The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-02-06

feet away we're utterly 0bliviOua Of
her presence.
A few days later Cousin Editha and
her family made their appearance.
Give me the baby, Edes said
young man who had conducted two
small boys in dirty linen suits down
the car steps. THE brakeman Will
AIRY your luggage"
"Edel" Virginia looked IN disguzt
at the innocent young man, but her
disgust changed to astonishment q
minute later when her mother kissed
the pale young woman with her hat
on one side Of her head and told her
how delighted they were to see them
all. Was 1t possible that this was the
beautiful bride Of seven years ag02
The long train, exquisite veil and
white flowers with which Cousin
Editha had always been invested IN
Virglnia's memory faded away before
this tired, thin woman and her little
family
"And this is Virginia.? said Cousin
Editha, as soon as the boys had been
packed In the surrey and the baby ON
Mrs Castles lap. You're quite a
young lady, Virginia. and pretty one.
too No, Carlos mustn't whip the
horsiel Jack, stop pulling AZ the lines!
Those children were clean when VIE
started, auntie. but only for a few
minutes. suppose I'll have to take
the baby She's cutting teeth and
fearfully cross. Yes, mamma Is we'll
as usual, but she always seems tired
She helps me little with the chill
dren and--Jack! have spoken to yon
for the last timel II you touch those
lines again LII spank you as soon as
we get to auntie's."
Virginia sat silent during the short
ride. Cousin Editha's husband had
walked with Rob, leaving the surrey
for the ladies' and children, so Mrs.
Race had the whole care Of the lively
infants. Mrs. Castle sat with her IN
the back seat, and Virginia had the
two boys with her III front, SO there
was little chance for her joining In the
conversation il she had wished TO-
Her cousins sharp, tired voice grated
unpleasantly on her ears as she re-
membered the soft, low tones that had
responded SO musically to the momen-
tous questions the day she had been
the flower girl
EIDE hasn't been very well lately,
but think the rest viii do her good,
Mr.. Race was saying TO Mrs. Randolph
when they drove up to the porch
'1'ye got to hurry back to the city 70
attend to some business. but I'm glad
to leave the babies in such good
hands"
Virginia escaped to her room to ex-
anime the extent Of the damage twp
pairs Of dusty shoes had done TO her
dainty white dress, but her mother
soon called her down to wheel the
baby while Cousin Editha rests few
minutes" The few minutes proved 10
be two hours, for the tired mother
really was not well. and the long car
ride had made her worse than usual
She came down to dinner in white
wrapper that made her paler than
I ever. so Virginia devoted herself to
e the noisy boys till bedtime.
$ "A picnic for me? its very nice of
you, dear, but ! couldn't Sd" said
Cousin Editha. when Virgins spoke Of
K the plan she and her mother bad
! made. 7 couldn't be easy minute
:, away from baby, and taking her along
e Is out Of the question. You go ana
have a good time. Virginia, and don't
T worry about me. If ] can wear pair
a Of slippers and an old wrapper, that
a IS an / care for these days When
I the children grow up III go to picnics
i again, but, I'm afraid, not before.
aBut we want to do something
pleasant for you" said Virginia. How
! about party? That wouldn't be TAX
= ing you far from the baby"
aEde always says parties begin too
i late for her" laughed Mr.. Race she
y has acquired the habit Of going % bed
q at eight every evening.
1T always shocks Virginia to have
\ you say EIDE. but tell her we haven't
time for long names, said Mrs. Race
III she had three children crying at
= once she would soon learn to save
!. time every way she could. Yes. I q
" 60 to bed at eight when I'm at home,
J. for I'm always tired out You1l flRd
out what good times you're having
! now, my child. when they are all past
I feel old enough TO be grandmother
!. sometimes, and I'm only "a"
T" That's true" said Mr.. Race. with z
:, little laugh. Whenever | see Virgins
II and Herbert reading Tennyson TO
\. gether I think Of how used to sit
: BY the hammock and recite Lucille
4 by the hour to you, Editha. IN try q
AZ remember the old name for Virginia.
benefit. don't believe could call g
q mind three lines now to save my
q life
ID Virginia slipped away from the
81 young couple sitting in the midst o|
"a playthings, little garments and crumbs
ie Tor a good hard think in her own room
q Cousin Edltha'a visit came to an ens
y. before the lively children wore ever,
er one out. and when at last they ven
ie home Virginia gave an impFomptu lit
it | ia marty 81 aalah4afa tho event