Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-07-26
THE LITTLE
BROWN HOUSE
copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary Press.)
BY JEROME SPRAGUE

<CopyrIght, 1911, by Associated Literary Press.)
Jacquelin used to look out of her
window at the house next door and
envy the four girls who seemed to
have such good times.
And they have the incest brother"
she would say to the motherly WON
an who was half maid and halt
housekeeper.
Il think he is pretty selfish" Mary
would answer grimly; they're al
ways fussing over him."
"Oh, but he is always bringing
them things. He comes home with
little parcels, and they run out to
meet him, and when the shade is up
in the living room l can see them
open them"
1T seems to me you must be watch
ing them pretty closely Mary said.
Well, what else have I to do"
Jacquelin demanded, Gin this big
house, with my throat bad all the
time, and nobody to come to see me?'
1T is pity your uncle ever moved
here" said Mary. IF you had stayed
in the house where you'd always lived
you'd have had friends enough"
Jacquelin's lips quivered. Il was
glad to come away" she told the old
woman. Everything in the old home
seemed to speak of mother, and now
that haven't her any more I'd rather
be away from the familiar surround
ings."
Then she broke down and cried,
and Mary comforted her. What you
need is company" was the old wom-
ans comment. "You just sit here
and nope and nope, and it is bad for
you to do So"
do you know what I'd like to do?"
Jacquelin said. I'D like to give
party and invite those girls next door
and the boy, too"
Mary looked at her severely. THAT
might do if you were eight years old
instead of eighteen, but young ladies
don't give parties and invite people
they've never met"
Il don't care" JacQuelin said
Those girls next door are as poor
as they can be, and except for their
brother, they never have any fun
They work all day
We'll, you might ask one of them
over to sit with you," Mary capitu
lated 81 don't suppose it would
hurt, though l don't know what you1
uncle would say about it,
'I don't care what he would say,
Jacquelin declared. I'm young, ant
/ can't be shut up like a prisoner IL
a castle"
"Of course not" was Mary's sooth
ing reply. you just write LITTLE
those girls
But Jacquelin was not easily sway
ed from her plans. I'm going t
have all of them over" she said, 1T
lunch tomorrow"
1t was hopeless for Mary to argue
SO the note went forth and created
great sensation in the little brow
house next door.
' will you listen to this?" sal
Ruth, the eldest girl, who ha
opened it. She read aloud the To-
lowing:
IL have so often watched you fror
my window. l am very lonely an
not very well, and I wish you coul
come to lunch with me tomorrow
Can't you? Please say yes and max
the girl next door very happy"
There, l told you she WASH
proud"
do you think we ought to go?
Ruth asked anxiously.
"Of course" said Betty promptly.
But Grace and Eveline were ne
sure. ct would be lovely" they sai'
But what would brother think"
Brother" Betty groaned. "Oh, Be
IS such a stickler for proprieties."
Bob is DEAR" Betty agreed; obi
he'd like to keep us in cotton woo
He is so afraid we might make u
pleasant intimacies that he keeps l
shut up like lot of children, and
want a good time"
why Betty" they exclaimed. #
is man and he doesn't understar
that We want to get out and see som
thing of the world, and I'm going ov
to the big house for lunch tomorrC
whether the rest of you go or not"
Let us wait" they pleaded, ''un
Bob comes home. We can send O
answer at five o'clock"
We'll, of all things" said B
when he had read the note. ct
colossal condescension of it. She b
lived next door to you for six mont
and hasn't noticed you, and now S
wants you to come when she be-
ons. I guess not"
Betty's face famed. Il don't s
why" she said. 1T is our one char
for a good time, Bob Carson"
But Bob was obdurate. Il sho
think you'd have some pride in
matter, Betty he said.
Betty went away TO weep by b
self, but the three other girls accep
the verdict meekly.
The next morning Bob star
-, oI0r st.