The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-09-27
THE HOLIDAY
BY HELEN M. PATTERSON.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
t, 1918. by the Mcclure Newsps
per Syndicate.)

Thursday is holiday" said pretty
occupied all the space of her small
bedroom. "Do stop your knitting.
Ruth, for a few minutes, and let US
plan what we will do. want to en-
Joy every minute Of the day."
"Of course we do" echoed dark-eyed
Minnie. "Some of the boys We know
will be home for the holiday. Won't
II be fun to have picnic party and
spend the day at the beach?
'But that isn't aything new" OBJ
jected Hazel. 81 spend most every Sun
day at the beach. Let us go into the
country"
"But this will be different, Hazel.
We will all take a lunch and picnic.
Then we can dance and swim and have
lots more fun than we could going out
into the country where you can only
gaze at COW and get bitten by mosqui-
toes. Besides, know the boys would
much rather spend the day where they
can dance and have some fun. Don't
you think so, Ruth?" Minnie asked Of
a vivaciOus, curly-haired girl, busily
working with knitting needles.
"If you will promise not to tell"
said Ruth, mischievously, 81 will i'm
part to you my plans. made them
last week."
"Well, it's like this" said Ruth. "Be-
ing tired Of the city, and all such
amusements, I decided to spend the
day In the country, looking at the
COW, that Minnie said would be there.
AS I don't like to spend the day alone,
l invited five very congenlal people to
go with me, so we are going to take
lunch, start early and spend the day In
the most delightful place that 1 know
Of"
There were looks of CONSERVATION and
amazement on all the girls faces. They
had always considered themselves
Ruth's particular friends, and now to
hear they had been sighted by their
favorite for more congenlal company
made them somewhat chagrined.
81 didn't mean to offend you girls"
! hastily went on Ruth, "and I'm sure
you won't be when 1 tell you my COM
pany will be Mrs. Morgan's five kid
let's"
Mrs. Morgan's five children! Are
you crazy, Ruth Sanborn, to spend your
holiday taking care of babies?" asked
Minnie.
"No, not quite crazy, Minnie" an
swered Ruth, laughing; shut, you see,
l knew Mrs. Morgan wanted very much
to see her youngest brother, who is at
Camp - so l just suggested to her
that she and hubby should motor to
the camp and / would take the chill
dren, including baby Robert, and spend
the day in the country. She was so
grateful that I wondered 1 hadn't
thought of it before"
The astonished girls watched Ruth
disappear through the open door, and
then, when the door was closed, voiced
their sentiments.
II don't know what ails her. She has
been rather moony ever since the
night she was rescued from the fire
by that young man, and she doesn't
even know his name or hasn't seen
him SINCE" commented Hazel.
II guess she is dreaming of finding
him some day." added Edith rather sar-
casticalIy.
Thursday dawned bright and clear,
a regular July day, and eight o'clock
found Ruth engaged in helping Mrs.
Morgan dress the children, who were
all excited at spending the day in the
country with "Aunt Ruth" rs they
called her.
The place Ruth had chosen for the
outing was all that she had described
to the girls. The day passed quickly,
and as soon as the long shadows began
to appear the six happy picnickers,
with the empty lunch basket, started
for home. When they were in sight Of
the Road Ruth was surprised to see
large automobile stop, evidently wait
ing for them.
The two older children hurried on
ahead, and Ruth soon heard their cries
of "Uncle Jack Uncle Jack !" and saw
them affectionately greeted by large
man in uniform. Her heart began to
beat uncomfOrtably fast. Where had
she seen him before? Instantly her
thoughts flew back six months to
burning building and to young man
who had found her lost and cropping
her way i'm the smoke, led her carefully
out and then, as soon as she was safe,
disappeared Like in dream she
heard little Mary say, "This is Uncle
Jack. He came back with mamma
and has come to take us home, Aunt
Ruth"
II suppose we are properly intro
duced" said Uncle Jack, smiling. and
then, as he took Ruth's proffered hand,
"My little girl of the fire." he ex-
claimed.
"And you are my knight, who disap-
peared so quickly didn't even thank
you" said Ruth.
81 had to-" replied Jack, ''but IL you
won't object I'll promise not to hurry
awov oOoino