Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-06
NAUGHTY LENA AND HOW SHE PAID

Mabel. II shall have to wear my old
frock. for mamma did not get my new
one done in time for the party. But I
don't mind"
''Oh. I'd hate to wear an old .frock
to such a swell party" said Lena. You
know It's to be very grand AFFAIR.
Ices, fruit. cake and all sorts OF things.
yes. it's nice to have new frock
for the party" admitted Mabel. But
since haven't one shall 60 in my old
one and try to have just as good a time
your frock is lovely. and know every
one will admire it. Where are you go
Mabeis question brought Lena to her
senses. She had not realised before thas
really turned into another street from
the one In which she had overtaken
Mabel. and was some three or four blocks
no than s sns asn not
IL won't matter now" she said TO her.
seld. Then aloud to Mabel: Where are
you going?-I may go with YOU" She
aress nna d ID %ans
indoors all afternoon.
I'm going to grandmamma's said
Mabel. II would like to have you 60
with me. But am not coming back al.
rectly. I'll stay for an hour out there"
Mabers grandmother lived fully half
q mile from Lena's home, but Lena did
not mind tho walk and decided to &C.
company Mabel to her grandmother's
for she felt that she must not remain
away from home too long.
But neither Of the little girls noticed
that clouds were gathering thickly over
head. and when Lena said goodbye to
Mabel at the gate OF the latter's erand-
mother she turned homeward without
hearing the low thunder which rumbled
in the darkening sky. She was so in
hor ha
ton ii must make at the party, that
she had no ear nor eye for her surround
ings till she had gone long way from
Mabers grandmother's home. Then sud-
denly some big drops of rain splashed
In her face, cold. November rain. The
day had been delightfully."- warm for that
time Of the year and In her vanity Lena
had come out without wrap. She had
felt the chill of the air on the way to
Mabels grandmother's. but was deter
mined to say nothing about II. and
thought that on getting home she would
run to the big crate fire and get warmed
drops Of rain splashed in her face she
stopped for an instant and looked about
her. Then she looked overhead. The
clouds were so heavy that Lena knew
hours. and 1t would not be wise for her
to stop at any OF the cottages on the
roadside. She must get home as quickly
as possible. So she set OF at run,
tno ram COMING 0OWu ldStcT anu AoShSts
And az there were no sidewalks at the
outskirts Of town Lena was going in the
open road, which was becoming very
muddy. Her hat and hair were drip
ping when she ran into her own home
confronting her mother. who opened the
door to her.
why, Lena!" was all her mother said
then. But there was Q volume Of re-
proach in her voice and q look Of dis
appointment In her dear mother eyes.
Lena's heart smote her. but repentance
cannot wipe out the wrong done. To.
gether mother and child went up 70
Lena's room where the new frock, drip
ping and spoiled for wearing till e
should 90 through the process Of clean
ing and pressing. was taken on her.
Then the little girl. suffering from
severe chill, was put to bed and q doc.
tor called. He said: .'she must remain
quietly In bed till Monday. and must take
this medicine three times q day. She
his taken O very bad cold through this
wetting and must be nursed carefully for
q while." $780,
And that afternoon while the party was
in progress at Gracie's homo one OF the
invited questioning TO her own naughti.
ness and vanity-was lying Ill In bed at
home her heart too heavy for her to
talk over her disappointment to the pa
tient mother who nursed her and talked
SO lovely to her that her conscience
stalked forth and upbraided her unmerci-
fully.