Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-24
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE MAY BASKET
BY Geneva A, EIdredge

CCENT Of apple blossoms filed Gym
~ thia Smiths living room, clumsy
bee tumbled up and down the outside of
the screen door, and now and then a
swallow darted across the sunshine, his
blue wings glistening. Away down the
street sounded the rat tat Of a drum,
and Cynthia heard the pstter of chill
dren's feet running toward town
square. Still she sat tense and upright
in the old fashioned rocking chair her
mouth drawn in a straight hard line,
her eyes fixed upon the work in her
hands.
The screen door sQueaked on its spring
and round faced, brown eyed little
surprise when he saw her sitting there
so stiff, her work in her hands, and he
stammered little as he said, "Wh-
why. Aunt Cynth. amt you going to
meet the train and see the pparade?" 2"
Soft and quick came her answer.
mo. dear, not today"
but Aunt Cynth, they amt goin' to
be no more p parade days, an I got on
my white suit, an mother thought may
be you'd like to have a little boy what
was all spick and span to go wiv you"
And his little face grew wistful and
troubled. He had never seen an Aunt
Cynth like this before, so straight and
strange.
He meant to know before he left just
why she was staying home the day
every one else in town was going down
to welcome the boys from France. So
he crcpt up close and whispered. us it
cause Joe amt comm. Auntie?" Tears
sprang TO her. eyes as she gathered the
little spick and span boy close.
Yes. Teddie Boy, that's lust why
auntie isn't going. she can't bear it. -
Now Tcddie was sure he felt that
he ought to say something to help make
auntie happier. so he said as he stroked
her face with his fat little hand Never
mind. auntie, I've got a secret and
maybe tonight bout dark you'll know it
Maybe right fore supper. maybe right
after, anyway. Don't you come out
doors right that time, will you?''
And auntie promised to stay in the
mouse. Then hearing his mother call
ing he scampered away leaving Amt
Cynth alone with her thoughts. SLOWLY
she closed her eyes and in imagination
saw the town square filled with people,
the train pulling in filled with returning
soldiers, the happy greetings, and far
and faint she heard the band and tbe
cheering.
Inc hot tears trickled slowly down
her face as she whispered, And mine
reported missing: my boy. who was the
PRIDE OF my heart And then Teddie's
happy little face seemed to shine out
and she remembered what a comfort he
nad been all the weary months, land
now he is coming to hang me a Nav
basket, bless his dear little heart. and
must cheer up for his sake. I think
Will plan little surprise myself"
SO she went into her dining room and
set the pretty table, bringing in great
punches of apple blossoms to decorate
It withguntil the room looked like fairy
and in the pink and white dress. She
frosted little round cakes and made an
ced drink for the crystal glasses. and
almost before she knew it. twilight
.ame drifting down. The drums had
'eased their rat-tat and happy voices
allied to one another in the street. "It's
almost time for Teddie and his secret" ="
she thought as she patted her hair into
'lace. Then she heard steps tiptoeinr m
he boardwalk and child's ouick
breath. and she smiled the old
lime glad smile that she used to greet
he boy who was missing tonight when
ne came to hang May baskets at the
very same door.
When two fat fists pounded hard on
The screen door she waited only long
enough for a small boy to hide before
she opened the door, to find dainty
little basket. all fringed and festooned
and fairly bursting with candy kisses,
setting on the step.
"Why, how surprised am" she said.
'Who could have left this beautiful lit =
lie basket here? Surely it's a mistake
some little boy must have thought Susie
Grimes lived here"
Just then small boy in white wig
,led out from behind the SNOWFALL bush
md called breathlessly, "No, no, Aunt
Jynth. taint no stake. it's my secret.
md some more of it is hind the catalina
rec. You come see." But just then a
Shaki clad figure sprang out with wide
,pen arms, and then Ted's secret was
,ut.
"Oh, joe" cried Aunt Cynth as she
vept in his arms, s,'how you must have
:elt not to find me at the train to meet
you."
That's all right, mother; I dom t
blame you under the circumstances.
"When Ted told me his secret 1 |
thought I'd wait and surprise you.
"Some May basket all around, hey
Say, Ted, it looks like frosted cakes
md lemonade in the dining room let's
hurry for mess"
And as mother and son wiped the
ears of gladness from their eyes a
title voice shrilled out, "You won't
never cry no more on p-parade day, will
you, Aunt Cynth:"
The next complete noveIette-Moth-
sr's Day.