The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-10-07
From Lucile's
Diary


Cousin Fannie remarked one morn
ing not long ago that she would like
to give the girls in her mission-school
class a spring treat If she could only
think Of something to do.
why not take them into the coun'
try some afternoon to pick wild flow
ers?' ! suggested. "Ill go with you
and do all l can to help the girls have
a good time. I'll take my portable tea
service and we can ask Betty anG
Mary Townsend to go with U.S."
Cousin Fannie was much pleased
with the idea. Mary and Betty agreed
to go, SO l told them they could bring
the cake and sandwiches and l woulG
furnish the tea, so that lear Cousin
Fannie would be relieved of all the
preparations. l was particularly glad
not to have Cousin Fannie troubled
with the work, for she Is embroidering
a Japanese crepe gown for me, and
] know she needs all the time she
can get in order to finish it in time
for the Country clubs May dance, at
which l mean to wear it.
While telephoning Arthur knight
on Friday l casually mentioned ou1
plan.
your invitation isn't very warm,
but 1 may come, just the same" he
replied.
I'm not inviting you at ALL" l pro
tested.
But you wouldn't refuse a little re-
freshment to a thirsty traveller, would
.you?"
Come and see," answered.
When we all met at the railroad
station Betty looked at me a little dis
approvingly, l thought. aren't yor
afraid you'll soil that new white serge
suit?" she asked.
And how will those lovely suede
shoes look" chimed in Mary Town:
send, after a little cross-country walk,
ing?"
"Oh, you know l have a knack OF
keeping my clothes fresh and clean
under almost any circumstances" ]
explained. Il never feel obliged tc
veal Olu lullA6o " 6oVO NY 6oON
ones" AS l spoke 1 glanced good
naturally at the shabby attire of my
friends.
1 think they felt somewhat piqued
when Cousin Fannie's mission girls
clustered around me in an admirine
sort of way. was glad for their
sakes that ! had dressed with care, for
l know young girls enjoy seeing pref.
ty clothes.
Country roads always seem to be
either frightfully dusty or disgustingly
muddy and there was no exception to
this rule on Saturday. The walk from
the railroad station was as dusty as
If we hadn't had any rain in months,
and it was all 1 could do to keep my
skirt and shoes presentable.
IF l. had known how dusty it is ]
shouldn't have come remarked.
Never mind" said Cousin, Fannie.
We'll be in the woods in a minute
now"
So we were, and in a bog also.
well I'm not going to walk through
this" l announced decidedly. The
dust was bad enough, but this is i'm.
possible. I'll stay here by the road
and get the tea things ready while
you are all picking flowers"
l had just got the baskets unpacked
when l heard the footing of an auto
horn and in a moment more Arthur
Knights runabout swung into sight
around a bend of the road.
well this is great!" he shouted.
Its splendid luck to find you sc
soon."
"Since you have come so far" l said
as he Joined me, I'm not going to
keep you waiting for your tea. You
shall have some now before the others
return"
He was awfully hungry, for he had
gone without lunch in order to make
time for the ride, and he vas doing
full justice to the refreshments when
the rest of the party emerged from
the woods. They looked very much
bedraggled, with their hats and wells
awry and their skirts and shoes spat-
tered with mud.
well, I like this!" exclaimed Betty.
$50 do l." l said, quite ignoring her
sarcasm. Wasn't it lovely that Ar.
thur happened out here? You girls
look tired. You must have some tea
at once"
But / found, to my surprise, that the
alcohol bottle was empty, so l could
not make any fresh tea. Fortunately
the mission girls did not dislike the
rather cold beverage which was left
In the teapot. Cousin Fannie, Mary
and Betty declared that they cared
for nothing to eat, which was forum
ate, for the supply of cakes and sand
wiches ran pretty short.
why didn't you bring mere?" !
asked Betty.
I'VE weren't aware that we were ex.
pected to provide for a ravenous
man." she answered in a grumpy whis-
per.
do you know" l said to Arthur,
Il believe I'd like to ride back to town