Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-05-06

her nose. But the grey eyes remain
| ed wide open and, under the faded
quilt, her little ears were listening
ntently.
came the expected summons:
| ''Ruhannah!"
"Oh, please, mother
It's after seven-"
II know; I'll be ready in time
It's after seven, Rue!"
I'm so cold, mother, dear"
II closed your window. You may
battle and dress down here"
"B-r-r-r! l can see my own breath
when / breathe!' .
Come down and dress@by the kitch-
en- ranger repeated her mother. tive
warm water all ready for you."y
The brasSy light behind the trees
was becoming golden; slim blush
shadows already stretched from the
base of every tree across frozen fields
busted with snow.
AS usual the lank black cat came
walking into the room, its mysterious
crystal-green eyes brilliant in the
glowing light.
Listening, the child heard her IA
Their moving heavily about in the ad-
joining room.
Then, from below again:
"Ruhannah!"
I'm going to get, up, mother,
Rue! Obey me"'
"I'm up! I'm on. my way" She
sprang out amid a tempest Of bed
clothes, hoped gingerly across the
chilly carpet, seized her garments in
one hand, comb and toothbrush in
the other, ran into the hallway and
battered downstairs.
The cat followed leisurely, tWitch.
ing a coal-black tail.
Mother, could L have my break
fast first? I'm so hungry
Her mother turned from the range
and kissed her as she huddled close
warmed her bare feet delightfully."-.
She sighed with satisfaction, looked
wistfully at the coffeepot simmer
ing, shifted at the BISCUITS and siz-
zling ham.
Gould 1 have one little taste be-
fore Il
Come, dear. There's the basin.
Battle quickly, now"
Ruhannah frowned and cast trag-
ic glance upon the tin Washtub on
the kitchen floor. Presently she stole
over. tested the water with her
cold, dropped the night-dress from
her frail shoulders and stepped into
the tub with a pcrfunctory Sh:rer--a
thin, overgroWn child of fifteen, with
pipestem limbs and every rib anatom-
icaly apparent.
Her hair, which had been cropped
to shoulder length. seemed to turn
from chestnut to bronze fire, gleam
ing and cracking under the comb
which she hastily passed through it
before twisting it up.
"Quickly but thoroughly" said her
mother. Hasten Rue"
Ruhannah seized soap and sponge,
Gasped, shut her grey eyes tightly
and fell to scrubbing with the fury
of despair.
Don't splash, dear"
Did you warm my towel, mother "
-blindly stretching out one thin and
dripping arm.
her mother wrapped her in a big
crash towel from head to foot.
Later, pulling on stockings and
shoes by the range. she managed to
achieve a buttered biscuit at the same
time, and was already betraying fur
Their designs upon another one when
her mother sent her to set the table
in the sitting room.
Thither sauntered Ruhannah, part
ly dressed, still dressing.
By the nickel-trimmed stove she
completed her toilet, then hastily laid
the breakfast cloth and arranged the
china and plated tableware, and fill
cd the water pitcher.
Her father came in on his crutches;
she hurried from the table, syrup
jug in one hand, cruet in the other.
and lifted her face to be, kissed; then
she brought hot plates, coffeepot and
platters, and seated herself at the
table where her father and mother
were waiting in silence.
ITO Re ContinUed)