Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06

Ross was brought along from New York to
be governess to the young SCOTS.
When Mllvale heard this it was indig
nant If the public school were good enough
for their children wasn't 1t good enough for
the Scots? Their children were no better
than anyone else's! After a while the in
dignation lessened, especially the Scott
children We're allowed to play with the chill
dren of the neighborhood and turned out
to be as natural, normal full-of-fun young
sters as Millvale could ask for.
Helen Scott. the youngest child one day
confided to JEANNE Meredith, warning her
not 10 tell anybody, that her birthday was
coming soon, and her mother had promised
her real. grown-up party. There was to
be bouillon. sandwiches, ice cream, cakes
chocolate, candy and favors and prizes for
everyone. JEANNE was breathless with in
terest The birthday parties of the Mill
vale young people had always been known
as tea parties" When JEANNE learned that
she was to be invited. and twenty other
boys and girls, she greatly excited. 1t
is sad to relate that JEANNE forgot her
promise not TO tell. and before nightfall
the twenty other fortunate children were
let into the secret, first having been made
to cross and double cross their hearts not
to tell
Imagine the feelings of these boys and
girls one morning when yellow placard
was nailed the SCOTS front door and
vivid black letters spelled out the word
''diphtheria." DIR. Lyman later reported
that the whole three children had the dis
ease. Where they got 1t was mystery.
There was not one case in the town, and
the Millvaleites, remembering Mrs. Scott's
objections to the public school. could not be
blamed for slightly smiling This only
for moment though, for every mothers
heart aChed for Mrs. Scott. There was so
much talk about germs and microbes that
the littlest boys ran in at dusk. afraid
that some of these old microbes might catch
them
Dr. Lyman said the Scott family would
he mi iS Of ba
rest OF the people-for four TO six weeks
This meant no birthday party for Helen
and heavy indeed were the hearts of the
children who had been told that they would
receive invitations.
This was the state of things outside of
the Scott house. Inside 1t was worse still.
trained nurse and Mrs. Scott were sta
toned Ou-the third floor, and the days and
nights that followed were anxious ones for
both. The eases turned out to be light,
fortunately. In two weeks time the chill
dren We're out of bed. Their faces were
pale, their voices trembling, and their legs
decidedly bow legged"
What day is this?" asked Robert one
morning. when the nurse came to bring
him his first glass of milk.
Friday she answered.
81 mean what date is it?" asked Robert
"The eighth" replied the nurse.
why. IL is sister Helens birthday, and
Helen?" he walked to the little sister in
an adjoining cot. This is your birthday
Helen sat up delightedly. then sinking
back said: "A birthday isn't better than
any other day when you have got the
diphtheria and are IN the house, and can't
have any presents. or'candy, or a birthday
cake. or anything"
Dorothy was older than Helen and much
wiser. She always looked on the bright
Side of things, If there was any bright side.
III there wasn't she pretended there was.
She said cheerily: why. Helen Scott, you
should be ashamed of yourselfi You ought
to be glad you are living and not dead as
you might have been. Besides l know
mother will fix some kind of a make-be-
lieve party here by ourselves when we tell
her that 1t is your birthday"
This promise made Helen more contented,