The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-11-02

realize now glrllSn SnG was at neart,
despite her fifty years and the gray
hairs that clustered round her fore
head.
Married at seventeen, Mrs. Hoyt
had been a mother before she was
twenty and a 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.
This morning young. Mrs. Hoyt had
been summoned to a neighbor's bed
side, and had left Eleanor with strict
injunetions to be very good to grand
ma and very quiet. 1t was compare
tiysEaeasy 40 obey the first order, but
bow MAS such a bright-eyed tomboy
gas fourteen-year-old Eleanor to carry
out the second?
QMet3 Quiet, when the ice on the
pond was Ike glass. and this was prob
&Sbly the last, skating of the season?
"9f course 1t was lovely to have grand
ma visit them, but how pleasant it
awouid have been had she waited until
spring.
Elean0r flushed at the inhoSpitality
of this thought, and was glad to be
DISTRACTED by a knock at the door. In
came Clara Roe, with glowing cheeks
and sparkling eyes.
% Eleanor, put on your things right
away she cried. The skating is the
best we have had. Every one else is
there"
II know" said Eleanor, her lip
. trembling little, "but-but mother
has gone away, and have to stay with
grandma"
"Oh." Clara's bright face clouded at
the thoughts of her friends disappoint-
ment, then cleared as she said, But
why not take your grandmother. too"
Take grandma echoed Eleanor. as
IL Clara had proposed to take the
house and barn.
[
five manner. Il believe she'd like it.
She looks as il she could have as much
fun rs any of us, if she only lad
xchance."
Eleanor made no reply, and after 4
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. Airs. Hoyt looked up with a
welcoming smile; she and Clara had
been friends since their first meeting.
q: "Mrs. Hoyt," said Clara, putting a
persuasive arm about grandma's
neck, don't you want to go skating
with us:"
Down went the knitting, up went
Mrs. Hoyt's eyebrows. Skating! A
grandmother skate!
-"The. ice is like glass" Clara contin-
ued, eagerly, laid it may not last an.
other day, We have an extra pair Of
skates, AID I'll run home for them
while you anu Eleanor get ready.
You'll come, won't you?"
=. The fresh. young voice had carried
grandma back to the happy days
when she had fitted over the ice,
,avowediy the best skater in the little
town. But that was long ago; she
would not know how to stand OIL the
ice, now. much less skim over it. She
stified the longing to try her skill
once more. and shook her head.
You arevery kind to invite me-" SHE
said. ..and l appreciate it very much
indeed, but 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
4 that long skirt" she said, thoushtfully
Il have one that's just the right
length for her." Eleanor interrupted,
eagerly. You. seq, I'm quite as tall as
grandma"
.'My scarlet Gweater would be just
the thir ( for her." added Clara, ''and
Ill bring t with the skates"
Grandma flushed again. She had
worn a red jacket the night that John
he long ago it seemed!
.fhen III so for the skc ties and
sweater" said Clara. decisively, "while
you get your own things ready She
was out of the door before Mrs. Hoy,
could utter a wod Of protest. Then
the humor Of tn situation struck
grandma, and throwing back her
head, she laughedstill she cried. A
grandmother go skating!
But when Eleanor came dancing IL
with navy blue skirt. confident that
: ths matter was quite settled, Mrs
Hoyt hesitated moment. She glanced
at her trim. almost girlish, figure, al
! her pretty little foot and ankle. and
yielded. 1t was ridiculous thing to do