Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20


sal: 81; "a: :; $$;: !, +: 's: r.; ;;
tie Jopngs together.
No" said little Anne
"Oh" The Joplings fell back against one another
in disappointment.
Why didn't you go in
Miss Millicent keeps the key" Little Anne's
whisper impressive. She was thoroughly en-
joying the excitement she had created. 1t was not
often her luck to have much attention from the
small Joplings. They all big and healthy, and
the girls had pretty curs and the boys were strong,
while little Anne thin and pale and plain.
Miss Milcent didn't know l was there said
little Anne 1T was emima the cook that let me in,
" How did you get to know herr asked Joe Jop-
ling. who was thirteen and great tease. His tone
was scornfu and little Anne S face flushed
We both love roses" she said and Jemlma is
my friend"
Not word more could they get out of her of the
wonderful friendship made through the garden
fence between the lonely old servant and the lonely
little child.
Il am to go again." said little Anne presently,
and then maybe | shall see the red room"
No, you wont!" said Joe. Miss Millicent shut
l don't believe it has ever been opened since
The children stared with round eyes at this oft
told tale
why doesn't she open it," asked Emma Jopling.
Nobody knows" said Joe mysteriously.
For awhile the awed children sat in silent circle
round the big in the Jopling kitchen Through
the closed door that led into the next room came
the sound of monotonous lullaby crooned by Mrs
Joping to the last and the smallest OF the Jophng
babies.
Presently Emma JoPling spoke What do you
I'm find out the next time CO." said little Anne
brave1y.
But when she questioned Jemima, not word
Don't you mind about the red ROOM" she said,
land don't you let Miss Millicent know that you
are here. She doesn't like children:
Little Anne sat in a low chair in front OF the
kitchen fire and rocked back and forth rs Miss
Millicent happy, lJemima: she asked
IS She's lonely" said Jemima
7 TITLE Anne knew what it was to be lonely and
Il sometimes when she had helped to put all of
the Jopling babies to bed, and had washed Pa Jop-
ling's supper dishes, and had heard Emma lopllng
spelling lesson, and had corrected Joe Jopl1ng
sums and had then crept away to bed, she had cried
in the dark for the touch of her mother lips and
the caress of her mothers hands. For little Anne
unkind they did not know that to lonely little
girl love is the greatest thing in the world SO be-
cause she had been alone little Anne pitied Miss
Millicent
Poor thing!" she said when Jemima came
to the fire to get fresh iron
Jemima tried the iron with careful finger, then
slapped it down on the table. Don't you 60 to
She didn't want to-"
Why" was the question little Anne's lips;
but she knew that questions were not really polite,
she stared into the fire little longer, and then
rose to go.
Il have had nice time, Jenima," she said. and
touched the old woman s rough hand with her thin
little one II love to come"
Temima looked at her with sOftened eyes Now
YOU just sit down again and wait for lunch. l
going to get hers now" And she brought out eggs
and milk and began to make golden batter:
Oh do you think l night said little Anne,
who never before had been invited to lunch at the
big house.
E'Of course" said Jen1ima and that settled it.
An hour later when Jemima brought plate of
hot wafles into the dining room, Miss Millicent
looked from her book.