The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1905-11-09

T~S mood. 1t seemed to he
that she had always beer
R~El considered old. Sh,
lElli wished that people couIt
realize how girlish she was at heart
despite her fifty years and the gra,
hairs that clustered round her fore
head.
Married At seventeen, Mrs. Hoyt
mad been mother before she was
twenty and grandmother before she
WAS forty. Now she was visiting her
son, and was secretly annoyed at the
respectful consideration showed her
by all the family.
Her daughter-in-law treated her as If
she were seventy; the children were
never allowed TO play with her long,
lest she weary of their lively antics.
Ihis morning young Mrs. Hoyt had
been summoned to neighbours bed
side, and had left Eleanor with strict
mjunctions TO be very good to grand
VA and very quiet. 1t was compara-
lively easy to obey the first order, but
how was such a bright-eyed tomboy
as fourteen-year-old Eleanor to carry
cut the second?
Quiet2 Quiet, when the Ice on the
pond was like glass. and this was prob
'ebly the last skating of the season
or course 1t was lovely to have grand
ma visit them. but how pleasant it
would have been had she waited until
spring!
Eleanor flushed at the inhospltality
OF this thought, and was glad to be
. distracted by knock at the door. In
came Clara Roe. with glowing cheeks
and sparkling eyes.
20 Eleanor, put on your things right
awayw she cried. "The skating is the
best we have had. every one else is
there"
II know" said Lteanor, her lin
trembling little, "but-but mother
has gone away. and l have to stay with
grandma"
on" Clara's bright face clouded a
the thoughts of her friends dsappoint-
ment, then cleared as she said. "But
why not take your grandmother, too?"
Take grandmaw echoed Eleanor. as
ar Clara had proposed to take the
house and barn.
Certainly" said Clara. In her posi-
tive manner. 81 believe she'd like il,
She looks as IL she could have as much
fun as any of us, If she only had a
chance"
Eleanor made no reply, and after a
moments hesitation Clara said "Any-
way. I'm going to ask her."
She marched straight into the sit
ting-room where grandma sat with her
knitting, looking out at the bright sun.
shine. Mrs. Hoyt looked up with a
welcoming smile; she and Clara had
been friends since their first meeting
"Mrs. Hoyt," said Clara, putting n
persuasive arm about grandma's
neck, don't you want to go skating
with us?"
Down went the knitting. mp wen;
Mrs. Hoyts eyebrows. Skating! A
grandmother skate!
THE Ice is like glass" Clara contin
ned. eagerly, "a. d it may not last an
other day, We have an extra pair of
skates, aid I'll run home Tor them
while you and Eleanor get ready
you'll come, won't your
The fresh young voice had carried
grandma back TO the happy DAVIS
when she had fitted over the ice
avowedly the best skater in the llttle
town. But that was long ago: she
would not know how to stand ON tho
Ice now, much less skim over it. She
stitied the longing TO try her skill
once more, and shook her head
You are very kind to invite ne" sbo
said, land l appreciate 6 very mucb
indeed, but l fear that my skating
days are over"
Clara was not girl to be easily
thwarted; besides, she had seen the
first look of yielding in grandma,s
eyes.
"Of course you could not skate IN
that long skirt" she said, thoughtfuIly
Il have one that's just the right
length for her." Eleanor interrupted
eagerly. you see. I'm quite as tail as
grandma"
my scarlet cweater would be inst
the thing for her." added Clara, "and
I'll bring t with the skates"
Grandma flushed again. She had
worn a red jacket the night that John
now long ago 1t seemed!