The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-05-20


Abigail ran swiftly down the walk.
her aunt,s white shawl wrapped closely
about her little shoulders. she had for
gotten she was a namesake This was
really truly fun. The bolsterous north
wind was tossing her curls She smiled
gratefully ut the nodding DIR trees. who
always told her such pretty stories.
Well, the poor children were delight.
ed with an Invitation to missionary
meeting tea party at the big house.
as they adiniringly called Miss Klm-
balls home. Their names we're Macis.
and there were four In all just what
the party was to be like they didn't
know. But their hostess was so conf.
dent and happy that the uncertainty
was more ailuring, while Miss Name
sake, who had attended only one mis-
sionary meeting tea party. and that the
Aunt Abigail kind. was tremendously
happy,
Mary meyer suspected thing OF 1t.
Imagine her surprise, then. when she
walked into the library later in the
afternoon 10 see IL Miss Abigail was
still namesaking and found three rag
ged little girls. one small boy and
Miss Namesake gathered cozlly around
the great open fireplace
Bless my eyes!p exclaimed Mary.
pausing In the open doorway.
'Ch, come In, Mary graciously call.
ed Abigail. her blue eyes dancing with
merriment at the expression on the
servants face I'm having mission
airy meeting tea party in Aunt Abigail's
place. My missionaries are the Misses
Brewsters, Miss Ruggles and 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 the
just pretend missionaries facea. while
Abigail smiled through tears of true
delight
"Fea served in the dining room.
ma'am| finally questioned May. as
summing an heir Of hauteur that would
have pleased princess.
You may serve 1t in here. please"
replied Miss Namesake. smiling APP
prevail at the maids grandeur. She
was indeed Mary's princess. The setv-
ant LEFT the room.
I'D like to be real missionary,
wouldn't you. Miss Ruggles?" asked
Abigail OF the Oldest Mack girl. who
was oaressing Polly James curIs.
My, yes. Il they're like your
80 would l." Il fgssyE
.s.HAnd SO would l."
Me. too" piped in Billy Mack, alias
Mr.. Prince, ,-tr~
After most delicious lunch. which
Mary served with Aunt AblgaiPs best
est things" the children suddenly for.
got they were '.just prete1ds" aud
became little people They romped
and played. Poor Mary had to cry
when she heard the echo of their hap.
by voices III the lonely house Then it
grew dark, and the children went home.
TT was the beautifulest time ever
hadr' exclaimed Miss NamcsaSe' when
later Mary tucked the tired but
strangely happy little girl IN her great
feather bed. If they both thought of
what Aunt Abigail might say, they ig-
nored the fact and enjoyed b their
hearts content the rehearsal OF the aft
ernoon's odd pleasure. "rd never be
little All Aloney, Mary. If I could have
my kind of missionary meeting tea
parties"
1t was long, long after 10 before
Aunt Abigail reached home. Mary
said not n word concerning tue after
moons festivities. She knew the honor
Of a certain little girls heart.
Aunt Abigailr' called Miss Name
sake in very sweet bedtime voice.
''Yes." answered Miss Kimball, paus.
ing at the threshold of her niccca room.
Il didn't member all the day long
was your namesake and had an awful
respectability."
why. Abigail KimbalI. what have
you been dolng?"
u had missionary meeting tea par
ty," replied the little girl, sitting up.
right In bed. 81 had one my kind. |
had the little AIacks to it."
The MacksI' exclaimed Miss Kim
ball. very much Mortified.
They're poor, Aunt Abigail. and
missionary meeting tea parties are Cor
poor people. I'm awful sorry played
after meeting, though it was lot OF
fFn"- The child's voice sank to
lonely little whisper.
Miss Kimball, drawn by some
strange feeling. walked to her little
niece's bedside. She bent over her
and asked her In a low, falterlng voice:
abigail, why did you do lit"
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. l just had
to be missionary"
81 am sorry, dear"
''oh, Aunt Abigail, let's both be mis-
sionaries"
I've viii. aud win have your kind OF
FaTtiAe - tAoN1fnd A,,vRA f,s.-.tt 80 -.