Evening journal., 1906-12-26


TO the blue water sparkling in the sun
Everybody knew at once what Luther's
suggestion would be- You aren't think
ing Of having a party for ms on the fishing
boat, are you. Griselda?" he asked.
Luther was more bashful than Carl
Usually he was too bashful to say a word,
but he had wanted TO go out on the fishing
boat for a long time. His parents weren't
willing that he should go without an older
person, but If Cousin Tom went and took
a party, why, Of course, it would be all
right
Griselda looked at him even more regret
fully that she had at the others. "Oh.
Luther. I'm so sorry" she said. but
can't give the fishing party"
Then Griselda looked straight al Cousin
Tom. II it isn't asking too much OF you.
Cousin Tom" she sad. II would so like
to have the money that YOU meant TO spend
for the treat just to do what I please
with"
Cousin Tom looked liitle bit puzzled.
"Am to be let IN on the secret7" ne
asked.
NO, SIR" said Griselda. I'm not eoing
Ito tell any one about it, n you don't mind.
I'd rather just have the money for my
own"
rs It a surprise. Griselda2" cried Carr.
Griselda turned to them Qiiite seriously.
mo, no." she said anxiously. please
don't keep on expecting any party. because
there tsn't going to be any I'm awfuily
sorry 70 disappoint everybody, but want
the money for a special purpose, and we
al have so many rarties and so much
pleasure / know you won't mind II I don't
have anything for treat"
The children looked perfectly astonished.
Always before Griselda had been the soul
lof generosity. They could not understand
the change. Cousin Tom also looked
grave. well. let me see" he said. "Tu
have to do a bit Of reckoning. II we had
decided on the coach, it would have been
SIS, with luncheon besides-say Ss5. II we
had taken the fishing trip. 81 would have
cost about SIS for passage and luncheon
and bait. The olambaks would have cost
about ten dollars. and the circus the same.
Striking an average. that's about So" He
drew two ten dollar bills from his pocket
and handed them to GTiselda- wishing
her many happy returns OF the day.
Griselda thanked him effusively. Then
she slowed the money away carefully IN
her little purse and ran away without
another word, except TO call back that she
would be on the beach at the usual bath
hour
Cousin Tom strolled away looking very
thoughtful and the children were left TO
talk it over.
Perhaps she means 70 surprise US YET"
said Luther hopefully.
NO she doesn't" Rose shook her head
decidedly. "She said no surprise and Grts-
elda never tells what isn't true even IN
a Joke"
cided that Griselda must be ostracized.
Determined to carry out this plan. they
went to the beach; nor did they relent TO
lany of Griselda's overtures. Nevertheless
they We're not at all blind TO her disap-
lpearance up the beach when she fouQd
that she was not to be allowed to JON
their party.
1T seems mean 10 act so on her birth
day" said Rose unable 10 bear a veri-
uncomfortable feeling in the region OF her
breastbone any longer.
Carl looked obdurate. but Luther warm
lily echoed what Rose said Johnny and
Maggie were willing to do what the rest
did.
Lets go and find her and tell her we
don't mind even II she does save the
money" suggested Luther. Carl hung
back for a moment, but even he finally
A consented. and the little hand OF children
: ran hastily along the beach in the direc-
: ton that Griselda had taken. Way up at
the end they caught a glimpse Of her
o scarlet bathing SUIT. There was only one
4 other figure there. The children wondered
z IL Griselda had found new friend, and
( their curiosity made them run faster.
Quickly they came up 10 the group II
e bath houses IN front OF which Griselda
and the other girl-sfor II was girl or
70 about her own age-were bathing. They
! hid back Of the bath house for moment
u and watched the. two girls. The other one
was a stranger to them, although Griselda
knew her very we'll
why / do believe cried Rose sud
denly. that 1t is the Curran girl. 1 never
saw her in bathing before"
/, The other children also on closer inspec-
i tion recognized the Curran girl, whose
h mother kept the little shop down near the
a station where they sometimes went for
= candy on the way from the station II
d was a long way from the beach. and
e somehow they had always associated the
q girl with the station rather than the
4 beach. II was such a very little candy
( shop that they never gave it their trado
f. except when hard pressed for particular
~ llicorice delicacy which comparatively few
beach shops kept, and which. being always
lie IN demand, frequently ran out at the more
h popular confectioners
e But for once the Curran girl was free
n from her multiple tasks of mindlng the
e shop and the baby. sweeping the front
pavement and making herself generally
e useful
is She was splashing about IN the water
y and having a good time, although she
i seemed strangely awkward. While they
ei were watching her the good natured
woman in charge OF the bath houses came
s by.
d "Aint she havln a good timew she said.
e her glance following theirs. Just think,
e she never had a swim before and she's
= been two years at the beach. The girl with
e her hired her the suit and the bath house.
IS She's to have it for the season"
u The children gasped. There" said Rose
It triumphantiy, s'that's what she's done with
2 her birthday money"
!. with a wild whoop they ran out on the
: sands "Criselda," they cried, wish you
= many happy returns
The C'urran girl looked perfectly be-
!, wildered and Griselda herself was over
II whelnned with delight.
,s why didn't you tell us you we're going
- IN Give your money 10 the Curran girl3'
IN demanded Rose. drawing her aside.
"Oh. I couldn't tell" explained Grlselda.
~ "but rm glad you've found It out. because
ID couldn't bear you should think me
ie mean. And just to think, she never's been
lin TO battle because she hadn't any bath
~ house or any money, and there are six
IA chiiiren. ana the fathers sick. and she
r. works SO hardi I'm going down there 80
ltako care of the baby so that she can
" come down and go IN % batne every other
ie dsv. and the other caiidren viii come too.
'h herauso they can an use the suit ana tho
y. nsth house. They Won't mind ~ 3 Is too
= large
,e -yoa'ra Just dear. Griseles.' said
a. Luther. and Well help too"
y * tanueht you wouldn't mind said
IA Grise'da. ''bocause We have 50 much more
r. than they DO.