The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-10-11
The Lucky Girl

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"Of course l shall be the one. I'm
Oldest" said Edith
mo, shall, because you went away
last, and / didn't" said Ruth.
II need a change for my health,
said Anna, with a drawn-down mouth
that might truly be the sign of pain,
but with rosy cheeks which could
be the sign only Of very healthy
girl.
"Whoever goes" said Mrs. Stone,
twill have not only the visit, but the
new clothes"
Then it will have to be me, be.
cause l haven't thing left over from
last year, and must have new clothes
anyway" said Edith.
81 think 1 might be the one,' said
Anna, for l have new Winter suit
all ready"
(Which fits me as well as you, and
could be borrowed" added Ruth.
children! children!" cried Mrs
stone, in despair what would Aunt
Nell say if she were to hear you
quarrelling SO over her invitation?
She writes, 4 love all three of my
nieces so much that l don't know
which one 1 want to visit me next
SO 1 will leave it for them to decide.
Send along the girl who needs the
change, and l promise her as nice
time as | know how to give"
But, instead of filling them with
contrition, this reading of the letter
made their desire to go all the strong
er.
'Think of the sleigh rides behind
the gray pair, all nestled down in
those soft black furs!" said Anna,
with a sigh, drawing the folds of an
afghan about her, and half closing
her eyes.
II presume you hear the jingling
of the sleigh-bells now" said Ruth.
"a person with such a vivid imagina-
ton as you've got doesn't need to go
away to enjoy things"
well, mother" said Edith, with a
very grown-up air, Il think somebody
ought to go who will do credit to
the family, and, of course, I've been
out more and know how to act in
society better than these children"
'These children" screamed Ruth
and Anna, in a derisive chorus; but
Mrs. Stone held up her finger with
warning gesture, and then, to the
surprise of all, she buried her face
in her hands, and sobbed-Yes, moth
er was crying!
The three girls looked at each other
in dismay. "Mother!" cried Edith,
gently, what have we done?"
81 am so tired of it ALL" burst out
the sobbing woman. at has been
so ever since your father died. Things
no sooner get to running smoothly
than there is a great fuss over who
shall have a new dress, or whose
boots are the shabbiest, or who shall
go on the picnic? When there are
three children there ought to be
money enough to divide by three, not
by one. l can't decide for you any
more. You must choose some way
yourself"
The slow tears ran down her
cheeks. Edith noticed how pale and
Wrinkled it was. There used to be
color there when the father was alive.
And what shabby dress Mother,
I've decided who shall go. and it's
not myself. Will you all consent?
And, mother dear, will you let me do
all the contriving about clothes and
packing, so that you needn't have Il
thing to decide about it till the day
comes to go?"
Mrs. Stone wiped away the tears.
81 am very much ashamed" she said
"Of course I'll help get anyone OF
you ready. 1t was the disputing that
troubled me-"
"Just this once, let me, mother"
said Edith. 1T will do me goal,
truly"
So Mrs Stone consented, and the
two younger girls were borne away
to Edith's room. (Which of us is it?"
asked Ruth.
Neither" said Edith.
"Why, Edith Stone" said Anna;
'you selfish old thing, to choose your
self"
81 didn't" said Edith. "It's-it's-~
mother!"
Mother" echoed Ruth.
''Why, she wasn't even asked said
Anna.
mo, but Aunt Nell would rather
have her than all three of us put to-
gether, if she had any idea she'd
come" Girls" and Edith's voice
trembled, "the money has been di-
vided into three parts when it ought
~ nno~ VanfhOr
have new dress? Does she ever go
to picnic or trolley riding? Do we
choose her to have the extra orange