The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-05-30

What nonsensew Nell turned to her
brother In increduIous astonishmcnt.
"Well, II you really think 1t wouldn't
exhaust you" he said dubiously. Then.
turning to the others he added, in
grave explanations:
"You see. Nell's health has been
very delicate since her return from
school. I suppose she studied too hard.
but she seems all worn out-just hangs
around without any ambition at all,
and we want her to be In better shape
before she goes back"
He said 1t with such frank innocence
of manner. and turned toward her
with such a touchingly solicitous air.
that it was out of the question to take
exception to this remarkable state
ment. Nells cheeks burned as she
remembered that she had never looked
plumper and healthier in her life. she
felt a hysterical desire to laugh as
Billy Ellis turned to her with won
derlng as that so? Why, now. that's
too bad" But after all, 1t was no
laughing matter. Billy was rejecting
that 1t was extremely disappointing
that Toms pretty sister should be one
Of the eternally tired kind.
"Well, then, the tally-ho goes for
Thursday" continued Tom, equally.
"And Billy and l were saying yester-
day that 1t would be jolly to have an
all-day. out-ofdoors, do-as-you-please
trip down the river. sort of picnic
with modern improvements, and take
load of things for the inner man.
How about that, mother? Is Katie
too busy? Would 1t be much trouble
to get us up some stuff for to-mor-
row?"
'If It is going to make Mrs. Howard
any trouble" announced Billy Ellis,
decidedly, sit won't come off, and that
settles It,"
"Why, / can do itr' quickly inter-
posed Nellie. Mother needn't do any
thing"
"Yes, and I'll help. Mrs. Howard
mustn't do a single thing but sit in a
big chair and give orders. Nell and
can do it ALL"
Jean nodded her head conclusively
as she made this statement, but Toms
anxious gaze was again bent on his
sister.
Don't be reckless, sis. There will
be lot of extra cooking to do, you
know, and it might give you one of
your headaches. l know you used to
make cakes and things, but you're not
used to it now, and we don't want you
to overdo yourself"
20, Tom, how utterly ridiculous!
Why, / am just as well as-as you
are"
Nell tried to speak lightly. but she
could have cried then and there. 1t
was too humiliating for a plump, rosy
girl of nineteen to be held up before
strangers as a detected invalid.
Toms medicine was by no means
exhausted, in fact, he considered that
his heroic treatment was just begun,
but Mrs. Howard had keener eyes
than he for signals of distress, and
she felt that Nell had been punished
enough. Her eyes conveyed quiet
warning to Tom, who responded gal
lantly and led the conversation
promptly to less personal topics.
When Mrs. Howard went into the
kitchen a few moments later, she
found her daughter and Jean already
there, attired in voluminous aprons.
Katie, more than ever busy with this
houseful of young people on her hands,
had thankfully improved the oppor-
tunity to slip upstairs. Nell was busy
collecting materials for her cakes, but
there were signs of a storm in her
flushed face and unsteady lips. AS
Mrs. Howard opened the door, she
recklessly dropped an egg and hurled
herself tempestuously into those ever
ready arms, which closed warmly
about her.
~, mamma, mamma, think Tom is
just too horridl / know I've been a
mean, selfish thing, and 1 just hate
myself, but l will help you all can,
and l won't wear that horrid sack, or
come down late, or be lazy and care
less, or-or-oh, dear"
Mrs. Howard bent tenderly over the
brown head laid in woe and repent
ance on her shoulder. Tom came
swinging in at the back door. think
Ing remorsefully that perhaps he had
been a little hard. and wanting to
make peace with Nell. He stopped
short as he saw them. Jean, ever
tactful. motioned him to come in, and
slipped quietly out Of the dooE-
Youths Companion.