Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-17

get him here before dinner, coul
your" she asked eagerly.
| "Of course could. George Risle,
would take me over In his auto
There's plenty of time
And you wouldn't mind little turf
with George Risley," said grandmothe
mischievously, her face lighting a lit
tie.
Not bit"
Then do go. Go as fast as yo'
can"
Julia went to the telephone, ant
soon announced that the auto woult
be there in five minutes.
And what shall l say to Martini
she asked.
Say to him? Why, just bring hin
along"
II thought Julia insisted. &c
thought-that-if you had told him hi
shouldn't come, and then sent for him
he might think
IF he thinks his grandmother has
broken her word, can't help it. The
punishment doesn't fit You needn''
tell him anything, and don't wait to
change his clothes. Just bring him
Here's the auto all ready"
Julia skipped out, and grandma
watched the flying auto out of sight
Then she turned back to the children
She could enjoy them now, since Mar
tin was to be one Of them.
Martin was in the kitchen, with Mar.
garet. With his little rolling-pin and
cake cutter, he was shaping the bits
of gingerbread into fantastic forms.
His little face was sober, but his
tears were dried. He was working
busi'y, helping Margaret.
Suddenly the door opened, and
Cousin Julia stood there. Here you
are Martin" she cried. 1--WE been
looking all over the house for you.
Margaret is ever so good to let you
make cookies, but I shall have to take
you away now"
"Where?" Queried Martin.
"To Aunt Janey's. They're all there
and Paul and Bobby-and-'
81 can't co." said Martin, his lip
quivering "Grandmother doesn't want
me-"
Eyes, she does. She sent me for you.
Come on, deary. Let's wash our race
and hands. The auto Is waiting"
Waiting. Martin looked out. The
little auto was humping in most in
viting way, and George Risley sat smil-
ing in front. He forgot all about his
and the thought OF his
grandmother broken word troubled
him not one whit He bade good-by to
Margaret and the cookies. He flew up
stairs with Julia, who carefully
scrubbed his face and hands.
"Now, if we can find clean col
lar" said she.
Here's one," cried Martin, snatch
ing one from the drawer. "Put in on,
quick" - ...
STAND still, then" laughed Julia.
''1'd as lief try to dress an eel" And,
with some difficulty, she made the lit
tie boy presentable. Such little wrig-
Cling, flying bit of humanity!
"Good-by, Margaret" he called, I'm
going"
"And I'm glad" said Margaret,
heartily. It'll be dale better than
Pussin' wild cakes, or goin' to see poor
old Miss Carson. Now be good boy,
and" but the auto was gone.
What ride that was! The keen,
fresh air, the bright sunshine, and the
houses, flying by in quick succession.
As they neared Aunt Janey's, the door
flew open, and troop Of cousins ran
out to meet him.
Martin looked anxiously. Grand
mother Benson wasn't there. Oh, yes,
she was, at the window, and her face
was smiling. Martin rushed up the
steps and into her outstretched arms.
The dinner was perfect. Everything
was perfect Such merry, noisy games!
Such laughter and jollity! And none Of
the children could play harder or laugh
louder than Martin. When, near. the
close Of the day, flushed and happy,
he was hiding behind grandmother's
chair, she put out loving arm, and
drew him into her lap.
Aunt Jane came In soon. "Why, Mar
tim" said She Aren't you rather too
big a boy to be sitting in grandma's
|ap?"
81 took him up" said grandmother.
~ want him.
"Grandmother likes me- exclaimed
Martin.
$50 she does, Martin" emphatically.
"She likes me. and I like her. re-
peated Martin, proudly.
Eyes," answered Grandmother Ben.
son. 1--WE love each other"
And Martin answered "Yes.'