Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-08

AS she put down her pen ana rose
the door was opened very widely, and
two small persons entered hand-in.
hand.
Katherine had never seen two pref
tier little mortals, or two so daintily
attired.
They flung themselves on Mrs.
Brenton, and Rugged her with enthusi-
asm.
Good morning. Auntie Brenny,"
said Betty the eldest, and she settled
her ruff1ed plumage as she spoke.
How is you this morning, darling?
Aren't you very pleased to see US?
We coined because we have brought
you this letter from mother and be.
cause we promised to come" She ad,
vanced to Miss Granger, and took
her little sister with her. Good
morning" she said "how d-ye-do
Say Good morning. baby
Baby put out tiny hand in a white
wooden glove with fingers that were
much too large.
"Dormez bien!" she said, with an
angelic smile and doubtful accent.
She cuddled up to Katherine to be
kissed, and then, detaching herself
from her sister, went and seated her
| self at the table, while Betty admin
istered correction.
"'Dormez bien' is not good morn
ing baby; it's good night, I" she
| said; then she looked at Katherine
and shrugged her shoulders. Baby
does say such extra-ninary things"
she observed.
81 want somefing to eat" said Baby,
in very determined voice.
Dennis. the maid who was in charge
of the children, and was speaking to
Mrs Brenton, advanced quickly.
ooh, no, Miss Baby, dear, you can't
want anything to eat, | am sure!
Please, ma'am," appealing to Mrs.
Brenton, don't give her anything"
But Miss Baby had her own views
on this subject
"I want some 'oney and some am, "
she said, tearing off her pretty grey
fur cap and removing her gloves.
NASTY Dennis, go away! I'm awful
'ungry!"
Betty was making great friends
with Miss Granger.
81 like you,'' she said candidly:
''why have I never met you before
What is your name?" Then she whis-
pered, "1'm going to have birthday
in March; but don't tell Baby she'll
want it too, and she does fuss so when
she wants things. How old are your
Katherine knelt down the better to
study the child's brilliantly lovely lit.
tie face.
Betty Lancing at six had all the
charm and distinction of her mother
Already she commanded homage.
II was born yesterday" Katherine
answered the child, and her voice was
not quite steady
"Oh!" said Betty. She stared at
Katherine thoughtfully. "You look
very big for a baby she said. eve
seen hitler babies than you. Mrs
Bates, that's the lady that cleans our
kitchen sometimes, has tiny, tiddy
little baby, and its Is three months
that's older than you, lot. Your
eyes are wet" said Betty pointedly
"are you CRYING? What for? Has
any one smacked your
Fortunately at this moment Betty
was awakened to sense of her re-
sponsibilities, for she turned and saw
her sister RECALLING herself at the
table.
BABY" she exclaimed She dart
ed forward and vigorously shook tha
shoulder of the small person devour.
ing bread and honey
ooh! you greedy greed. And you
had such lot of breakfast! never
knowed such a child in all my life,
commented Betty severely; then
struggling her shoulders, she turned
to Mrs. Brenton 81 can't do nothing
with herr" she said
This remark provoked a scene in
which Baby amply demonstrated that
honey was excellent for Strengthening
the vocal cords.
Finally she consented to sit on Miss
Graniger's knee, whilst her hands and
little person generally were made
clean, and then-Betty having eaten
several biscuits meanwhile-the time
for hating was declared at an end.
"If we don't go now we shall get nc
walk; and Miss Betty please promise
to hold my hand,'' pleaded Dennis, the
maid. 'She do play such pranks
ma'am, she makes her heart fail
jump, that she do
But Betty and Baby were hanging
on to their new friend.
"We want you to come out with
us, was their cry; and Betty added
magniloquently. ''We'll be most aw
full good if you'll come too"
Mrs. Brenton smiled into the girls
eyes.
Put on your things and have good
run with Them she said.
A few moments later three persons
attempted to go down very narrow
staircase abreast. 1t was a difficult
occupation, and katherine, in the cen
ter, was quite wedged in. Useless
was the voice of remonstrance frou
Dennis in the background, Betty ant
Baby refused to be separated from
their new companion.
ut must be managed some way
said Miss Granger. who had a re
sourceful mind and, picking up botf
small grey coated figures. she carried
them down the stairs under her arm:
like parcels.
The result was most satisfactory
do it again." said Baby, delightful
ly. But Betty came to the rescue.
mo, no. Baby she said cit!
cruel; can't you hear her blowing
And just look how red she is"
Outside in the street, Betty scanned
Katherine closely and critically
Nurse has a packet like that, bu