Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22
Playing Lady Bountiful.
BY ANNA BROWN.

BY ANNA BROWN.
Gertrude threw down her book with a
sigh. 81 wish / could ever play the Lady
Bountiful or else be an angelic and gem
erous invalid like Carol Bird.
Jim laughed. You'll have to take an
anti-fat treatment if you want to be a
really interesting invalid. he said, tossing
her a rosy apple. But what is to hinder
you from being the Lady Bountifui?"
1.-The Greens,' shifted Gertrude. They're
so high and mighty, sensitive and proud
and--well, you know-and they are actually
the only poor family in this benighted VIII
lage."
Jim whistled. Maybe Arabella Green
would lay aside her Sunday 60 to- meeting
stuck-up air just to please You If YOU
should ask her very nicely"
NO; but really, JIM it would be such
fun to take a lot of lovely Christmas gifts
in big basket and distribute them gra-
ciously among the poor and have them
bowling and smiling and courtesying all
around you and saying GOO bless you,
miss. and may your highness always be
happy and all that sort of thing
Charming, charming" sighed Jim. Me
thinks can thee now. Would you ah
-ah, wear your bicycle skirt and your
toboggan cap and sweater? You look just
too benevolent and graceful for anything
in that rig"
"Of course mott. indignantly I'D wear
a long fur-lined cape
THE coachman has one. I'll run out and
borrow it, said Jim enthusiastically ut
will come about to the tops of your Shoes
re just as mean as you can be- Jim
Selway.' Gertrude rose and was going off
in huff, but Jim most humbly begged her
pardon and she consented to remain.
Honestly" Jim said seriously. when
peace had been restored. I'D like to do
Greens, and shouldn't wonder if we could
Don't you suppose if We fixed up prime
basket full of stuff that We could go and
| tell Arabella it was sort of game, you
1rrnx. and har int tha ,tyt pf
so they'd take the things without being
offended?"
Gertrudes eyes shone. II just believe
we could. JIM" she said. 1--WE have our
of mine. Well get cook to order a fine
turkey for us. with the fixings and ALL and
we can look over our toys, and mittens
are cheap
Two days later. the day before Christmas
quite early in the morning, Jim and Ger
trude sailed forth. Jim carried a huge
basket on a little express wagon. They in
tended to hide the express wagon when
they were quite near the house. so that
Jim could carry the basket, after the man
ner Of disnifed English esquire:
lined cape and her best hat. which was a
large black one with plumes. She looked
very elegant indeed, but Jim, you should
have seen Jim! He wore high silk hat of
his grandfathers, and a brilliant scarlet
coat, that had been in the family for years
and years. for one of their ancestors had
been in the British army. He wore also
knickerbockers and riding boots, and his
hair was powdered white.
The Greens rented a little house on Mr..
Selway's beautiful country estate, so the
children had only to go cross lots to reach
the recipients Of their bounty. All the Sell
way servants assembled to see them off.
Mr.. and Mrs. Selway were also watching
from the library window.
81 hope Mrs. Green won't be home" said
Gertrude. who was beginning to have her
doubts as to how the gifts would be re-
ceived.
''She won't" said Jim. II saw her 20
down the road with the Jenkins laundry
not ten minutes ago."
Gertrude looked quite relieved. AS they
neared the little house they saw Arabella,
the oldest, out getting an armful of wood.
"Ho," shouted Jim, "Arabella, come here
a minute. We want to speak to you"
Arabella came running toward them. She
was a thin, active girl with swapping eyes.
"See here, Arabella,' said Gertrude conf
dentially, Jim and l are playing a new
game"
MY, amt he a sight, cried ArabeHa
pointing her finger at Jim and bursting
into peals of laughter. But you look real
pretty for you she said, turning to Ger
trude.
Jim snickered and Gertrude flushed
"Well, we want you all to help us play
this game" she went on hurriedly Were
playing that this is England. and wei am
lady of title and this is my esquire. and
we want you and the other children to be
the-Engiish cottagers." Arabella's eyes
flashed ominOusly Its just fun, you
know, and we are bringing you Christmas
greens-I mean, that is she went on name
was Green, ''bounties, you know, and we
are going to dispense them in your cottage,
and you must be the mother and get the