The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-09-24
THE LUCKY ONE.

j Iidut said Ruth.
need cpan- for my health said Anna
WILMA drawn-down mouth that might truly be the
sign of pain but with rosy cheeks which could be
Tie ign of a very healthy girl
Whoever goes, said Mrs. tone, will have not
only the visit but the new clotheso
Then it vii have to be me, because haven't
thing left over from last year, and must have
new clothes anyway" said Edith
II think ! might be the one" said Anna "for
have new winter suit already"
Which hts me as well as you, and could be
borrowed" added Ruth.
Children! Children!" cried Mrs. Stone. in de-
snalr What would Aunt Nell say if she were to
laar you quarreling over her invitation? She
writes: i love all three of my nieces so much that
] don t know which | want to visit me next
s. ] will leave it for them to decide. Send along
the girl who needs the change and l promise her
a- nice time as / know how to give :"
But, instead of filling them with contrition.
this reading of the letter made their desire to go
Ill the stronger.
Think Of the sleigh rides behind the gray pair,
adj nestled down in those soft black furs: = said
Anua with sigh, drawing the folds of an afghan
about her, and half closing her eyes.
II presume you hear the jigling of the sleigh
bells now, said Ruth. "A person with such a vivid
imagination as YOU We got doesn't need to go
away to enjoy things"
Well, MOTHER said Edith, with very grown
up air. Il think somebody ought to go who will
do credit to the family, and Of course I've been
out more and know how to act in society better
than these children.
These childrenr' screamed Ruth and Anna. in
derisive chorus; but Mrs Stone held up her fin
gers with warning gesture, and then, to the
surprise Of all, she buried her face in her hands
and sobbed-yes, mother was crying!
The three girls looked at each other in dsmay.
Mother" cried Edith, gently, what have we
done|
Il tired of it all, burst out the sobbing
woman. 1t has been so ever since your father
died. Things no sooner get to running smoothly
than there is a great fuss over who shall have a
dress, or whose boots are the shabbiest, or who
shall go the picnic. When there are three chill
dren there ought to be money enough to divide by
three, not by one. l cant decide for you any more
You must choose some way yourselves"
The slow tears ran down her cheek Edith no
ticed how pale and wrinkled it was. There used
to be the color there when father was alive. And
what a shabby dress
Mother, I've decided who shall 60 and it's
not myself. VIII you all consent? And mother
dear. viii you let do all the contriving about
clothes and packing. that you needn't have
thing to decide about it till the day comes to go
Mrs. Stone wiped the tears. Il very much
ashamed" she said. "Of course II help get any
one Of you ready. 1t was the disputing that trou-
bled me-
Just this once, let me, mother, said Edith
"lt will do me good, truly.
SO Mrs. Stone consented. and the two younger
girls were borne away to Edith's room (Which
ot MS is it asked Ruth.
Neither, said Edith.
Why, Edith Stone" said Anna; you selfish
thing, to choose yourself" Il ddnt, said Edith,
s-it's-mother!'
Mother echoed Ruth.
Why She wasn't even asked" said Anna.
No, but Aunt Nell would rather have her than
O.. ia ,f1 thor glp had
she'd come. Girls, and Edth's voice trembled,
"thc money has been divided into three parts when
il. ought to have been four Does mother ever have
new dress. Does she ever go to a picnic troll
l.v riding! Do we choose her to have the extra
orange or the Christmas present that's not marked
tor anybody No! We're selfish, that's what we
are,
But viii she go y" siad Anna.
She'll have to, I" said Edith. Ruth, you run
straight down to Mercy's, and say that we've de-
.i3ed to change the blue suit for black
Aara hasn't worn it, and there was a lovely plain
lack for the same price. You don mind, do you,
Anna Z"
iii wear my old one till it falls off, said that
young girl, "and imagine it's stylish with wink
Ruth
Her bonnet is all right, and how thankful
ny new silk waist is a plain black one, and
ta9 large. It VIII just fit mother
And III get boots for her instead of skates !
me-" said Ruth and let her choose any of my
stocks she likes and-and she may take my new /
+. buckle, if she II be very careful Of it,
4 note was dispatched to Aunt Nell, and the
ing planning went on. till the day for the visit |
.uo, and the mother was still in ignorance. She |
l thought it wise to let Edith arrange things this
u.o and had not tried to solve the mystery.
q 10 o'clock the three girls stood before her.
"Il one hour" began Edith "the expressman stops |
This house for the trunk of the one who IS to /
visit Aunt Neil"
(Which is no evidence, as the same trunk would
qa. whichever person went. put in Anna.
That trunk is now packed" said Edith,
And the contents not to be poked over or crit
.zed by the traveller" said Ruth "And articles
lent are to be considered the PERSONS own.
The ticket is bought" said Anna.
The PERSONS pocketbook properly filed with