The Red Cloud chief., 1901-06-07

II guess II won't make any differ
ence-about the marching. I mean. I
can't CO."
The girls looked at her in amaze
ment.
"Letitia Banks. what do you mean ?"
why. Letitia. you've got to! We
can't get along without you; you're
our best singer!"
Won't your cousin let you? Well.
I think she's Just the s~tingiest"-
Letitia turned quickly. Her usually
gentle face was flushed with anger.
II don't know what you mean, Luz
ella Andrews! guess my cousins
just the incest cousin In the world!
thought you were my friend" She
broke OF and walked away 10 the end
OF the playground. Just then Lucilla
ran after her p%enitently.
Don't get mad. Letitia! I'm real
sorry-I truly am. 1t was Just be-
cause was so d~readfully disap-
pointed"
so was l." answered Letitia. still
soberly. II didn't mean to get mad.
! guess ! feel crooked some way to-
day. she added. slowly.
The bell rang then, and they had to
go In. Letitia took her seat, still with
n serious face, for Miss Carrie was to
tell more about the Decoration Day
plans; she wished that she could study
during the talk, and she began think
Ing over the products Of South Amer
lea, yet drifting between them came
the teachers words. Miss Carrie was
telling about a committee to investi-
gate records, and see that all the
graves and all the old soldiers were
honored. Suddenly a thought came to
Letitia, and she forgot all about the
products of South America, and almost
spoke out loud. why, how funny. I'll
have to be a committee all by my
SELF" she said.
For the next week Letitia was very
busy. Cousin Liza let her have near
ly all her afternoons for play, and
Letitia spent them In making visits
or In working up In her room. Cousin
Liza asked no questions; she was con
to see the child happy.
One night at supper Letitia looked
up suddenly. She was just lifting her
glass OF water. and she put 1t down
and stared at Cousin Liza with eyes
shining with a new thought.
Why, Cousin Liza she exclaimed.
well. what?"
'tNprp vntt o1fva In tha ,a,o,p
"of course. child! What put that in
your head?"
oh, nothing" answered Letitia,
with a happy little laugh; "only-it's
queer | v thought OF 1t before!
| guess those lilacs Will be lovely next
week. You don't care II | carry some
old Mrs. Price when | go next
Thursday, do your"
Land no. child. You can have the
whole bush II you want 1t; I don't
Letitia opened her mouth to a.
something; then she changed her mind
only smiled happily across the
purple top OF the lilac bush.
Decoration Day was warm and
bright, and as soon as the dishes were
Letitia went out in the yard to
get her lilacs. She cut very carefully,
some still on the bush. Cousin
Liza was busy In the kitchen. Letitia
hurriedly upstairs and came down
something that she put on the
sitting-room table; then she picked I'D
her lilacs and appeared once more at
the kitchen door, her bright face shin
ing over her fragrant burden.
I'm going now, Cousin Liza" she
I'll be sure to be back In time
dinner"
you needn't hurry It's going to
pretty warm today. II won't hurt
Il dinner is a little late for once"
"Oh. I'm 80 glad" said Letitia; mot |
about the %hurrying, you know; but be-
cause I'll have more time for calls.
guess It's going to be a nice Decora-
ton Day, Cousin Liza"
She nodded brightly. and then went
happily down the road. Cousin Liza
finished her work. and then went into
s~itting-room, but stopped short ut
table. There lay a piece OF paper
on which were fastened two tiny flags
tied together with a bit OF red ribbon
and surrounded by a wreath of ivy
leaves; under il was q note, In care
childish writing:
Dear Dear Cousin 'Liza:-I give
you this because It's Decoration Day,
and because you lived In war time and
know all about II and because you've
beer so good-so good TO me. hope
you'll like the flags and the wreath.
! thought maybe they would last better
than just flowers. | wish | could have
made 1t look better, but somehow the
leaves would twist a little crooked, but
you won't mind IL so very much, will
your Good-by. dear Cousin Liza, from
Letitia."
The woman stood looking at the
awkward little wreath. Then she COW
cred her face with her hard, worn
hands that had labored so faithfully.
but so proudly and resentfully. through
the hard years since tho "war tir.on