The searchlight., 1911-07-14
CHAPTER Ix.-concIuded.

In few minutes she appeared at
arms and announced herself as ready.
Ethel Maud had picked up Blossom,
and Luella had darted across the
street for young Jim. and so skillful
was the extraction of the sleeper from
his cradle that he had never even
opened his eyes, and II seemed likely
that he was to have the adventure of
his life in a state of Inconsistencies.
With a great flourish of manner
their beaming friend seated Miss Sc
lima Lue In the tonneau. and under her
direction and with the assistance of
the meek young man. he packed the
children In around her.
Let's see, ! can hold both the
E1arities in my lap. and prop Glenn
Llie and Pattie in on this offside." she
directed, with an eye both to comfort
and security. 'Luella can set on the
seat by me and hold young Jim in her
lap. No, Bennie. l can't let you hang
TN behind; you and Sammie set on
this little side seat and Ella Virginia
and Ethel Maud on that one. Ether
Maud. you take Blossom In your lap
and help one of the others by the
sleeve TO stand up in front of you.
Everybody else fill In the cracks
where they can! Now. we are all
ready. mister, and you can let him go
as soon as you are a mind to. shure
do feel safe with you up in front and
the young man looking so careful like.
] have Jest got confidence in his back.
even"
Miss Selma Lue's merry eyes were
dancing with excitement and the wide
garden hat that Miss Cynthia had
trimmed with purple lilacs was set at
a rather adventurous angle over her
soft hair. which was flying tiny gray
curls in every direction.
Lands alive! won't all the folks
over TO the landing be surprised il
they come back and find us gomez
she exclaimed. All her neighbors had
sauntered over the Bluff to take din,
ner pals to the men passing on the
noon boat, and so were In ignorance
OF the expedition on which their vari
Gus families were about to embark.
Perhaps never I'm the history of the
"ottermobile" family had one carried
/ such load Of jubilant, seething Joy
as was packed In that very fashion
/ able member. As IT whizzed and spun
up the river road all the passengers
squealed with delight. and as they
coasted down the other side of the hill
they rose to their feet as one child
/ They danced and yelled. waved what
ever head-coyering was possessed BY
+ one or two Of them and stepped or
one another's toes In frenzy OF de
light. At the top Of the far hill they
slowed up. for their host was impress
ed by the sweeping river view and h,
turned to point IT out to Miss Selins
Lue.
Yes, indeed, il looks like ther,
never was sich a view of the Who'll,
world laid out before you anywher,
else. l have set on the grocery step.
and watched the top of this hill II
winter and In summer, sun-up ant
sun-down. in storm and clearing. an,
all the time a-wondering what wa
here on the other side that I never ex
pected to see in this life. ! am gla,
l always laid it out in my mind Al
beautiful as ! could. fer I woulde
been ashamed IL I had gone and mad,
little Of it to myself because I hadn'
ever seen IL. and maybe never would
Things always measure up to wha
you expect and it's the same witt
people. too; a-looking fer saints Vol
are mighty apt not to run on sinners
Now. Sammie. Bennie. all Of you stol