The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-18
nv PHILIP KEAN.
tCopyright, 1911, by Associated
Literary Press

by PHILIP kENN.
Copyright, 1911, BY Associated
Literary Press
Father, you shouldn't have let me
spend so much at school when all OF
you needed things--you shouldn l.
She knelt beside the big chair, and.
with her face against the rough collar
of his coat, sobbed out her protest.
There, there" he smoothed her
crisp curls with his big hand. 1T was
the failure Of the peach crop, glriie,
and money has been SO scarce
Il didn't dream. was her renewed
explanation. "And ! have been going
on as IL We were millionaires
Not quite that but YOU We're dip
ping III pretty heavily, SO Your mother
and thought it wogid be best for you
10 square your shoulders 10 poverty.
like the rest OF us,
'of course, Mother can let Chloe 80
and I'LL do the cooking"
"Not SO fast" her father warned.
'You-u have all the work you need to
help mother with the kialets and we il
all have Ia lead the simple life, Bah
bic
You vii see how economical l can
be-
As the months passed, however.
Barbara was convinced that economy
could be carried no further. They
had let Chloe 60, two of their daily
meals consisted largely Of fruit. auG
the third often lacked meat The
problem Of making ends meet was
heavy.
The climax came one Monday
morning when the little mother was
kept In bed by a headache, and Bar
bara went to her father for orders,
Father. everything has given out.
and you wont let me ask for credit
at the store"
No" sharply. II guess IL has come
20 bread and water, Rabhie. / must
have every penny To put In the orch
ards. II means our living next year.
you know"
If ] could only earn something ~'
No, not yet" he caught her fin
gers in his. "you are too young"
II am nineteen"
Too young" he repeated.
DO Won think It Is too hot for soup
fdr lunch? There are some vegetables
ieft---odds and ends"
Anything to satisfy the children
! can eat lettuce and bread and be
thankful.
He smiled at her SO brightly that
she kissed him, and cried, lyon are
a wonder" Then, with the inspira-
tion of his high courage, she put her
whole heart and soul into the making
Of the soup
After lunch she went for walk
through the long lane of pines which
led to the beach. The wind. blowing
from the south, brought with IL "a
warmth which made most of the
guests of the summer hotels retire
to their rooms. and the porches We're
deserted. A few bathers LACED In the
purple rollers. A half dozen hooded
chairs, set on the sands. protected d
little company OF old ladies who. at no
other hour of the day, dared to brave
the elements. Up the beach the babies
played under the care Of ianguid
nurses.
AS she walked among the little
folk, Barbara was struck by the visit
fitness Of most of the childish faces.
AS young things viii do, they carried
their treasures Of seaweed and sh ell
To their nurses. only to be met 10y
coid-eyed indifference Barbara. I'M
Outstanding their needs. smiled At
them, and Was soon the center OF a
circle.
Lets huilh sand castle with q
moat." was her enlivening suggestion.
1t was all very fascinating the old
ladies were delighted, and a certain
tall young man. lounging languidly in
"A chair. watched with interest the ef-
forts Of the very charming and en-
ergetic girl.
Say thank you. Toddlekias." he
told his small sister, and ask her to
come again"
Please" begged Toddlekins and
Barbara promised.
But the next day her mother was
not we'll. and the day after it sterined,
and the day after that there was
baking to be done. and it was while
Barbara was rolling out little CAKES
that Toddfekins appeared at the back
door.
MY big brother and / want you To
come down 10 the beach ard play.
she announced. and make forts and
things.
But. darling" Barbara pleaded. a
am making cookies.
oh" said Toddiekins. rapturousty.
Then She peered around the corner OF
the porch. @Oh. dear Brother Bohs.