The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-05-26
CHAPTER Vll.-ContInued.

Miss Selma Lue," said Mr.. Alan,
his eyes dancing with delight, 81 think
you asked me question first; claim
first answer. l dol do feel hungry
when look at her. feel that could
without provocation eat"
Miss Selma Lue," broke in Miss
Cynthia hastily, 81 am really getting
alarmed; and though Mr. Kent looks
cool and acknowledging grand, |
begin to think he may be more fero-
cious than he looks. Lions-are-"
Run, run. Mr.. Alan, for that's the
car to catch Miss Evelyn on the
switch--she oughter be here now in
five minutes. Come on, Bonnie, and
git all the children in line! Tell
everybody to come here to the grocery
steps and listen to the speech first
thing-there's Mr.. Bradford now My,
my, Miss Cynthie, don't everybody
look fine? Mis- Kinney's pink cotton
Grape goes so nice with Mis- Dobbs'
purple, and if Mis- Tyne amt fixed up
to beat the band" Miss Selma Lue
met her guests at the foot of the steps
and welcomed them with enthusiasm.
Miss Cynthia helped do the honors
and shared in the general excitement.
"Howdy everybody" said Miss Sc
lima Lue. I'VE sure make fine show.
She is going to shake hands right here
with us all and then go and see the
pictures before it gifts dark, and then
come the refreshments. Miss Cynthie,
you hadn't oughter hold Blossom, but
you jest will do it and muss your
dress. Now, Ethel Maud, hold Glenn
ME careful till her mother gifts here,
and | will carry the twins as we go
down to meet her. | feel like the ba-
bies oughter see it all-you can't be-
gin on manners fer entertainments
too young"
And SO the honored guest found
them, an exotic-colored aggregation of
palpitating excitement in gala attire
and more gala humor. 1t often hap
pens in the world that the coin of hui
man intercourse stamped entertain
ment does not buy for tenderer or bar
terer much in the way of real pleas.
ure, but on the Bluff 1t was otherwise.
Joy, real, effervescent sparkling Joy
filled every cup to the brim and ran
over.
The Bluff took Miss Evelyn to it's
arms and caressed and admired and
1ubilated over her to its hearts con-
tent. She was greeted in fiowery
phrases by Mr.. 81 Bradford, whose
oratorical acrobatic feats were as as
tonishing as the triple handsprings
that Bonnie Dobbs turned in her path
at every possible opportunity. 1t was
we'll that her fund of enthusiasm was
adequate to supply long drafts. Miss
Cynthia stood by and watched her
with awed pride and delight. She
enthused over young Jim Peters in
stiff and uncomfortable attire, and his
rosy, blushing young mother in soft
blue muslin. She admired all six
Tyneses and was especially interested
in Ethel Maud's little barked nose.
She expressed starvation at the aroma
of Mrs. Kinney's pies and listened
with rapt attention to Luella recite a
choice piece In nine verses, nor did
she fail to handle the heirloom teapot
with becoming reverence when it was
transported into her presence wrapped
In an old flannel petticoat.
my, my!" said Miss Selma Lue in
an aside to Mr. Alan, who had taken
his stand by her at the grocery door
just one step below that on which
or xrygt1
her arms. "Ain't they having a good
time? | do hate to break 1t up by
asking her to look at pictures, but Mr..
Leeks Is a-going to play her tune on
his meggyphone, and as soon as it's
over am going to send her right up
to the barn and keep the crowd down
here to help me set out the refresh
ments. S'posen, Miss Cynthie, you
run on up there now so as to be there
when Mr.. Alan gifts her up. am
sorry you won't let me take Blossom
away from you, though | know If |
try there will be hollering, and 1t do
seem pity to mix any tears In this
party" At the mention of her name
Blossom gurgled and chung to Miss
cynthia as If she understood that the
suggestion of her possible dislodgment
was being negated strenuously by the
lady OF her alterations.
n We'll, Mr.. Alan, you'd better go
long with em and hand her up the
ladder to Miss Cynthie Then hurry
back so you will be here when the
piece is finished. Now he's tuning
up!"
And obedieut to instructions and the
exigencies ~ the case, Mr.. Alan did
hurry-only one minute--was-long.
Miss Cynthia knelt on the loft floor
and reached down for the Blossom he
held to her from the ladder and her
face was the hue of the roses and her
eyes were twin stars-and tender. A
moment she held the rapturous baby
to her breast and smiled down at him
over the golden head--and as Mr..
Alan ran for the grocery to the last
strains of Wont You Come Home,
Bill Ba;ley?" as executed by Mr..