The daily Alaskan., 1908-12-08

soapsuds as Norahs deXterous hands manipulated the dishcloth formed an enllvenlng accompaniment to the ten der strains of "Kathleen Mavourneen" or the rOllicking 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 Norahs wide red mouth had a pathetic droop, wholly out of keeping with a nativity which unequlvocally proclaimed Itself in ev- cry feature.
 Even the chatter and swish had a subdued sound, as though the pots and kettles and the soapsuds, realizing that sorrow had Invaded their domain, were 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 a untitled sob, and single glance through the window sutiiced to show that 1t 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 Nor ah's own particular retreat in her hours of leisure, was now occupied by a umbled heap of pink glngham. which lay with face torlornly buried in a weather beaten pillow.
 Norah watched for a wondering mo- ment the ebullitlon 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 burrowing of the head into the pillow, q 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 Watsou's grove.
 Norah did and furtivcly wiped away two fresh tears as she made a sad lit- tie sound in her throat indicative of assent. For was there not to be a dance in the evening" and wasn't she herself to have gone?
 And now-wcll. 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!
 We'll. after promising positively more than week ago that she, the aggrleved one. should go to this picnic in Uncle Larry's machine along with Uncle Lar " 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 aggrIeved one were concerned, there was to be not only no picnic, but no Uncle Larry!
 Now, the aggrieved 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 a really and truly niece.
 This had been a matter of minor im- 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 steaGR There hadn't as yet been any plcnics, 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 aggrieyed one, emit ting a particularly yoclferous 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 too"
 Tue aggrieved ones sObs underwent sudden cessation as she became aware of this heretofore unheard of lachrymal proceeding on tue part of happy Norah.
 1T can't help 1t, miss. I'm so-so sorry--for Miss Beth" sobbed Norah, making a futile attempt to stauch the flow of tears on :hc 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 mane it! She don't lver In the world mane q word av itw
 More wonders! Not mean 1t! Why, If thls were true and Aunt Beth really didn't mean 1t, then there wasn't any body to be sorry for. The aggrieved ones voice had sudden joyful note of hope.