The Jennings daily record., 1902-06-25
group and a little CULVER choked her

voice.
II guess it 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 sfnger!"
won't your cousin let you? Well,
think she's just the stingiest"-
Letitia turned quickly. Her usually
gentle face was flushed with anger.
Il don't know what you mean, Lu-
ella Andrews! 1 guess my cousins
just the incest cousin in the world!
I thought you We're my friend She
broke of and walked away to the end
of the playground. Just then Lucilla
ran after her penitently.
Don't get mad, Letitia! I'm real
sorry-1 truly am. 1t was Just be-
pointed"
soberly. Il didn't mean to get mad.
l guess ! feel crooked some way to-
day." she added. slowly.
Oe pSll TduS Lueu, anu IueS udu u
go in. Letitia took her seat, still with
a 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 tnvesti-
gate records, and see that all the
graves and all the old soldiers were
honored. Suddenly 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-
tented to see the child happy.
One night at supper Letitia looked
UP suddenly. She was just lifting her
glass Of water, and she put it down
and stared at Cousin Liza with eyes
shining with a new thought.
why, Cousin 'Ltza," she exclaimed
"Well, WHAT"
"Were you alive in the war;"
''Of course, child! What put that in
your head?"
"Oh, nothing" answered Letitia.
with happy little laugh; 'only-it's
so queer I never thought Of it before,
guess those lilacs Will be, lovely next
week. You don't care if l carry some
to old Mrs. Price when I go next
Thursday, do you?"
Land no. child. You can have the
whole bush If you want it; ! don't
care"
Letitia opened her mouth to say
something; then she changed her mind
and only smiled happily across the
! purple top of the lilac bush.
Decoration Day was warm and
! bright, and as soon as the dishes we're
washed Letftia went out in the yard to
get her lilacs. She cut very carefully,
| leaving some still on the bush. Cousin
Liza was busy in the kitchen. Letitia
ran hurriedly upstairs and came down
| with something that she put on the
! sitting-room table; then she picked up
! her IfIacs and appeared once more at
the kitchen door, her bright face shin
ing over her fragrant burden.
Pm going now, Cousin Liza" she
said. III be sure to be back in time
for dinner"
You needn't hurry It's going to
be pretty warm today. 1t won't hurt
if 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 Deaora-
tion Day, Cousin Liza"
She nodded brightly. and then went
happily down the road. Cousin 'Lizs
finished her work. and then went into
the sitting-room, but stopped short a,
the table. There lay a piece of paper
on which were fastened two tiny flags
tied together with a bit Of red ribbon
leaves; under it was a note, in care
full. childish writing:
Dear Dear Cousin 'Liza:-I Civ,
you this because It's Decoration Day
and because you lived in war time ant
know all about 1t and because you'v,
been 30 good-so good to me- l hop,
you'll like the flags and the wreath
] thought maybe they would last bette
than just flowers. l wish / could hav,
made 1t look better, but somehow tn,
leaves would twist a little crooked. bu
you won't mind it so very much, will
you? Good-by dear Cousin Liza, from
Letitia."
The woman stood looking at tn
awkward little wreath. Then she GOV