Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-25
ODUT. my dear young lady, I'm afraid

OpUT, my dear young lady, I'm AFRAID
- that your scheme will prove quite
impossible. AS I understand It, you
wish to build a houseboat or which you
will serve tea and fancy crackers for
the Red Cross"
Yves. and it's sure to be a success.
said Jane McLenan ardent.Y; Tor
everyone drinks tea, you know. NO"
please give me mothers money,
IT can't very we'll refuse. Mr.. Bren-
ton replied soberly: but IL you really
want to help win tho war, why not go
Into some organized work" ,.
81 would" Jane replied quickly, IT
wasn't SO sure that / could serve tea
and play a lot better than l cou'o ever
Tefold bandages."
MT. Brenton looked puzzled. Long
ago he had found that it was useless
20 argue with Jane. She was too CON
vincing. I'll see hat the money Is IN
your hands tomorrow" he said slowly.
you're a dear" she said.
alfred - she exclaimed as she nearly
bumped into a tall young man who came
running up the steps.
SAY, but you look happy What's
up ?" he questioned.
Your father has just consented to
Civ mothers money to build my house
boat with" she replied, smiling. as she
watched his eyes open wide in astonish-
ment.
what on earth do you want of a
houseboat, Jane? You must be crazy
he remarked.
TIN going to serve tea and crackers
on my boat for the Red Cross. I shall
call 1t the White Rabbit The tea room
will be stenciled with a white bunny
In the window and little gray chairs
and tables. I've got SO many ideas /
don't know what to do"
Gee! he whistled mot so bad. why
not I've a stage at one end and give
little entertainments while they are
eating?'
Lovely :" she said. And would you
sing for me once or twice."
''Sure :" he responded readily. Lets
see. You would have it built on Lake
Frances, wouldn't you?, Say, why
couldn't we run it together
Il thought you were going to enlist
she reminded him gravely.
Tried to today, but I couldn't get
in. 1t seems that there is some trouble
with my eyes, although I've never
noticed 1t much. It's no use they won't
take me in anywhere. So please let me
help to run the White Rabbit"
o course I'll let you," she smiled {;
"it's a shame about your eyes"
The building and planning Of the
White Rabbit went on with great enthu-
siasm. There was hardly a day when
the pair didn't visit the whaTves to
watch the progress Of the work. Alfred
insisted that he should have an equal
financial share in it, so Jane saw many
additions made which would never have
been possible upon her slender means.
A small stage was built at one end Of
the tea room and a very expensive piano
was selected. Little gray chairs and
tables with white stenciled cottontails
were purchased. and Jane was busy on
little gray silk curtains for the tiny
PANIED windows.
Al last, one day in the early summer,
the White Rabbit was launched on the
blue waters of Lake Frances, fame
stood on the little gray porch beside
Alfred and smiled. Just then fourteen
the door. Please, Miss Jane, the boys
have come with the stuff you ordered
The next night the White Rabbit an
chored befcSe a large summer hotel
gray chiffon dress, Alfred in evening
clothes, and Martha in a soft gray gown
and a stiff white apron, sat in the tea
room nervously waiting.
In five minutes the room was crowd
ed with fashionable folk. Martha, with
her eyes popping more than ever, hur-
ried about with dainty cups of tea and
tempting trays of sweets; Jane played
on the soft-toned piano. and Alfred
sang I'm his deep, clear voice. The So
: ciety ladies listened, smiled. and pro-
nounced everything so unique and out
OF the ordinary.
Two hours later Jane, tired, a little
ruffled. but happy, smiled up al Alfred
at was a success. wasn't it?" she
asked, almost breathlessly. They'll
\ come again?"
Nothing could keep 'em away" he
y answered. heartily. Nov | must skin
ashore and get some sleep. See you In
the morning"
SO the White Rabbit thrived and
bi.nked its pink eyes as only white
rabbit an. Many were the requests
10 visit more places and stay longer.
The White RABBIT had hoped for th'
last time that season and the last hoI
: had excelled them all in profits. II
n fact. II had proved to be the master-hoT
Of them all. Martha was sobbing IN
the corner, Jane was looking out tn
vindow and Alfred leaned over tn,
ere. They all loved the White Rabbi
more than they realized.
II suppose it's a good offer" ALFRED
1osrfui. almost $4,000. and next yea