her brother was turning away. what
do you want of the key? And what
are you going to do up there, Guy?"
81 can't tell you. Only mother and
James and | are to know about it."
ooh, how mean! Please, please
tell me-" and Carries face began to
cloud over at once.
NO, can't tell you" repeated Guy.
"It's secret"
'Then won't you let me come up
into the garnet after awhile?"
mo; we're going to keep the door
locked all the time. You must learn
to curb your curiosity" and Guy went
out, whistling.
He's just as mean as he can be-"
said Carrie. fretfully. "He always
has told me everything, and l think
he might tell me this"
Don't be so curious, little daugh-
ter" said her mother. "Take it for
granted that your brother has some
good reason for not telling you his
secret"
There can't be any reason" whin-
ed Carrie. Hes only afraid I'd tell.
And | can keep secrets as well as
anybody. l don't see why he can't
let me come up in the garnet Just
little while. I haven't been up there
for ever so long"
Mrs. Brooks laughed.
you might have gone up there
every day for the past five years if
you had cared to do So she said.
"Now, don't fret. but take your dolly
and go over and play with Hazel
Dent"
Il don't want to play with Hazel"
said Carrie routing. 81 want to go
up in the garrett"
Mrs. Brooks made no reply, but,
taking her work basket. left the room.
Carrie heard her go into the dining
room and close the door, and she
didn't like to follow her, for she felt
rather ashamed OF having said so
much
She went to the open window and
leaned out. Guy and James were in
the Toulouse. She could hear them
throwing over boards and talking. but
could not distinguish a word they
said; which she thought very pro-
voking. for she felt sure they were
talking about the secret.
1T will be so lonesome down here
all by myself" she thought, dismally.
Il think they might let me go up in
the garnet. I wouldn't be any trouble
to them. ! never even talk when Guy
tells me not to-"
Then all at once an idea flashed in
W llCl llAAlln koAAt nfolldlCu Il ulO-
ment, and her face grew very red.
She opened the door which led into
the hall, and crept softly upstairs.
She paused when she reached the
garnet door. half afraid to go in, for
the garnet was q very lonesome place,
and she had never been in it alone
But her curiosity got the better of
her fear and She entered at last, and
closed The doc behind her.
There were plelty of good hiding
places for tie Garrett was half full Of
boxes. barrels nd trunks, and Carrie
crept tehiaa . Bis packing box, feel.
- uie that she would not be dis.
ccVo.o'
SIC ~. a.i'v settled herself in a
.if-~tonie lccition when she heard
~ boys con ing.
The f-r iag hey did when they
a1tr u ST. o l0tk the door.
% ics' w-at Carrie to get the
le 81 Of this" said James.
'r-o Guild spoil 1t ALL" said
Cr Du' { Couldn't help feeling a
,tln sorrv When I had to tell her
A. -l'c couldn't some up here. She
frgn cd to come so much"
''N . ~. -saialn everything to her
erid James "It will
take us at least six weeks to get the
thirg finished, but l rather think we
win turn out a bsby house at the end
Of that time which will throw Hazel
Dents all in the shade"
Mother thought we were not going
to begin for a month yet" said Guy;
"but"but it will be too cold to work
up here after the middle of November,
and we haven't any other place which
we could keep locked up"
And he measured board, and be-
gan to saw diligently.
''Mr. Cross has promised me a piece
Of fur. and mean to make some rugs
70 G = 49, n trc ~0fn prd hadc !"