The suburban citizen., 1900-10-20
200 . think that l can't go

ing tit to Wearl Anu
have never been to n real
party in my life-only the quilting
bees and apple-parlng frolics given
around here! And the Faulkners are
such nice people! wonder they even
thought Of asking me! And now to
have to decline! 1t does seem too
hardr
And the tears rushed to Effie Crof-
toms eyes and rolled slowly down her
rosy cheeks
wouldn't your blue muslin, if care
fully wash"
"Aunt Hepsy! That old worn-out
rag! What can you be thinking Of?
No. I'll have to stay at home; that's
all there is about it. and l might as
well make the best of it"
And Effie rose from her seat i'm the
old wooden rocker, threw on the kltch-
en- table the dainty note of invitation,
and, walking to the window, stood
there looking out on the farm-yard
the old red barn, and the peach trees
loaded with pink bloom, but seeing
nothing because Of those hot rebel
nous tears that filled her young eyes.
81 wish could help you, sister
said Herman, who was sitting on the
step Of the kitchen door, caressing the
silky ears Of a beautiful brown and
white setter dog. But l don't see
how it is possible. 1t will take every
penny can scrape together to pay
the interest Il the mortgage due next
Thursday"
Il don't expect you to help me, re.
Joined Efie, without turning from the
window. "a We given up expecting
anything. / suppose l shall stay all
my life on this old farm, never having
amusement of any kind, ald wearing
dark calicoes and washed-out muslins
from January to December. l some
times think / actually hate the farm,
and every tree and spear Of grass on
It,"
"Efie! Eficw Aunt Hepsy looked
over her steel-bowed glasses in sur
prise and rebuke. You don't know
what you are saying, child.'
Il know that I'd leave the farm if
could" cried Effie, unmindful Of the
panied look on her brothers face.
1--WE shall never be any better off, and
it will be work and grind TO the end
of the chapter. 1t makes me fairly
sick to think OF it"
"You should not talk that way be.
fore Herman, Efie," said Aunt Hepsy,
as the young man rose from the step
and walked towards the barn. Leo
following at his heels. You know
how hard he has TO work, and how
carefully he has had to manage things
ever since your father died. He never
spends an unnecessary cent on him
self, and dear knows, he don't have
any pleasure. 1t isn't right for you to
reproach him"
Effie's eyes followed her brother un-
til he disappeared in the barn.
He was tall and broad -shouldered
but his face was Drowned by the sun
his hands were rough and callous with
toll, and his clothes were threadbare
and fitted him badly.
He was good brother, and Efie
was generally very ready to acknowl
edge his virtues, but to-day she was
In an unusual mood, consequent on moi
having dress fit to wear to Mrs
Faulkner's garden party.
The Fauikners were city people whC
had rented a large country house only
a mile from the Crofton farm, anC
they kept 1t filled to Overfiowing witt
guests, for whose amusement the!
were alwars giving croquet and gar
den parties, picnics and water excur
sions, depending upon the guests a
the Lakeside Hotel to make up sufh
clently large party.
Mrs Faulkner met Efiie by accident
and was so much pleased with he
/ that she asked her to call.
And Efie, wearing her worn blu
muslin and last summers hat, ha,
done so, and had returned home NOR
dscontented than ever with her lot
more anxious than ever TO see some
thing Of that great busy world 0
which the Faulkners talked so famil
iarly.
Miss Allen, an old lady who ha,
spent two summers at the Lakesid
Hotel, had promised that she shoul
see it some day, and Efiie had for
iong time confidently expected an in
vitation to visit her; but it had neve
come, and she had ceased to hope 10
it. She had not even heard fror
Miss Allen for months, and this fac
alone had caused her a good deal O
bitterness, though she would not hav
liked to confess 1t.
"Come Efie, don't stand there an
fret; it won't help matters any" sal
Aunt Hepsy. There's the bread {