The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-31

They rushed up to her. pinning her
down with loving arms,
oh. Cousin Jane, We know We
know. oh we're so glad. so glad. We
want to do something Can't we ?
Wei surprise them Won't it be apien-
did! Can't you help U.S.
'I'll try" said Cousin Jane Let
me think Don't speak to me now till
l open my eyes"
She shut them tightly as she spoke.
The expectant children waited silent
ly. At last the eyes opened
Do you remember those large
~lphabct letters that came in Cousin
Lees Christmas box?"
Yes. yes
Well. | have some lovely gold pa
per, and supposing you cut out the
etters for some words OF greeting.
like"
I'VE might have Welcome, Aunne
: Toe. +" said Rosa
Just the thing, Well you cut our
he letters. and will paste them on
some dark h.ce cambria. and wen ta.-k
II up over the mantel, where they can't
help seeing 1t. How will that fo.''
''Spiend.d'" cried Rosa "Oh
/ Cousin Jane. you are such COM
fort!'
| Cousin Jane went down stairs laugh
ing.
They've found IT out" said she to
her mother.
TIN glad OF H." said Aunt Maria.
They're going to surprise them
with p welcome in elegant gold let
ters," Jane went on II must go and
get the paper and she went
! That was a busy day for everybody.
! II was an undertaking for the children
to mark out each letter from tho pat
Il 49, -t,t = nAa fyxf ssrsf y
the little scissors which Cousin Jane
lent them But they worked with a
win, and at o'clock the Welcome.
Auntie joe looked down at them
from the parlor mantel.
They'll be here at g." said Cousin
lane. as they stood admirinr the re-
suit OF their Iahors THE train stops
for eight minutes at Reeds Crossing
George and ] are going out in the auto
this afternoon, What do you say TO
going with us as far as Reeds Gross
ing and meeting them? That will give
you ten minutes or so with them be-
fore they get here"
! Splendid" exclaimed Robert.
Elegant" cried Rosa.
The children danced UP and down
IL delight.
"Theyli be the surprised ones.
, Won't It be perfectly grand Oh
Cousin Jane, YOU are so nice'''
Then her little face sobered.
J. Cousin lane" said she, when you
so to live with George you won't find
any little step-children waiting for
, You. viii you?"
No" answered Jane Run away
now. Don't forget to be ready II
time"
Forget They laughed at the idea
So II happened that on hour or :,
later an auto whirled up ct Reed :
Crossing \ lady and two chiidrey
aIighted and stood waiting for the es
pected train. Soon 1. rumbled into
the station, and two pairs Of brig HI
: eyes spied lady's face AZ the win
dow.
There she is. and there's papa he
side her Hooray,'
/ Papa was just raging to his com,
panion, Wen soon be there, now
| I'm thinking how surprised the chill
dren will be
Il hope il will be q pleasant Sur
prise said the lady, half anyiously.
/, Papas answer was quite lost. for twr
little figures rushed down the aisle
toward them with outstretched arms
| utterly unmndful OF the smiling pas
sengers.
'Hu,lo, papa. ]Hullo, Auntie Joe
oh. we're So glad it's you, and nobody
else We don't mind il bit. II it:
you"
You little rascals,' said papa, he
tween hugs and kisses. How did yot
; know who 1t was?''
oh we found ont, +"
Yes. We found out. We surprised
| you this tinA, didn't wesa
''Y Oh certainly did" laughed papa
The train stopped at the home sta
zion. Many carriages were in wait
ing, but Auntie Joe said. This air 1;
! ss. delicious: after those hot ears
suppose We walk"
a happy little group made its Wa,