The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1909-01-01
AS SUGGESTED
BY NORAH.
By Matilda Henderson Wheelock.
Copyrighted, lsOs, by Associated ,
Literary Press.
By Matilda Henderson Wheelock.

and kettles and the cheerful swish of
soapsuds as Norah's dexterous hands
manipulated the dshcloth formed an
enllvening accompaniment to the ten
der strains of "Kathleen Mavourneen'
or the rollieking melody of Rory
0'More."
But this morning no fresh young
Irish voice caroled forth through the
open window above her kitchen table,
and the corners of Norah's wide red
mouth had a pathetic droop, wholly
out Of keeping with nativity which
unequivocally proclaimed itself In ev-
cry feature.
Even the clatter and swish had
subdued sound, as though the pots and
kettles and the soapsuds. realizing that
sorrow had invaded their domain were
thus rendering a seemly acknowiedg-
ment.
This explains how 1t came about that
another sound, also subdued and like
WISE Va WIN
sorrow. came floating in through the
window and fell suddenly on Norah's
ears.
This was nothing more nor less than
muffled sob, and single glance
through the window sufficed 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
abs own particular retreat In her
hours Of leisure. was now occupied by
q tumbled heap of pink gugham,
which lay with face forlornly buried in
weather beaten pillow
Norah watched for wondering mo-
ment the ebullition of childish woe.
then dried her hands, wiped her eyes
with 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, 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 Watson's grove
Norah did and furtively wiped away
two fresh tears as she made q 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-well, now she wasn't go.
ing, and something that che knew in
her heart would have been said to-
night would never be said now!
Well, after promising positively more
than a week ago that she. the aggrieved
one should go to this picnic in Uncle
IaTy's machine along with Uncle Lar
ry 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 really and truly
niece.
This had been matter of minor I'M
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
steady. There hadn't as yet been any |
picnics, 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 !
its potential consequences, came back |
to her afresh the aggrieved one, emit
ting a particularly vociferous 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"
The aggrieved ones sobs underwent
sudden cessation as she became
aware of this heretofore unheard of
lachrymal proceeding on the part Of
happy Norah.
I'll can't help 1t. miss. I'm $3.50
sorry-for Miss Beth" sobbed Norah,
making a futile attempt to stanch the
flow of tears on the 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 name It! She don't iver In the
world name word av it!'
More wondersl Not mean It. Why,
II this 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.
"Oh. do you think she didn't really
mean 1t, Norah? Then whatever made
her say IT."
"Och, belize twas jist foolish quar-
rel-iist foolish. foolish quarrel-an'
now she's like to ruin her whole loife
be not givin' In That's the way gurrls
pe-they'll be dyin' TO make COP. but
It's die they will before they'll give
I'M An the men be jist as bad. for
~, Iii Ali, l,ar xr,or,d fnr IL an etbov