Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30

with his hand on the knob and an ire
ststible appeal in the enhancing smile he
turned on aunties.
Little human question mark! Yes,
look In. If you wish to-
Freddie turned the knob softly and
peered in. For a moment he stood trans
slammed the door, rushed back, shrek
ing. to Miss Josephine, and chung to her
in panic. Miss Ernestine ran to give first
aid.
What is the matter with him, sister,"
is it? Tell auntie. Nothing shall hurt
him. Auntie will take care of him.
There, precious don't be 'fraid. Tell auntie.
Is there anything in the room. Ernestine,
that could have frightened him."
looked in.
"It couldn't have been the picture?'
She referred to a life-size painting Of
her maternal grandfather which fronted
the door. done in hirsute age, with ma
jestic impressiveness Of bushy white hair
and beard.
At the opening Of the door, Freddie
covered closer to Miss Josephine, gasp
ing:
Don't let him get me! I don't want
Gawd to get me! Will He come to get
me"
AT last murmured Miss Josephine
over her shoulder to her sister, while
she comforted the terrified infant In her
arms-"at last his dormant moral sense
seems to be reused"
You don't mean that he thinks grand
fathers portrait is-is-a-picture Of"
Exactly. What, do you think. has
been the nature of the religious 1nstruc-
ton Harrie has bestowed on him? Some
parents seem to employ a DOGGY man.
but Harrie-"
"Oh. hush. Be careful what you say
eyes, I will. but If we should need a
means of discipline. perhaps grandfather's
"Oh. hush! Somehow it sounds wrong.
We must divert the child's attention just
now. What can we give him?'
perhaps he would take a nap. I can
think Of nothing I should prefer to give
Freddie's fears. though allayed. seemed
to have had a Christening effect. for he
proved amenable to the suggestion of q
nap
a good plan for us to work upstairs on
the silk quilt 1t is SO nearly done we
can finish 1t before he will waken, and
should like to have it ready before Janet
Leslie's visit
puff was dainty thing to work on, and
the sisters became absorbed in 1t. dis
cussing what last touches the newly fur
nished yellow room needed to put IT In
perfect condition for Janet and future
guests.
Suddenly a strange sound fell on their
ears. Both sisters started guiltily, drop
ped their work, and rushed to the stairs,
Miss Ernestine exclaiming agitatedly:
lit cannot be that child! He cannot
11yoo I'D co IL 1,nc 1nt IN
ten minutes.
"Perhaps he was not asleep"
The sound came from the bathroom.
Miss Josephine pulled open the door. A
shower of Icy water struck her full in
the face. drenched her crisp. fresh frock,
poured into her slippers.
Freddie. Freddie" she gasped.
Through the binding flood she saw a
small. delighted figure. dripping from
head to feet. turning the rubber bath
spray hither and yon over the bathroom
and gurgling with Joy. No spot on the
floor was dry. the tub was filling. the
walls. the ceiling. the towels. the mir
ror. the bottle cabinet the electrolier. the
sash curtains. the shades. the hamper Of
soiled clothes--all were drenched. Again
the spray was pointed joyously in Miss
Josephine's direction. and again the show
err deluged her. before she could reach the
faucet. and heartlessly shut off her visit
or's source Of innocent gayety.
''Of course" said Miss Ernestine. gratu-
itously offering consolation. 'It is only
clean water 1t cannot really harm any
thing"
Miss Josephine was grim.
"Oh. Of course not, l prefer, however.
to direct my own bath. If any portion OF
the premises must be sprinkled should
choose the lawn. Please call Lena We
shall need help in getting dry
Only once tie following day did Freddie
succeed in making his escape from the
watchful sisters. Then they saw him
trudging harmlessly over the lawn to the
stable.
Little dear! He is sweet, Josephine.
and so bright-he can find his way all
over the place alone. Olson will take
care Of him for a while. and it certainly
is restful to have him out Of the house.
Do you remember. Josephine, when we
cleaned house last fall?"
And the Davidsons came to visit us
right in the midst Of it,
And We had the library papered. And
the Jersey COW was taken sick-I can
never forget how tired We WERE But 1t
seems a lotus dream compared with the
way I feel today"
Don't remind me Of It, l wish I could
forget it,
And put up our fruit at the same
time
And made four new quilts"
Suppose we go upstairs and lie down.
Freddie Is perfectly safe with Olsen. He
knows that he must watch the child
Miss Josephine even fell into a gentle
doze, but 1t was broken by a scream from
Lena. mingled with the crash Of falling
Lie still, dear. lie stil," commanded
Miss Ernestine. as her sister reused
YEARLY "Whateyer Il is I can take care