Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-22

popped into her mind Yes. she would go
to Cuba and nothing should keep her home.
and what's more, she'd go In that hamper,
for hadn't mother said there was going
to be nothing in it but shawls. and IT was
to be put in their state room. Now, Nellie
hadn't the -faintest idea Of how long It took
to get to Cuba, but she knew shed have
to take something to eat so with greatest
secrecy she managed to smuggle two pieces
OF bread and butter, three cookies and
banana from the lunch table. These were
carefully hidden, and then she kept close
watch on the hamper. Fortune certainly
smiled upon, her. Mamma put three little
pillows some steamer rugs and small
basket of fruit in it. and when this was
packed everything was declared ready for
an early start the next morning.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Price stood with
their things on the next day in the hall.
Nellie was nowhere to be found
II hate to go without kissing her good
bye" said mother, but I'm afraid she's
of by herself somewhere. crying because
she can't go, too. 1 wish We had time to
find her. Mary, be very careful with th-t
hamper. couldn't get the cover on. and
/ don't want those bananas bruised"
IT'S awful heavy, a'am." said Mary.
''r1l get Jane to help me lift it, and in
three minutes the basket and its owners
were on the way to the steamer.
Yes, Nellie was in that basket. and no
one as much as suspected it, She was so
small that 1t wasn't even uncomfortable,
and plenty Of air came In through the
openings. Her precious store. of eatables
were cIasped firmly in one hand, and small
and ragged Belinda Ann, her beloved
daughter, in the other. This was for COM
pany.
The basket was put in the Prices state
room, and. gracious. wasn't 1t hot! Nellie
felt sure she was roasting to death. 1t was
also very dark
Il guess 1 can't stand it all the way to
Cuba" said Nellie to Belinda Ann. but l
must wait until the boat gets started any
way When everything is quiet l shall
poke my head Up. and see how 1t LOOKS;
Accordingly at intervals she "poked' her
head up Through the weight of rugs and
on the whole spent a very pleasant morn
ing She ate all her stock of provisions
except the banana, ana covering nerseE up
again went sound asleep. When she woke
the boat was pitching and tossing In the
most dreadful manner and Nellie felt very
queer.
'if this boat would only stop half min
uate Oh. why didn't I stay with Aunt
Gertrude" she moaned. III only dared
to call some one.
ting quietly in her state room reading. Sud-
denly the rugs on top of the clothes ham
per seemed to move and the wicker squeak
in a very peculiar way. Very much sur,
watched intently. Yes, surely there was
something there.
: whatever is in that basket?' she said
aloud. Mice, probably, after my bananas"
loved voice and gave a fierce kick. Mrs.
Price got up, hastily pulled of the rugs
and pillows. and there in the hamper lay
her own small daughter. firmly clasping
one banana and worn-out doll. Mrs.
Price was SO surprised she nearly screamed.
What are you doing here?" she gasped.
Poor Nellie felt so sick she did not care
whether she was discovered or not. or if
she were bound for Cuba or Aunt Ger
trude's. 1t was all one to her; to be out Of
that roasting basket was joy enough.
Well, Mr.. Price was called. and poor sea-
sick Nellie was the subject OF q discussion,
which, however, was soon decided. There
was nothing to do but take her to Cuba.
and to Cuba she went.
Her visit there was more than lovely. but
Nellie Price never forgot the talk with her
mother on the way down.