The Democratic advocate., 1908-11-06
AS SUGGESTED
By NORAH.
By Matilda Henderson Wheefock.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
By Matilda Henderson Wheelocl

and kettles and the cheerful swish OF
aoapsuds as Norah's dexterous hands
manipulated the dishcloth formed an
enlivening accompaniment 10 the ten
der strains Of kathleen MaVourneen'
or the rolticking melody Of "Rory
O'More."
But this morning no fresh young
Irish voice caroled forth through the
open window above her kitchen table,
and the corners Of Norah's wide red
mouth had pathetic droop, wholly
out of keeping with nativity when
uneauivocaIly proclaimed itself in ev-
cry feature.
Even the clatter and swish had
subdued sound, as though the pots and
kettles and the soapsuds, realizing that
sorrow had invaded their domain, We're
thus rendering a seemly acknowledg-
ment.
This explains how it came about that
another sound. also subdued and like
wise indicative of acquaintance with
sorrow, came floating in through the
window and fell suddenly on Norah's
ears.
This was nothing more nor less than
q muffled sob, and a single glance
through the window sufficed to show
that it had proceeded from the ham,
mock swung in the shade of the big
crab apple tree in the back yard.
This hammock, supposed to be Mop
abs own particular retreat in her
tod nv
a tumbled heap of pink gingham,
which lay with face forlornly buried in
a weather beaten pillow.
Norah watched for wondering mo-
ment the ebullition Of childish woe,
then dried her hands, wiped her eyes
with a corner of her apron and has
tened down the kitchen steps in the
direction Of the hammock.
A deeper burrowlng Of the head into
the pillow, a louder and more soulful
sob and a more vicious output Of the
long, black leg rewarded her initial in
quiry as to the cause Of anguish so
acute.
But presently the story came out
Aunt Beth had broken her promise!
Norah knew of the picnic this after
noon at Watson's grove.
Norah did and furtively wiped away
two fresh tears as she made q sad lit
tie sound in her throat Indicative of
assent For was there not to be
dance in the evening, and wasn't she
herself to have gone?
And now-well, now she wasn't go
ing, and something that she knew in
her heart would have been said to-
night would never be said now!
Well, after promising positively more
than n week ago that she, the aggrieyed
one, should go to this picnic in Uncle
Larry's machine along with Uncle Lar
ry and Aunt Beth herself she, the
aforementioned untrustworthy Aunt
Beth had calmly announced not half
an hour ago that, SO far as she and
the aggriovcd one were concerned,
there was to be not only no picnic, but
no Uncle Larry!
Now, the ag~rieved one knew that
'uncle" had been up to date merely
an honorary title and that not for
some months yet was Uncle Larry to
have come into full possession Of the
aggrieved one as really and truly
niece.
This had been q matter of minor i'm
port, since it hardly seemed possible
that the emOluments ensuing from the
possession Of a truly uncle could be
greater than were those of one so priv
ileged as to own an Uncle Larry in
prospectu.
Supplies of candy and motor rides
could scarcely in any case be more
steady. There hadn't as yet been any
picnics, for this was the first of the
season. And now there wasn't ever
going to be any picnic and no truly
Uncle Larry!
AS this edict of Aunt Beth, with all
it's potential consequences, came back
to her afresh the aggrieved one, emit
ting a particularly vociferous wall and
giving muscular vent to her despair in
a final vicious kick, flung herself out
of the hammock upon Norah's own
grief burdened breast.
"Why, Norah, you're crying tool"
The aggrieved ones sobs underwent
sudden cessation as she became
aware of this heretofore unheard of
IdcuTy IJdI pTOceeuluS Ou Tic part VI
happy Norah
IL can't help 1t, miss. Pm $3.50
sorry-for Miss Beth" sobbed Norah,
making a futile attempt to stanch the
flow of tears on the corner of the long
suffering apron.
Sorry for Aunt Beth! This was an
entirely new and rather absurd view
of the situation.
"Why, Norah! What are you sorry
for Aunt Beth for?''
"Because--oh. miss, because she
don't name it! She don't iver in the
world name word av itr
More wonders! Not mean it! Why,
If this were true and Aunt Beth really
didn't mean it, then there wasn't any
body to be sorry for. The aggrieved
ones voice had a sudden joyful note
of hope.
''Oh, do you think she didn't really
mean It, Norah? Then whatever made
her say it,"
''Och, belize twas jist foolish quar-
rel-iist q foolish, foolish quarrel-an'
now she's like to ruin her whole loife
be not givin' in! That's the way gurrls
be-they'H be dyfn' to make oop. but
it's die they will before they'll give
in! An the men be jist as bad, for
they'll TAX her word for it an sthay