The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-05-18

( "a struggle going on there. beneath tho
row OF Hat pearl buttons pressed TO
/ her cheek. ~
81 s'pose she can't help it," her
srondmother said shakily. GO ten
your SISTER once and for all thcre'll
/ Zoe no more wooden images. If she
understands that she is to come out
I TO supper. There's molasses cake.
after supper Wen start sewing the
carpet rags for the new rug"
\arClSSa went. It was not nj oDco
'n3t she came back. leading Valera.
calm, hut plainly touched by a real
/ grief. N''
Il don't want to die or be a Chinese
heather. Her eyes with the storm
shadows underneath. looked out fear
fully.
Grandmother Pollard's arms opened
and received her.
once year the Pollards had a new
rag-rug, woven 10y Betsy Smith Join
ing the many colored rags. torn into
strips. was begun in the autumn. and
Just before Christmas came the bright
huty strings Of them were taken
across the street to Betsy. BY Christ
mas Eve the rug would be ready.
Placing ii was an event. but OF almost
equal Importance was the autumn
night the sewing of the rags began.
To their seats each side of the rag
| basket hurried the twins. thimbles
and needles ready. Grandmother Pol
D
them. Little hands, flew needles
flashed in and ont. gathering, gather
| lnE. quick chattcring tongues recalled
the pristine beauty of little frOCkS and
of grandmother's ginghams, Of which
there now remained but the rags GO
ing 10 make the rug.
"Nalora." spoke Grandmother Pol
lard in silent moment what Won
making that whole strip black for
what YOU thinking Of"
ITS a mourning strip for my burnt
child" returned Valera.
The old lady's hands dropped. work
ing helplessly i'm her lap.
Put the rags away" she command
cd finally. Put down your needles
children, till Valera comes to herself
"Oh. Valera" with a flood of tears
came Narcissa's reprOach. its mean
TO spoil everything over an old block
| OF wood. ou-NOu are heathen.'
In her lap, her little fingers franti-
Valera looked with wilful eyes and
grieved mouth at the fire. sitting
silent.
Come" Grandmother Pollard took
up their little la-.. 100 to bed
The SObbing $50. 1858 led away
Valera slid from h,r chair, holding
up the string Of black
II didn't start out to do it," she said
aloud, an l wonder what made me.
TIA spoil the rug. too. oh. dear
grief and went guiltily 20 bed.
It was the stormy shadows Continu-
inE beneath NalOra'S eyes. the droop|
OF her little shoulders and the per
ccptible GOODNESS between the twins
with their avoidance OF the enchanted
wood-pile, that decided Grandmother
Pollard. The children needed a
change.
a thrilling melodrama was coming
90 town 10 play one night and a matt
nee.
BY n strange perversity i'm Grand
mother Pollard. that was not. how
ever. misunderstood ny the twins. She
employed her severest tone and man
ner when about to convey the best
possible news. Thus il was the late
afternoon OF the night Of the great
surprise she called stcrnly for them
to come into the house.
sit down by the fire and try to-
keep quiet for awhile" she com
manded.
But how could they keep quiet when
there she was with her hair in a
silvery puff. held by the new white
comb of her last birthday atop of
her head, and her best cloth-top shoes
on?
stop squirming, Valera. learn to
sit quiet she insisted. while she bus
tied about with maddening unusual
ness. Have YOU seen any picture adj
refreshments Of what they'H do in the
show 90
simultaneously the twins leaped
from their chairs.
Now look here" said their grand
mother when she had admitted what
was i'm store for them. go for the
milk and don't tell Betsy Smith where
you're going. Understand there isn't
amy reason why she shouldn't know.
except it's nOb0dN's business. We're
going tonight cause it's Friday and
YOU can sleep late in the morning and