The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-04-08
Maclge's S Visit.
By Frances Harmer.

The Hamiltons veranda was u fav-
orite place of resort for their young
friends. 1t was large and cool and
shady. Therefore all such little bits
of their various duties as could be
performed in that spot were carried
to the shade of its overhanging vines.
On this May morning Millie and Ka-
tie had taken the peas to be shelled
for dinner, Sophy was stoning cherries
near them, and poor Madge, to whom
inevitably fell all the more distastelul
tasks, had just arrived with the po-
tatoes to peel.
"Why is Madge doing the potatoes
again?" her mother had said.
81 must keep my hands nice for
my embroidery" was Kate's answer,
though she hid had the grace to
blush. "Oh, looli There come Allie
and F'lossie Richards, How excited
they looli!
AS the mail man arrived at the same
moment with one letter for Mrs.
Hamilton, she took it and re-entered
the house, while the four girls turned
eagerly to their young friends.
"Oh, such news" cried Floss, the
elder, running up the steps. Cousin
Lawrence has asked us to go with his
two girls and Mrs. March she keeps
house for them, you know-to Nan
tucket for six weeks!"
"How delightful chorused the Ham,
iltons "Sit down."
ANY of your plans set?" inquired
Allie, beginning to help with the
peas.
"Milly and Sophy are all right" said
Kate, her brow slightly clouding.
"They are going away with daddy and
mother But either Madge or | have
to go to Uncle Jim's."
"Oh, to that dull little old farm
house, with no one there but your
great uncle and aunt? That will be
pokey."
And Aunt Emma wants one of US
to go to the White Mountains with
her and little Gladys" went on Kate.
Il long to see the mountains So"
$50 do l." put in Madge, quietly
81 don't mean it will be unmitigated
fun" Katie took no notice of the in
terruption, for Gladys is very spoilt
little thing. Still, the White Noun
tains are
"The White Mountains" concluded
Allie. $50 they are"
"But we must go on and tell the rest
of the girls" cried Floss. "We'll see
you at recess. Goodbye"
"Oh, do wish that things could
be settled" cried Kate. Il want to
begin packing. No need to finish that
eyelet embroidered waist if I'm to go
to that pokey"-
At that moment both father and
bother came on the yeranda. Mrs.
Hamilton carried an open letter.
This is from your Aunt Emma,
announced Mrs. Hamilton. "She wish
es whoever is to go with her to meet
her in Albany next week."
"Oh," gasped Madge and Kate, in
one breath. Then they looked at each
other, and everybody else looked at
1hem.
ITS a pity it's no ones fair turn"
Remarked Mrs. Hamilton. Each OF
Sou has been twice, know. But, ow-
Ing to last years measles, the turns
were mixed Madge went two years
running"
81 am sorry" said Mr.. Hamilton, in
a grave tone of voice, that 1t should
seem SO great a tax. | know that
there are no young people with your
uncle. But he and Aunt Martha are
worthy, cultivated people. And, when
/ was an orphan boy, Uncle Jim took
my fathers place"
Madge had a sweet, thoughtful face.
She lifted it, with a sudden interest.
Not only that" pursued her father,
she lives a very sad and lonely life.
Is it much that a girl, who has almost
everything a reasonable girl can want,
should grudge one summer in every
four to cheer two lonely old people?"
"Why can they not come and live
with us-or near us?" asked Sophy.
"Then they wouldn't be so lonely"
"And we could cheer them up with
OUT
Without quite so great sacrifice
Mr.. Hamilton smiled slightly as he
finished Miles sentence for her.
LET me tell my children why do not
Hike to hear one of them talk grudging-
ly of giving Aunt Martha and Uncle
Jim two or three months each year."
He sat down among them, and
Madge drew a little closer.
twenty-five years ago their young
est and only surviving child-a hot
headed boy of twenty-ran away in
ct Of youthful folly and petulance.
They have never heard Of him since!