Evening star., 1903-08-01
FOUR LITTLE INDIANS
Or, How Carroll "Got Even"
BY ELLA MARY COATES.
Copyright. 1902. by Henry T. Coates Coz
CHAPTER VIII.

Copyright 1902. by Henry T. Coates 4 Coy
CHAPTER VIII.
Now. children, stop your nonsense. and
tell me where you got this" said Mrs.
Mason gravely, after a pause.
Carroll pulled himself together and got
upon his feet. He knew that his mother
would probably not approve of what they
had done. That was why nothing had
been said to her before the subject.
People are so apt to look at things in such
a different light from that in which small
boys see them. Nevertheless. now that an
investigation was Inevitable. Carroll was
as we'll as he could 1t did not sound as
funny 1t had seemed when 1t happened
Mrs Mason looked very grave. She listen
ed In silence 20 the end.
II am very much ashamed that my boys
should have done an unkind thing like
that" she said. wnen Carroll had finished.
Every mucn ashamed and astonished." she
went on. Dave Rivers is poor old man.
badly
We'll, mother, he was real mean to us.
and called US names when we said we were
we hadn't thrown them," exclaimed Bob.
And 1t didn't frighten him bit. be-
cause he yelled at us like everything" add
ed Peggy. Il know I was scared myself"
Aunt Elizabeth. I'm very sorry I did
anything you disapprove off, spoke up
Billy manfully. IT 'spose I didn't think
Anyway. we weren't going to keep the
wig" said Peggy earnestly. I'VE were
Just going to make him uttlo mad. and.
then take 1t back to him.
But. my DEAR" replied Mrs. Mason with
a slight smile as she drew the active little
into the clear gray eyes. why should you
want to make Dave angry at all?'
why, Aunt Elizabeth. cause he was
nasty to Carroll and Bob"
But don't you know that you should re-
turn good for evil? And even II Dave had
seemed a little rough, that was no reason
why you should behave like lot Of ignor-
ant children VINO do not know any better.
dare say you were only thinking OF your
play. and did not take into consdera ton
what 1t would seem like to other people.
SO l will overlook your going out at that
time OF night when I had told you to stay
up in the nursery. but this wig is different
matter. and must be returned at once. and
Carroll. you must be little more thought
full In the future
'An right mother. I'll try to-" replied
Carroll. cheerfuly. But It's awfully hard
to stop and think when you want to do
something. I'm sorry about Dawes wig.
and III take 1t right back to him.
mo, Carroll; 1 took it, and I'll take 1t
back" interrupted Billy.
Certainly you won't" answered Carroll.
positively. IT'S my place TO. Anyway. he
don't know who you are"
That's all the better; 1t won't get you
into a scrape."
Let's all CO." suggested Peggy. who
rather liked dramatic situations and was
wild to see what old Dave looked like with
out his wig.
Although Mrs. Mason had been seriously
put out at this new proof of the ingenuity
OF her sons In getting into mischief they all
took 1t so sweetly and cheerfuly that she
really had not the heart to inflict any fur
ther punishment upon them than that in
volved in the coming interview with Dave
Rivers She knew that to boy OF Carrol's
sensitive nature 1t would be no easy matter
to own himself in the wrong second time
to man who had repudiated his first at
tempt at peacemaktng. So nothing more
was SAID about the matter as they gathered
tne dlshes together and proceeded back to
the house.
They all agreed that the day in the woods
had been great sport. And even the result
or feggys un!ucky speech did not affect
them much. Their spirits were naturally
so buoyant that X would take a great deal
TO seriously depress them for any length of
time Billy was pretty silent for a little
WINE 1"r; as ne had taken the wig. he
1clt himself the chief wrong -doer and be-
sides. ne was trying to concoct a suitable
speech 10 make to Dave when they went to
restore him his Incorporated property.
Iessy ana BOP forgot all about the matter
IN the interest of putting out the fire ana
trying to make the ground hackees eat tho
remains OF the feast. But Carroll although
ne saw the Justice Of his mothers remarks
ana had 10 acknowledge themselves in the
wrong. still cherished a feeling of resent
ment against Dave. He was perfectly will
ing TO make amends for his conduct in any
way that gentleman could even though
II was hard to do, but he would not - back
to the state Of friendly Intercourse that had
existed between them before their Disagree
ment about the walnuts
apoogized and he wouldn't listen"
sald Carroll to himself. "and l won't speak
to him again."
1t was o'clock by the time thew Got back
TO the house, and already beginn ne to grow
dark. but as Dawes home was only a short
distance away. Mrs. Mason thought they
would better take the wig back at once
Peggy. dear. l do not think 1t is neces-
sary TOT you to go" she said. as Peggy was
preparing .p to start off with the boys
IN; why not?' cried Peggy in surprise
i think the three boys will be Quite
enough TO explain to Dave about his wig.
and do not think it Is very good Man
1or Httle girls 10 be out Of doors after dark
Come into the library with me and we'ii
wait Tor them to come back l do not like
10 disappo'nt you. dear. but you know l
nave to take especially good care of You
because your own mother Is not here TO
look after you herself"
But, Aunt Elizabeth" began Peggy In
grleved tones: then she thought better OF If
and stopped. She went to th window and
looked out. 1t seemed hard that after All
she should not See Dave without his wig
and she was inclined to resent being kent
at home just because she was a Rirl. But
Deing out In the air all day had made her
1eei drowsy. and the open fire In the library
put the finishing touch to her sleep:ne,s
she curled herself up on the window-s
with the cushions comfortably tucked ali
around her, and In few minutes she had
wandered Off to dreamland, although she
firmly believed that she was watching ont
or the window for the boys return from
their mission of peace.
she woke with start an hour later when
the front door banged. Mrs. Mason had left
the room and the boys had Just come back
Peggy ran out into the hall
What did he say?' she demanded at
once. a.
Come on up 10 the nursery and we'll tell
you all about It," answered Carroll. leading
the way, and going up stairs two steps at
time.