Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-03-17
IT'S A
SECRET

an inch and beckoned Isabel with q
forefinger tingling with mystery.
Isabel" she whispered in a tone
that was easily heard across the
street. come on in. I. I've got some-
thing to show YOU"
Its upstairs in my ROOM" she
whispered hissingly.
The two clambered up the stairs.
There don't soul know thing
about it but me-" whispered Marion
"Oh, amt It lovely!" gasped Isabel.
They bumped on up the stairs. Then
Marion led the way into her own lit
tie chamber and closed the door mys-
teriously.
Gross your heart, hope you. may
die, If you ever tell" She fixed Isabel
| with solemn gaze.
"Oh. Marion, there won't never any
| thing make me TELL" she declared.
clasping her little hands In a trans
port of Joy. Then her face fell "Of
course, unless mother asks me about
| it," she added. It was very wistful
but dutiful pair OF eyes that looked
into Marion's.
Marion hesitated. well, of course.
and not her unless she asks you. It
amt anything she'd care about your
knowing. It's just that I want to
s'prise people,"
She dived under the bed and drew
out a box. Then she seated herself In
her little armchair and Isabel squat
ted in front of her in rapt admiration.
You wouldn't ever guess, Is'bel."
went on Marion, condescendingly, aft
er a moment, during which Isabel
watched her with bated breath.
"'cause you're so kind of stupid, so
I'll have to tell you.
Wouldn't you be just s'prised to
pieces, Is'bel, If should tell you I
was writin' book?"
Isabel nodded, shutting her mouth
for moment as though to swallow
this exciting information. "Oh," she
said, "a book" Then she opened her
mouth again.
YES" said Marion, busily unfold.
ing papers and spreading them out
on her lap. "a pink book, or maybe
blue one! l haven't decided which
yet. With the picture of lovely lady
on it! And I'm going to read 1t to
you'll"
Isabers sigh was replete with adu-
lation.
1T isn't finished YETI Marion went
on, but I'll read what I've written.
She cleared her throat majestically
and began:
"'Once upon time there was a lit
tie boy and his mother made him q
blue cap to wear"
Isabel gave ,chirp, delighted ia
find something familiar in this high
pressure, artistic atmosphere. Jus,
like Red Riding Hood" she squealed
Marion frowned mo, 1t amt
bit like Red Riding Hood" she said
severely. Red Riding Hood was
girl and she had a red hood, and thli
is boy and he has blue cap, and
If you interrupt, Isabel. I won't read
4 you another word"
Isabel dropped her pretty head, dis
heartened by her failure properly e
appreciate the intellectual feast
"Oh," she said. dismally. Il didn't
mean to make you mad, Marion"
I'm not mad" returned Marion
magnanimously. But when l get t.
thinking 1t makes me nervous II PEG
pie talk to me. Well, I'll read you
the rest: One day this little boys
mother gave him little box and \
had in it some cookies and some
candy and some bananas You see
Is'bel, 1t isn't really a bit like Red
Riding Hood, because she had
basket with pats of butter In 1t
Then his mother said to the little
boy. Nov you take this box to you
Uncle Jack, who lives all by himself
in the woods, and you give 1t to him
and give him my love-" So the little
boy when he came to the cottage II
the woods went up and knocked q,
the door,"
II should think he wouldn't a had
to knock at the door when 1t was his
own uncle" In her interest Isabel
/ forgot instructions and, unsolicited
assumed the thankless role OF critic
for which she was promptly rebukeo
by whitening glance.
! "He went up and knocked at the
door" resumed Marion. disdainine
to call attention by words to this
LAPSE on, IsabeIs part, because he
was a polite little boy and always
knocked at the door, whether people
were his own uncle or not. And SC
he went inside and there were three
chairs sitting in the parlor
Isabel, carried away with excite
ment, forgot all caution and clappet
her hands delightedly ITS the Three
Bears!" she cried joyously.
1 In an instant her happiness wa'
dispelled. Marion very deliberatel,
laid the papers down on her lap
smoothed them out and then returned
them to the box.
you're not very polite" she salt
In a well modulated voice, when yo'
tell people their stories are like othe'
stories. when they're note bit. espe
cially when people have asked 70,
not to talk while they're reading Y
i you; so l guess ! won't read to yo'
any more"
After moments silence gentle
little sob made her look up In tim'
to see big tear roll down Isabel
peachy cheek. Marion leaned owe
and gave her forgiving pat.
Don't cry, 1s'bel," she cooed. "Yo'
know you can't help being stupid
And, BESIDES" she added, generous
ly. there isn't any more now. any
way. didn't have the right kind Q