Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
red to amuse him while the BOYS

Snau We play games? she began. pull.
ing up rocking-chair close to the sofa
oh don't know" answered Carroll in
differently.
Peggy decided that meant yes" so she
went In search Of game 60 play. There
was large closet with shelves in the nur-
sery. The boys were supposed to keep their
games and toys there While Peggy was
hunting for a game that she thought would
De run, she came across large, green book
,Whats this. Carroll?' she asked.
On, that's my new stamp book that / got
Tor my birthday" replied Carroll his face
Frightening Bring 1t here You can helm
me put in some stamps"
inc time passed very pleasantly over Car
roll stamp collection, of which he was
Justly proud and 1t seemed but few min
utes before Billy and Bob were back again.
What do you Think" cried both OF them
at once, as they burst into the room for
getting to close the door. I'VE saw Dave
Rivers down In the villager
Did he have his wig on, or was he bald
headed? asked Peggy at once.
Did he speak to your Carroll asked
more quietly.
No: he didn't see u.s." replied Billy.
He was in the store-sitting around the
stove. added Bob with shining eyes though
how the old man could sit around" a stove
BOD d1d not think to explain.
We went in there after we got your pills,
TO buy some marbles" explained Billy.
Yes" went on Bob excitediy. land Dave
was In there. and he had piece Of paper
He was showing It to two or three other
men who were sitting around there. too.'
said Billy.
Just as I was picking out my marbles I
heard him say. What kin you fellows make
out o that there piece OF writin'2' p" contin-
ued Bob, mimicking Dawes voice, land /
turned around. and 1t was our letter he had
in his handl'
Yes" said Billy, "and they all sat there,
and mumbled and fumbled-"
Couldn't they read it?" asked Carroll,
with interest. He was sitting up in his ex-
ND ha fob haI hIal$ 80
floor unheeded. Peggy, for once said not
word for few minutes. She sat with open
eyes. staring first at Bob and then at Billy.
1t really was most thrilling to have their
letter handed around the village. Billy
sWeled with pride, for 1t was his compo-
sltion Carroll was inclined to envy the
other boys for having been on the spot and
seen it all.
Billy looked puzzled at CarroIl's question.
I don't see why they couldn't" he re-
piled TT was as plain as day, but they
didn't get half of 1t straight. felt like
going up and telling them what 1t said"
Yes, he nearly did. too" chuckled Bob.
Il just grabbed him in time"
IT would never have done IL you had"
said Carroll. in alarm. They would have
known who sent IT.
By this time Peggy had regained her
tongue, and gave vent to a long "O-hr'
which sent the boys of into shout OF
laughter.
did he have his wig on?" was her next
remark.
Yes. but 1t wasn't the same one. This
one was kind OF curly, and was blacker.
guess he has two and changes about
Then We needn't have bothered about his
catching cold" remarked Peggy. contemptu-
ously.
What happened after that?' asked Car
"oh. Dave told 'em all about It, and they
all sat there and bobbed their heads around.
and said. I'll be-i and
And one Of 'em said, That's mighty
n Dau iyta cd
Bob. wishing to give Billy his due. and
knowing that he would not repeat such
things himself
Did he?" said Carroll, beaming with
pleasure. Then what happened?"
1--WE had to come away, them" answered
Billy Our marbles were all wrapped up,
and was afraid they would think it queer
If we hung around any longer
THE drug store man asked what we
had been doing to our faces" said Bob, evil
dently regarding 1t as compliment;
What do you 'spose Dave'n do. Car
roll?' asked Billy.
ooh, I don't know. Nothing, I guess"
answered Carroll, a little YEARLY. Now
that the first interest in the news had worn
off the ache in his throat and back was
beginning to assert itself again. He re-
membered that he was an invalid. He put
his feet up on the sofa again. and drew the
afghan around him. His head really did
feel pretty badly, and he ached all over.
He closed his eyes and wished the others
| would go away. 1t did not seem exactly
\ "
they would think Of It. But they sat
there and chartered noisily without MOTTO
ing how quiet Carroll had become
Presently Mrs. Mason entered the room
to give Carroll his medicine. She sent them
all away and darkened the windows
that Carroll might take nap If he felt
He did not feel like It; he did not feel
like doing anything at all. but 1t was really
very soothing to have his mother sit there
smoothing his hot forehead. and singing
in a soft low voice as she used to do when
he and Bob were little bits Of things. and
were put to bed at six O'clock So after
a while he fell asleep.
When he woke, Mrs. Mason was not there.
Carol felt little better. He wondered IL
1t was not lunch time. and II they would
give him anything to eat: He felt that he
could enjoy cnop ana baked potato
very decidedly.
For long time no one appeared. and the
house was so quiet that 1t seemed as II
every one had deserted him. He could not
imagine where the others were, nor what
they were doing that kept them SO very
quiet Perhaps they had gone down to the
woods. 1t a beautiful day with a
keen, crisp air, and Carroll knew that If he
only felt more like 1t he would be out OF
doors doing something. and he supposed the
other children would feel the same way.
Pretty soon he became tired OF lying
there all alone, with nothing to do. so he
got up and went out into the hall Then
he could hear a confused murmur Of voices,
and by following the sound he found II
proceeded from behind the closed door OF
his own room. Curious to know what was
going on, he turned the handle, and started
to go in. Immediately some one hurled
himself against the door, while several
startled voices cried out:
Don't come inl Don't come mr.
Let me In. What are you doing?' cried
Carroll, trying to push the door open.
mo; no: you mustn't come In"
what are you doing? Why not?'
'Oh-Just something. You'll know after
while. But you can't come in now. Please
don't. Carroll" said Billy persuasive voice
close to the keyhole.
Il don't see why 1 can't come In now.
hat are you doing anyway"
I'VE can't tell you." cried Peggy. But
you'll know after while. It's" Her
voice broke off in a way suggestive Of a
hand closely laid upon her mouth. There
was a sound Of slight struggle, and then
Peggy's voice triumphant, called out "a
surprise!"
"Oh, Peggy. what did you tell for?' asked
Bob, reproachfully.
II didn't" denied Peggy stoutly. II only
said 1t was surprise. 1 didn't say what
kind"
when shall know" asked Carroll, be-
coming interested.