The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-05-19
CHAPTER VII.-contlnued.

But across the street the Dobbs res
idence was undergoing more in the
way Of a general toilet than that
which had been finished at the Kin
ney house. The front door stood wide
open and the little hall and front room
presented swept and garnished ap-
pearance. All the flower pots on the
window ledge had green paper covers
and Haunted many brilliant colors, for
flowers bloomed under the ministra-
lions of Mrs. Dobbs' easy good nature.
AS Miss Cynthia was opposite the
gate the lady of the house came
around from the side yard with a
bucket of foaming whitewash in her
hand and an old broom, whose brush
was swathed in rags
Now, Bonnie, I've done caught you
fair! Come on and finish that last
panel of fence you done got tired on
last week. You've put the brush
away SO as not to find 1t handy, but
these rags on broomstick is just
as good. Make him come, Miss Gym
THE" And Mrs. Dobbs smiled a jo-
vial appeal to Miss Cynthia to use her
influence with the reluctant Bennie
why, boys like to whitewash, Mrs
Dobbs,' answered Miss Cynthia en-
couragingly. How nice everything
looks, everywhere"
We'll, it oughter, for Miss Seliny
Lue come around and walked us all up
long fore five O'Clock. I'm afraid to set
down, fer l am so stiff that mightn't
be able to git up again." answered
Mrs. Dobbs, plaintively.
We'll, | know Bonnie and Ethel
Maud are going to stay now and help
you get done so you can rest" said
Miss Cynthia with significant glance
at the two deserters, who fell to on
the fence with a will.
BE sure and notice them new lace
curtains Mis- Jim Peters Is a-putting
up in her front windows" Mrs. Dobbs
called after her as she started down
the street. Miss Cynthia smiled and
nodded as she looked over with inter-
est at q slender figure poised on a
chair by the window in the little cot
tage opposite the grocery. Mrs. Jim
Peters waved her hand in greeting
and Miss Cynthia caught glimpse
of the precious little cradle through
the open door.
The front regions of the grocery
were deserted and presented their
usual unitarian appearance, except
that huge punches of fragrant sweet
fern were set around in different
homely receptacles and arranged with
a decidedly artistic effect
Miss Cynthia's eyes roamed delight
eddy over the cool, dark interior, but
in a second were focused on scene
In the back of the store.
On the floor, collar flaring, sleeves
rolled to his shoulders and girt by an
ample bingham apron, knelt Mr.. Alan
with large tub full of squirming ba-
bies before him, and with praisewor-
thy despatch he was polishing off the
head of Carrots Of the flaming hair.
The brother of Carrots wiggled and
splashed and seemed intent on deep
sea dive.
Here, young man, | can't scrub
Carrots and keep you up too. Sit
tight a moment, can't you, old slip
pery?" The voice had slightly anx-
lous note.
Lands alive, Mr.. Alan, you hadn't
oughter soaped them both to onct!"
said Miss Selma Lue's voice from the
lean-to Just hold 'em still until
button Blossoms neck and put Glenn
mie on the floor and I'll come. A soapy
baby amt thing to take risks with
can tell you"
Gould L help?" Miss Cynthias
voice was sweetly solicitous, but II
acted on the be-aproned scrubber in
the manner expected Of two-pound
bomb. He sat back on the floor SO
suddenly that Carrots slipped danger
ously and the other Flarity almost &C
complished his plunge. A man on his
knees before deep tub of water with
a soapy baby in each hand is at dis
advantage in the way of greetings to
a lady who has walked right out of 9
dream, and not a word rose to the
troubled surface of Mr.. Alan's mind.
Miss Cynthie, honey, grab one OF
them children. quick!" Miss Selma
Lue called. sMr Alan hain't had the
experience to manage two, and If they
slip there will be mighty ruckus
with both of them in the crying way.
- In moment Miss Cynthia was on
her knees by the tub had rescued the
brother of Carrots and was holding
him firmly under his arms with botf
hands Not for worlds would she
have attempted to go on with tine
rites of the bath; holding up was
fraught with anxiety enough for bel
nerves. Across the dripping, bobbine
heads her eyes met the artists, anc
there ensued few moments of silent
breathless mirth that well-nigh inca
pacitated them both and threatened
disaster to the bathers.
"Oh. Miss Selma Lue. come get
him quick-I am going to let him sill
in a minute." she gasped. "Looi
out, Carrots is turning over, Mr.. Kent
Do hold him right side up"
There now" said Miss Selma Lue