The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-02-17

and lemons they clamored for, ana
oranges and lemons they had.
AS Eric stood with raised arms and
pair OF soft, white hands in his. he
was conscious of the sensation that
under such circumstances he would
like to play oranges and lemons every
day OF his life. Miss Norvell sang
Justify, her very blue eyes bright with
merriment. They swooped now and
then on the scurrying throng amid
shrieks of merriment.
Then came the tug-of-war. when he
could press those shapely fingers tight
ly In his own, pretending that he
wanted TO get good grip on them.
In the midst OF their shouting and
screaming a maid entered with news
of tea.
II do hope you can stay for the
f, piece de resistance" whispered Eric
hopping his brow, as they descended
the stairs together. I'm going to give
them a bran-pie, in the library after
tea, and each is TO dip in turns. My
ihousskeeper and one OF the maids
have been busy all the morning wrap
ping up parcels. / came back from
Bicester with my pockets full OF keep
sakes last night.
She nodded brightly.
I'll stay willingly" she said /;
they're such dears,y'
II didn't think so-till you came
he told her. gratefully. Il thought I'd
never seen such tiresome set OF
children In my life. You've mes
merized them, l think"
Tea was over Miss Norvell had
welded teapot with a dexterity
which drew forth the respectful adj
miration of Eric Daltons house,
keeper. She had decreed milk-and
water and sponge cakes for the tots
and stopped well-meaning but un-
enlightened footman from stuffing
them with currant buns.
(! After tea they surged upstairs
The gas In the library was turned low
and In the center OF the room stood
huge wooden tub draped with red
Bran filed 1t TO the brim, and under.
meath the bran we're concealed de
Hshtfal kHebby parcels, small and
large.
| The children on seeing this shouted
with excitement. Eric and Miss Nor
veil marshaled the guests into places
and made great ado about the cere
mony of dipping.
Silence was commanded, and al
Miss Norvell's suggestion each child
came up IN turn--beginning at the
youngest--was solemnly blindfolded
turned round three times, and then al
lowed to thrust his or her arm deep
into the dry powdery bran and carry
away the result OF the dip.
This kept the excitement at fever
pitch for quite an hour. All kinds
OF wonderful toys appeared. Boys got
dolls and girls tops. and exciting
changes we're effected.
Isn't Miss Norvell going to have
a try?' suggested some one. when the
tub was well-nigh empty and every
one was laden.
Happy notionl or course she
shall" declared Eric. There are
several things left yet. right at the
very bottom, Miss Norvell. so dir
deeply"
He tied up her eyes with mock
solemnity, and couple OF small boys
twisted her round Then turning uT
lher sleeve, she thrust her white
rounded arm low down In the tub
and, after sine groveling, brought vi
a small parcel.
There were three others" she said
but [ chose the smallest to show
wasn't greedy. oh. children. whatever
can II be?"
Eric removed the handkerchief from
her eyes. and she busted the bran. from
her hands. and proceeded carefully e
unfold the paper round a small hard
oval object.
"A iocket." she exclaimed. "A sil
yer locket!"
Good heavens" cried Eric vexedly
as she held the object UP. How OF
earth did that get into the bran.tub
lCnfrord must have found that In m:
bpocket with the other toys and i'm
i agined I meant II for the children"
He held out bis hand I'm yer.
sorry" he said gravely. That's prl
vate property. I'm afraid you mus
dip again"
But do lets see it," shrieksd th'
youngsters. -
I Miss Newell held up For their IN