The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-12
MISS NAMESAKE."

mile beyond the small suburban village
oh they'd be glad 10 come; I'll just run
and tell 'em and get back real soon"
Abigail ran swiftly down the walk her
aunts white shawl wrapped closely about
her little shoulders She had forgotten
she was a namesake. This was really
truly fun. The boisterous north wind
was tossing her curls She smiled CRATE
fully at the nodding FIR trees, who always
told her such pretty stories.
Well the poor children were delighted
with an invitation to a missionary meet
ing tea party at the big house." as they
admiringly called Miss KimbalTs home.
Their names were Macks. and they were
four in all. Just what the party was 20
be like they didn't know: but their hos
tess was so confident and happy that the
uncertainty was more alluring. while Miss
Namesake, who had attended only one
missionary meeting tea party, and that
the Aunt Abigail kind, was tremendously
happy.
Mary never suspected a thing OF II.
Imagine her surprise. then. when she
walked into the library later in the after
noon TO see If Miss Abigail was still
namesaking. and found three ragged lit
tie girls. one small boy. and Miss Name
sake. gathered Cozily around the great
open fireplace.
Bless my eyesr' exclaimed Mary,
pausIng in the open doorway.
''Oh, come in. Mary graciously called
Abigail, her blue eyes dancing with mer-
riment at the expression on the servants
face. I'm having a missionary meeting
tea party IN Aunt Abgairs place. Ny
missionaries are the Misses Brewsters.
Miss Ruggles, aBd-Mr. Randolph Prince.
Just play, you know, Mary" The little
hostess had named each of her odd guests
after friends of her aunt.
The children grinned. The dancing
flames intensified the happiness on tn,
just-pretend missionaries faces. while
Abigail smiled through tears Of true de
light
Tea seTyedin the dining-rOom. ma'am7"
finally questioned Mary. assuming an
heir Of hauteur that would have pleased
a princess.
You may serve it in here. please" re-
piled Miss Nsmesske, smiling approval
at the maids grandeur. She was. indeed
Marys princess. The servant left the
room.
I'd Ike to be a real missionary.
wouldn't YOU. Miss Rugsles?- asked
Abigail, Of the oldest Mack girl who was
caressing Polly James Curls.
My. yes; If they're like you
so would l.
Me. too" piped in Billy Mack. alias
Mr.. Prince.
After most delicious lunch, which
Mary served with Aunt AbigaiTs best
est things" the children suddenly forge,
they we're Just pretends," and became
little people. They romped and PLAYED
Poor Mary had to cry when she heard the
echo of their happy voices in the lonely
house Then it grew dark, and the chill
dren went home.
1T was the beautifulest time ever
| had exclaimed Miss Namesake. when
| later Mary tucked the tired but strangely
happy little girl in her great feather bed
If they both thought of what Aunt Abb
gail might say, they ignored the fact. and
enjoyed TO their hearts content the re-
hearsal Of the afternoons odd pleasure
I'D never be little All AIoney. Mary. if
l could have my kind Of missionary meet
ing tea parties"
It was long. long after 10 before Aunt
Abigail reached home. Mary said not n
word concerning the afternoons festivi-
ties. She knew the honor OF a certain lit
tie girls heart
Aunt Abigailr' called Miss Namesake
in very sweet bedtime voice.
Yes, answered Miss KimbaT. pausing
at the Threshold of her nseces room.
I didn't member all the day long I was
your namesake, and had an awful respect
ability"
Why Abigail KimbaH! What have you
/ been doing?"
| Il had a missionary meeting tea party. -
replied the little girl. sitting upright in
bed. Il had one my kind l had the little
| Macks to it"
| ''The Macks"' exclaimed Miss Kim
/ ball, very much Mortified
They're poor Aunt Abigaii-and mis-
sionary meeting tea parties are for poor
! people. I'm awful sorry I played after
meeting, though it was lot of fun e.
| The child's voice sank 10 a lonely little
whisper
/ Miss Kimball drawn by some strange
/ feeling. walked 10 her little niece's he'd
side. She bent over her and asked her
I in a low, faltering voice:
Abigail. why did you do it?'
/ Miss Namesake paused. Her eyes
opened wider and wider. and in their
starry depths were all the stories of little
All Aloney in Lonesome Land. Cause
was just lonely; I just had to be a
missionary"
/ II am sorry. dear"
/ oh Aunt Abigail. lets both be mis-
/ sionaries.
I'VE viii. and will have your kind of
parties" replied Aadt Abigail: and she
gave the wee grille a Ong-drawn-out bed
time kiss