The Washington herald., 1908-01-05
CHAPTER VI:


out in the park they found a land OF
ve-itabIe enchantment The red sun had
mounted higher into a clear. cloudless
sky. and il endowed the earth with a
ruddy suggestion of warmth. but It was
merely a suggestion; the keen cold of the
air held it's own, and the gray bloom of
the hoar-frost lay like a veil on the
grass.
Dennis was left far behind. She had a
pinched look. and her nose was red
Keep on the path, please, Miss Betty. 20
she feebiy protested. every now and then.
But her voice was thin and weak; in
any case Betty had no ears for her.
She danced, and she sang, and she cur
veted gracefully on the frost-covered
grass.
Isn't il lovely? I want to roll in It."
she declared. as she paused at last and
painted for breath.
Baby looked up at Katherine with half
shut eyes.
I want bun.' she said. pIaintiveIy.
a bun.' cried Katherine. What is q
bun?"
Both children exclaimed at this. and
then proceeded 10 volunteer. explanations.
You see" Betty said to Baby, and she
stopped her 1ower-like face confidently to
the smaller one, she can't know as
much as me and you, cause she was
only horned yesterday, and / don't sup
pose she's ever eated a bun"
oh said Baby, looking at Miss
Granger meditativeiv
She had such an adorable air. standing
with her little head on one side, pad her
ewes black as slOes. full Of mysterious
thought, that Katherine was obliged to
hug her.
After that they had races, and Dennis
watched them with pleasure and come
envy, as she stood shivering in the cold
wind.
You're the proper sort to be with chill
dren, miss" she remarked when at last
they turned hOmeward. Now I never
do know what to do with em, and Miss
Betty she do ask such queer questions.
too"
Katherine Granger returned from her
walk flushed and disheveled, but happy
eyed It was almost impossible TO recog-
niZe in her the thin, white-faced, rather
defiant girl of the night before
What dear little lovesr' she exclaimed,
as she and Mrs. Brenton met She had
accompanied the children back to their
home. and was rather late In making her
appearance.
Another note had come from Camilla,
in which Mrs. Brenton was urged to be
with Mrs. Lancing at least a quarter of
an hour before lunch time.
Then we can have five minutes 70 our
selves Camilla scribbled, "and I shall
feel fortified to meet all the catty things
Violet means TO say!''
Miss Granger rather drew back from
the thought of accepting Mrs. Lancing' s
invitation.
She is really very, very kind" she
said earnestly. but still I don't know
that I ought to go TO lunch"
Agnes Brent0n answered this promptly.
"Of course, you must come with me.
Camilla is the most hospitable person in
the world and I know she will be very
disappointed if you don't 60 She has
taken a fancy to you"
Mrs. Brenton did not think it desirable
TO add more than this. She knew Camilla
so well.
It would be unkind TO put false hopes
into the girls mind: in all probability
ltlE Hu6HFoAiyi llluAN hU0uL alioH vi diilEFI
would have passed already from Mrs.
Lancing's thoughts.
So it was settled, and Katherine made
her modest toilet. That is 10 say, she
arranged ner hair carefully, and put on
her shabby hat and coat with more con-
sideratiOn than she had ever worn them
before
When they reached Mrs. L.ancing S
small house, the mistress Of it, who had
evidently been waiting for them, pounced
upon them both. and drew them into the
dining-room.
Violet arrived at a quarter to one,
she announced. Isn't it like her? I
know she thought TO have a good time
alone with my writing table, but I was
little too sharp for heTi I locked up
everything. She pretends she is very
glad TO meet You, Agnes. She has got
cold" said Camilla, the next moment
and looks more like pOached egg than
ever. BY the way, you are going to have
a wTetched lunch, my dear friends so I
warn you, I did intend giving you
something nice, and Violet loves good
things to eat. but she would sniff at a
sole if she saw il on my table and
faint if we had a pheasant. and all the
Lancing family would shake with horror
at the extravaganza of q sweet and
cheese at the same time, Never mind"
Camilla added, with a sparkle in her
eyes. you shall have a lovely tea tJ
make up for everything. Agnes, do &C
up and speak to her, there's a dear"
AS Mrs Brenton obedentiy went up
the stairs Camilla slipped her hand
through Katherine's arm
THE children are quite mad about you.