The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-19

I; anything. My ST shall know how good
you are-oh, you picked it yourself, you
pore little thing" she added, as she saw
| the bliStered thumb and finger, and kissed
them over and over again.
| Ann smiled through her tears as she re-
piled simply: THAT amt anything; 1 was
so glad to do something for the soldiers.
Mamma told me lots of nice things about
papa as we worked by the fireplace. 1t
was a better light than if we had
| Candles" she asserted :.EIraly.
well, you go right out to Mandy now
and get glass of milk and some cookies
Mandy" she called.
Yes, ma," came in muffled tones; then
! the oven door banged and the smell of
| baking bread came stealing in as Mandy
stuck her curly pate in at the kitchen door,
did you call me, Ma? Who's that?
Oh, it's Ann Storm. Come out here with
me, midget" and in few minutes light
laughter came stealing in. 1t is one of the
merciful provisions of life that the young
do not suffer long.
Mrs. Klegg lowered over the table an
instant answered knock at the door, and
took in bag of dried peaches. Grand
ma Stone sent EN- over by me- said a
male voice. ''She picked em, skun 'em
and dried 'em in the south window of her
room while she was sufferin' with that
bone felon last Summer" the male voice
asserted. They're fer ST." and the voice
retreated.
I'm afraid" said Mrs. Klegg gently,
as she set the snow-white bag of precious
peaches on the table, I'm greatly afraid
that if 81 lives through the troubles with
his wound he'll die of Indigestion
This sent Mrs. Winterbottom off into
a fit of laughing. in which Mrs KIegg in
voluntarily Joined and the tenseness about
her heart lOOsened. Mis- Winterbottom,
you stay here and take the things as they
come. 1 must 90 see what them girls are
doing" and off she hustled to the best
bedroom. Just as she reached it Annahel
came in with an armful of snowy petit
coats, and Maria arrived with the carpet
bags which she had been securing the
neighborhoOd to find. People Travelled but
little in those days, and one carpet-sack
was enough for a whole neighborhood
well, for the lands sake.' she ejacu-
lated, as she saw the bed full of clothes
"Annabel Klegg! What on earth are you
going to do with all those white skirts;
and you've got my blue chambray in there
blue chambray in March-ughr'
And if here isn't mas best black silk.
and-oh, Annabel. You surely amt going
to take that white book muslinr' And
Maria held the stiff. full-skirted dress with
its Garibaldi waist, up against her slim
form.
Now, wouldn't you cut figure down
there in a hospital like pa has told us
about, in this house dress? This amt no
picnic" declared Maria. as she began to
enerSetically sort out the things most
needed
Stockings, handkerchiefs and under
clothes. We've got to have those; but all
this finery-One, two, four. six-welI. An
mabel klegg. if here amt six starched |
white petticoatsn'
That's only two a piece" cried Anna
bel, as Maria threw them at her. what
will we do without them?" she walled.
Il don't know very much about it, re-
Piled Maria, as she sorted out the smaller
but l feel pretty sure that a
camp or hospital amt no place for white
skirts nor nothing else much that takes
washing, starching and ironing. We will
wear our new balmOral skirts.
Annabel fairly gasped, Dark skirts to
go away from home? I'd just as soon
think OF wearing dark stockings"
well. that's exactly what your going
to wear" declared Maria. 81 sent Serena
Smith over to the store to get us six pairs
Of the darkest balmOral stockings she
could find, and here they are." pulling
them from the pocket of her apron, two
pairs for each of u.s.
Annabel sat down on the floor and be-
gan to cry. 81 never wore a dark stock
ng, to say nothing of a store stocking, in
NY life, and I-I-th-think-its -justl
l-w-f-u-l," she walled.
''There's awfuller things than that, An
iabel," declared Maria, as she swept ND
he. dainty handmade undergarments and
lung them in the closet. Having to :
wear 'em soiled-looking would be worse. I
Come, now; quit that crying and get out
las black bombazine. 1t needs a hook
md eye right at the BOTTOM. u
will l wear my new brown calico to
ravel in?" asked Mrs. Klegg. who al i
eady began to lean on her strong young
laughter. :