Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-18


it so hard for Virginia.
Virginia their cousin and she and her
mother lived in attic in the Morri-
son house which really not as bad as it
sounds for the roof of the attic slOped down TO the
caves and the birds built in the corners OF the little
peaked window and the doves rested the broad SILL
and every morning Vrgini. would lean out and say
Woodworking" and the gray squirrels who
lived in the great tuptree would stop fo- moment to
chatter welcome the little girl in the clean
bingham apron with her shining hair braided INTO two
long pig-tails down her back.
The Morrison girls had curls, ard they weren't
always nice about Vrginia's straight locks, but Fir-
einias mother would say when they teased her, Pretty
is as pretty does dear heart; ard would rather have
nv little girl syyeet-tempered than beautiful
There was no denying that the Morrison girls were
not swcettemoered on the morning OF the Fourth OF
July picnic.
I'VE simply can't all get into the surrey they
planned, with the baskets ard bundles AID wraps"
you shouldn't have invited the Boothbys, Mrs.
Morrison rcproved them You knew Virginia and her
mother wanted to 60"
"If you could just squeeze Virginia i'll" Mrs. Ran
dali said arxiousIy, Il shouldn't mind staying home
81 don't see how we can Mrs Morrisoas re
spouse Il certainly do hate to leave you all at home,
but maybe can get some one TO stop. for YOU
Maybe agreed Mrs. Randall, patiently; but Nlr-
GINA ran upstairs to the little attic room, and threw
herself on her bed and sobbed and sobbed while her
mother packed the baskets with sandwiches and cakes
and everything that the Morrisons taking to the
picnic
Virginia heard them drive away, and when her
mother came up she sobbed harder than "Oh,
wanted to 60"
81 know her mother said, with her around
her. but Cousin Julia is very good to let US live here
We shouldn't have any home if it wasn't for her,
and we must be grateful dear heart
"But if the girls hadn't invited the Boothbys They
knew 1 wanted to 60" Virginia insisted; "and the
Boothbys could have gone with their own family"
Mrs. Randalrs lips set in way that showed
Virginia that her mother agreed with her
I'VE must try and make the best of it,, all she
said
But the making, the best Of it wasn't easy.
dow: Everybody is going, she said as she saw the
carriages hurrying by with their happy loads and her
chin quivered-
suddenly.
oh Virginia clappsd her hands, rapturously May
There were four trunks tucked away under the
caves and Vrginia's braids bodied with excitement
her mother the little brass keys of the old
fashioned trunks. tied with faded bits OF ribbon.
THE one with the white ribbon unlocks the trunk
with your grandfnothers weddingdress, and the key
with the pink ,locls the trunks with the dress she
wore when your grandfather first her, and others
with the purple and green ribbons, are the keys to the
Which shall we open first? You may have your
Let's begin with the pink" Virginia said eagerly.
/ The little key in the lock, when there
sounding knock at the lower door.
Virginia. hanging out of the little peaked window,
announced. ITS in a big red automobile"
"You d better down and ask him what he
wants" said Mrs. Randall with her head in the trttnk
"And you had better offer him drink of welwater,
Virginia"
The man who stood in the doorway young and
TALL and Virginia liked his smile he said 81 wanted
to know if I might go into your pasture and paint
the cows"
Virginia's eyes grew round, Paint the cows?" she
gasped.
The young threw back his head and laughed.
II mean paint picture of the cows" he fastened to
explain, seeing that she had misunderstood him. II
won't hurt Them"
Virginia laughed too, at that. NWell it sounded
funny the way you said it." she told him.
There's cow" the young man explained, that
like and Just now she is standing in the middle of
the little stream and there's wild cherry tree the
bank. I couldn't pass and not get sketch of her"
Certainly" Virginia said, politely, THAT is Butter
cup and she's the prettiest COW in the pasture.
Then she remembered what her mother had said:
There's awfully nice water in our WE'LL she in
formed him, "and I'll get you a glass"
az would rather drink out of the gourd' And
"clinkety-clank, clinkey- cank" the old chain
the heavy bucket spashed into the cool depths.
ga man can't get drink like that every day. said
as he drained the gourd for the second