Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-10-23
The Lucky Girl
Observation-Disclosures

cdlu Anna, WIN a QraWn-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,
will have not only the visit, but the
new clothes"
Then it will have to be me, be.
cause haven't a thing left over from
last year. and must have new clothes
anyway" said Edith.
II think might be the one" said
Anna, for i have a 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, i love all three of my
nieces so much that don't know
which one / want to visit me next
SO ! will leave it for them to decide.
Send along the girl who needs the
change, and l promise her as nice a
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
err.
Think of the sleigh rides behind
the gray pair, all nestled down in
those soft black furs!" said Anna,
with 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 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 derisive chorus; but
Mrs. Stone held up her finger with a
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?"
II am SO tired of it all" burst out
the sobbing woman. 1T has been
80 ever since your father died. Things
no sooner get to running smoothly
than there is great fuss over who
shall have 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. can't decide for you any
more. You must choose some way
yourself"
The slow tears ran down he,
cheeks. Edith noticed how pale and
wrinkled it was. There used to be
color there when the father was alive
And what a shabby dress! Mother
I've decided who shall go, and It's
not myself. VIII you all consent
And, mother dear, will you let me do
all the contriving about clothes and
packing, so that you needn't have a
thing to decide about 1t till the day
comes to go?"
Mrs. Stone wiped away the tears
IT am very much ashamed" she said
"Of course I'll help get anyone oil
you ready. 1t was the disputing that
troubled me-"
".Just this once, let me, mother
said Edith. "It will do me good
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" sail Edith.
"Why, Edith Stone" said Anna;
"you selfish old thing, to choose your.
SELF"
a didn't" said Edith. "1t's-it's-
mother!"
"Mother!" echoed Ruth.
"Why, she wasn't even asked" said
Anna.
No, but Aunt Nell would rather
have her than all three Of us put to-
gether, If she had any idea shed
come" Girls" and Ediths voice
erembled, "the money has been di
: Hded into three parts when it ought
to have been four. Does mother ever
have new dress? Does she ever &c
to a picnic or trolley riding? Do we
choose her to have the extra orange
or the ChristmSs present that's moi
marked for anybody? No, sir! We're
selfish old pigs, that's what we are
eS"But will she go?" said Anna.
She'll have to-" said Edith. Ruth
you run straight down to Marcy's