The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-07-16

NerSation 20 where it would. and
Nells spirits rose until Billy Ellis con-
Guided that Toms sister was n Jolly
little thing and turned his head i'm
her direction so frequently that her
l'brothcr'S eyes cleaned with delight.
But the wound s,ill ranked. and Mel
lie could hardly wait to get Jean Fair
fax home from the station before she
poured her mornings woe into that
sympathetic ear Jean looked Il little
blank and paused with hat-pins half
out.
"Oh, do you wear your dressing
sack at breakfast. Nen:"
why. yes, just at home. Don't
you?'
well, no, not ont OF my room. You
see papa ana the boys hate those loose
things so-most men do. l guess. Be
sides, there are a good many of us and
only one servant, so / am pretty busy
! helping mother mornings. If I didn't
dress before breakfast. L shouldn't get
/ time afterward You don't have to do
anything but amuse yourself, do you.
| you lucky old dear?"
Nell did not have much to say. She
was looking doubtful
BY Monday morning the family had
already fallen into the habit of linger-
ing at the breakfast table. There was
much TO linGer for. Three times in
succession Mr.. Howard had nut his
coffee down untaStcd, to laugh heartily
at lively skirmsh between Preston
Ellis and Jean Fairfax.
Would you two mind suspandjng
hostilitIes for few moments?'
Queried Tom. 81 should like to plan
little gadding How about tallv-ho
party for Thursday? We don't own
one OF those swell things ourselves.
but know OF a first-clasS one We could
hire, ana pretend we owned Il When
once We We're out OF town"
'Oh. goodg'
Ncll's eyes sh0ne with excitement.
but Tom suddenly looked doubtful.
ION. I'm so sorry So. really for
got you he said contritciy. Are
| you sure YOU could stand it? It's
long ride, You know, and YOU might
find it firing"
why, OF course could stand 1t.
What nonsense" Ncll turned to her
brother in incrcdulous aS,onishment.
well. If YOU really think it wouldn't
exhaust YOU lie said obviously. Then.
turning to the others lie added, in
grave explanation:
You see, Nclls health has been
very delicate since hec return from
school.I suppose she studied too hard.
but She seems all worn out-iust hangs
around without any ambition at all.
ana we want her TO be ia better shape
before she goes back"
lie said it with such frank innocence
Of manner, arE turned toward her
with such a touchingly solicitous air.
that it was oUt of the question TO take
exception to this remarkable state
ment Nell'S checks burned as she
remembered that she had never looked
plumper and healthier in her life. she
felt hysterical desire TO laugh rs
/ Billy Ellis turned TO her with n won
Ge'.nS. rs that so? Why, now. that's
too bad But after aH, ii was no
laughing matter Billy was rejecting
thar II was extremely disappointing
that Toms pretty sister should be one
OF the ctcrnally tired kind.
Wen. then. the taily-ho GOES for
Thursday continued Tom equally.
And Billy and / were saying yester-
day that IL would be Jolly to have an
all-dIy. outot-dOOrs, dC-as -you-pleasc
trip down the river. n sort of picnic
with modern improvements. and take
load OF things for the inner man.
How about that mother? Is Katie
too busy: Would it he much trouble
TO get us W some stuff for to-mor-
row.
"If it is going to make Mrs. Howard
any trouble announced Billy Ellis.
decidedly. ct won't come on. and tadt
settles it,
why, I can co IT," quickly inter
posed Nellie. Mother needn't DO any
/ thing
Yes ana I'll help Mrs. Howard
/ mustn't DO a single rhin- bu. SIT i'm
bis chair and give orders NcH and
1 can do IL all
Jean nodded her head conclusiyely
as she made this statement but Tom IS
anxious gaze was again bent on his
sister
Don't Doe reckless. SIS. There viii
ba lot of extra cooking TO DO, you
know. and 30 might give YOU ou, OF
your headaches { know YOU used To-
make cakes and Things. but you're not
used tO BE- now. agG We don't want you
/ tO oyorlo yourself"
"O. Tom how utterly ridiculous.
Why, 1 am just as wei as-as you
are"
Sell tried 10 speak lightly. but She