The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-10-09

Digger than ever Cousin Laura hur-
ried Cornelia out into the garden to
pull the radishes for lunch.
Back in the house Cornelia made i
discovery. Cousin Lauras house,
with its pretty rooms, cool porches.
vines, and hammocks was only d
house. It wasn't a home at all.
Cornelia went out and sat down in,
one OF her hammocks. She listened
to Cousin Laura's voice. but she
didn't hear much that she said. over
and over on her fingers she counted.
One, two. three, four, ave, six, sew.
en-, seven whole days-and the
nrst one not half gone.
There's little girl lives across
the street" came cheerily in Cousin
Laura's voice. shes Just about your
ago, and
Cornella couldn't hear any more.
Almost she hated the little girl
across the street.
think, Cousin Laura, I'd better
go-back home" she said. Pm
maybe, I'm sick"
You're hungry" said Cousin
Laura and lunch is ready Any.
way, Cornelia," she added as they
sat down at the pretty table, "you
can't go home until the four o'clock
train, unless you walk.
After lunch Cornelia looked at her
watch again. One O'clock three
hours had gone since she left home.
Inree hours more must go before
she could go back-even if Cousin
Laura would let her go at four
o'clock.
Cornelia was out in Cousin Laura's
pretty garden. Cousin Laura had
gone to get the little girl across the
street Cornelia stood by the mignon-
cite bed. It's fresh, strong scent
made her think of beautiful cool,
sweet twilights, with the first stars
coming out slowly, and mothers
voice from the door calling, Come,
now, dear, it's bedtime"
Bedtime? Even if these hours
were long in passing, bedtime was
coming sure and swift. Every min
ute brought it nearer. That dear,
voice in it and mothers kiss and
mother herself! How could it come
without mother?
Cornelia crawled under the fence.
She ran through the orchard. Broad,
beautiful fields lay beyond Far off
was a CLEAN of blue which was the
river. If she could ever reach the
river, she could follow it home.
Cornelia was halfway across the
first field when Cousin Laura's voice,
painting and frightened, called after
her, "Cornelia, Cornelia, where are
you going, child?"
Home" cried Cornelia. ct can
walk, I guess.
Cousin Laura hurried up. She
caught Cornelia's hand. "You can't
walk, dear Wait! You shall go at
S.55, I'll put you on the train my
self. You'll get there that way much
sooner"
Cousin Laura led Cornelia back
across the field. In the orchard
was the little girl from across the
street. She stared at Cornelia
in friendly fashion from the
funnel of her blue checked sun-bon-
net.
Cornelia pulled her hand away
from Cousin Laura's. She looked at
her watch. 1t was half-past one.
Four o'clock wasn't far off now. 3.55,
Cornelia calculated, was still nearer.
Both came long before bedtime.
"You got watch?" said the little
girl from across the street. 81 wish
| had. / got goat; want to see him?
Let's run"
At half-past three Cousin Laura
set out with Cornelia's suitcase. She
crossed the street.
"Cornelia," she called, "it's nearly
train time. You must hurry"
There was rush, followed by
wild clatter and scramble. Around
the corner of the house, at break
neck speed, came the goat He was
drawing small express wagon. On
the sea was Cornelia. She was driv.
ing.
At sight Of Cousin Laura and the
suitcase, Cornelia's face grew sober.
"Oh, it can't be time vet" she
cried. whoa, Billy, whoa! Cousin,
Laura, I'm having perfectly spleng
did time. II guess I'd better wait
till to-morrow!"-The Christian Reg.
lister.