The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-07-04

times that always came with Alice's
visits, and it had been hard
Ruth tried to enjoy the game of au
thors that mamma proposed. 1t was
lovely of mamma to put her work
aside.
They were sitting very still. and
Ruth was deciding what to call for
next, when there came a knock at the
side door
Mamma went out, closing the door
behind her.
The girls could not come over
now" Ruth thought. She did not
know that the card had been down
since yesterday.
Presently mamma came back.
Did you find you had Martin Chuz-
zlewit, LIZ" she asked, as she took up
her cards.
Ruth looked to see and forgot to
ask who had come.
When the game was finished it was
only seven o'clock.
Il suppose they've just had tea,"
said Ruth. She had had hers early.
Probably" said her mother, smil-
ing.
And just then such a droll thing
happened
A little bell began to ring, right
there in the room. Ruth knew at once
that something pleasant was happen
ing.
Where could the bell be? And who
was ringing it? 1t sounded very near
mamma. Why, yes! there it was-a
tiny little call bell fastened to the
back of her collar. There was a long
string tied to it, which lay on the floor
and went away under the entry door.
oh, mamma, the girls haven't for
gotten met" cried the delighted child.
No, dear; this means 1 am to go to
the door" answered her mamma,
Hannah was to bring over what they
sent and ring this bell"
Ruth could hardly wait till her
mother came, bringing a box with a
note on top.
The note said: Dear Ruthie. we
all wish you could be here. We hone
we can make it next best for you
Your mother said you could have what
we send now, if you'd do just as, she
told you about eating the things. We
know you will" Then all the girls
had signed their names.
In the box were some lovely nut
butter sandwiches, a tumbler of cur
rant Jelly and another of ounce pre-
serve, bottle of grape Juice and
some very pretty little fancy cakes
and crackers.
Mamma let Ruth eat one tiny sand
Wlch, little of the jelly and one of |
the cakes.
She had scarcely finished when the
bell rang again.
Why, mamma! Something more?o
exclaimed Ruth.
This time there was a smaller hoy
but inside was a little glass dish fnII
OF Neapol1tan ice cream, pink, brown !
and white. which looked very delici- |
GUS. You are OF have yours first.
Ruthie," tn girls had written. 1--WE are
playing games, and shall eat ours by
and by"
Ruth took long time to enjoy the
cream. MAY I sit up until nine to-
n1ght?' she asked. 'T feel well now"
81 told Hananh you would have to
go at half-past eight, dear. We want
you to keep well. There will be some
Of your good time left for tomorrow.
you know"
''Why did you tell Hannah?" asked
Ruth. Mamma only laughed.
In a little while the bell at mammals
collar tinkled again. And once or twice
more, before half-past eight, it an
nounced the arrival of some little re-
First there was a souve-
mir Japanese napkin with all the girls
names written on it. Next there was
4 set of patchwork" pictures, and
these we're very droll. One had an eIe-
chants head ahd trunk, a ducks body
and boys feet, with skates on them.
Ruth knew how the girls turned the
paper down, each one guessing what
% draw next
Just at half-past eight there was an
1ter box, and on it was pinned in big
etters, Goodnight"
This box contained some cap bon
oons, list of droll conundrums with