The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-21
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
A ROSY DAY.

lily LIS W COllCOk ACA k4Ou6ASSp kAO1
she sprang out of bed with sorrow
full:
II know. Auntie Ross telephoned
last night, just after came upstairs,
that she was coming to lunch and to
spend the afternoon. Why didn't ia
Their tell her that mother is spending
the week with grandma, when he took
the message? Of course, can't have
Gertie, too; they haven't thing in
common. l must run over and tell
Gertie to come tomorrow instead. 1t
is too provoking, after we had planned
things so beautifully! l just know
I'm going to be cross as two straWs
all day because my plans have gang
agley.'"
A little later, Bessie, as fresh and
fair as the July morning itself, was
tripping lightly downstairs, when
troubled voice called from an open
door:
isis, got an extra shoestring? L
forgot to get some"
do you ever remember anything,
Hugh?" Bessie asked turning back
and disappearing in her room.
Eyes; that you are the best sister a
fellow ever had!" replied the grateful
Hugh.
"Flatterer!" laughed Bessie, and hur-
ried downstairs into the dining room.
The breakfast table was still un-
spread, and, wonderingly, Bessie step
ped into the kitchen.
tits my head, Miss Bessie" Nora
said, looking with dull eyes into her
young mistress sympathetic face. II
tried three times to lift it from my
pillow this morning before / finally
managed it, and now it's too heavy to
hold up. And you're having company
today"
Never mind that, Nora,"> Bessie
said. go right back to bed, and az
soon as I've attended to father and
Hugh, I'll bring you cup of tea. You
say that always helps you"
After Hugh and his father had de-
parted and Nora had been seen to,
the beds made, and the dishes washed,
Bessie set off for market. She was
passing her next-door neighbor's, when
she observed her hanging out the
clothes, while Baby Dick fretted on
the grass and begged to be taken.
Surely you are not doing the wash
ing yourself, Mrs March," Bessie
asked.
YES; Mrs. Kirk sent word this
morning that she couldn't come, and
l must have clean clothes to take
when we go away day after tomor-
row." was the answer. Il wish it
wasn't so warm; baby feels the heat
dreadfully."
"Let me put him in his carriage
and take him with me; that will re-
lieve you and entertain him. Bessie
suggested. "I'm going to market and
then to Gertie's, and he'll probably go
to sleep on the way"
You're the dearest grill" Mrs.
March said, with grateful smile, as
| she hurried to get the baby ready.
After the marketing had been done,
Bessie turned her face toward her
friends home and met Gertie just set
ting out. When she had heard all
that Bessie had to say, she cried:
LET me come anyway, dear, unless
you'd rather be alone with Auntie
Ross"
ut isn't that; I only feared you
would find it dull Bessie answered.
you know Auntie Ross loves to tell
! the same stories over and over again;
she lives in the past. Mamma and
always listen to her because we know
it makes her happy, though we know
all her stories by heart. I'm so glad
you want to come"
The two girls set off together, talk
| ing in low voices so as not to disturb
the baby sleeping comfortably in his
carriage under the parasol. When
they reached home, Bessie gave him
into the care of his relieved mother,
and then went indoors to prepare
| lunch
Auntie Ross came precisely at
twelve o'clock, the hour she had
named. She was disappointed not to
find Mrs. Percival at home, but con-
soled herself with Gertie's company
while Bessie put the finishing touches
to the luncheon After the meal was
over, the three sat on the shady side
of the porch, and Auntie Ross talked
on in her gentle fashion, till her eye
lids began to droop, when Bessie
coaxed her to lie down on the library
lounge. When she was comfortably
settled, Bessie and Gertie washed the
dishes, and the former made prepare
lions for dinner, Nora still being in
capacitated. BY the time this was
accomplished, Auntie Ross had awak-
ened refreshed, and, after a cup of
tea, Bessie and Gertie took her to
the street car. They waved smiling
goodbye to her, and she called to
them:
! tits been such a blessed day,
dearies. I shan't forget the good time
| you made for me-