Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-03
Observation-Disclosures
Ben Enleriains
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

when she saw him assisting a young
wman from the train.
why, Lucille, this is a surprise" she
sud
Dear Miss Belinda met your Big
BIN yesterday. and when he told me
he was coming out here today | simply
couldn't resist the idea Of having Il
quiet little visit with you in this lovely
autumn weather. do hope you're glad
h brought me along"
"Of course | am replied Miss Be
linda, graciously. you may find us
Glll. though, as all the summer colony
has left, and I'm wildly busy working
for the Red Cross bazaar that our vii
hge auxiliary is giving at our house
DmoTrow"
I'm intensely interested in Red
Gross work You'll let me help you.
won't YOU"
Thank you, there may be something
you can do. Lucille"
Belinda. you know you always find
/ job for willing workers"
Yes. that's So laughed Miss Belin-
Ia.
After they had arrived at Hilltop and
the unexpected guest had changed in.
to a white jersey sports suit, she came
into the library and asked what she
could do for the bazaar. She wished
TO begin work at once.
How would you like to have me
gather autumn leaves for dccora.
tions?' she asked.
Just the thing. I'll call Ben to go
with you il you'll excuse me n mo
ment." Miss Belinda left the room and
invaded her brothers attic sanctuary,
known as Ben's sky par!or.
This Is bully article on my par
ticular branch of national defense. Be.
linda" he explained. Il was waiting
all the way out from the city for
chance TO read it,"
Sorry TO interrupt YOU but now YOU
are going for autumn leaves, Ben. Lu.
ellie wishes to gather some to decor
ate with, and, of course, you must 20
with her"
Hang it all. I'm not keen on shin.
ming up naples this afternoon"
But you brought her out here, Ben"
"Well. what If did thought you'd
be glad to-"
Yes, I'm always glad to entertain
your friends, but without wishing I'M
duly to hatter you, Mother dear.
think the young lady finds you much
more entertaining that she does ne"
"Oh. CANNON! Well. / suppose I'll
have to go into the woods. You see
sis, it seemed really pathetic when In.
Gle told me she had been shut up in
the city nearly all summer and that
she loves ,the country at this season
particularly, so / just"
."Yes, know. Ben. She has remark.
ably wistful c2es, and | never saw a
prettief shade of al burn hair, | quite
understand, dear, lat I'm very busy
Ben. and you must do The honors"
Miss Belinda retired from the sky par.
lor without waiting to hear a mum
bled remark in regard to the fact that
a man is always the goat.
Don't be late 10 dinner, children"
she called after Ben,a Lucille as they
started out with Ratchet and basket,
THE bazaar committee is dining with
us tonight to make final arrange.
ments.'
Notwithstanding the injunction it
was a half hour after dinner time
when the leave gatherers returned
Il wouldn't let Ben come in until We
had finished all these wreaths Aren't
they charming? The days are getting
so short that we could hardly see to
make the last ones, but | was bou !
to have something beautiful 10 wear
at your bazaar tomorrow, How do you
like me?'
She whirled about in the freight
and Miss Belinda, knowing fun well
that her rather eXtravagant bocfstcak
and fresh vegetables were surely dry
ing up in the warming oven. was
forced to admit that she was bewitch-
ing. and she was just little glad that
Ben had gone right to his own room to
prepare for dinner.
Have you any fancy sealing wax"
asked Lucille of Ben in the evening
when Miss Belinda and the Red Cross
workers had closeted themselves in
the sewing room. Il can make some
darling little pins. If you have, to sell
at the bazaar"
Here are several colors in Beinda's
desk; will they do?"
Perfectly. Now light candle and
I'll get some steel pins have and I'll
soon have some very pretty products
to show Miss Belinda
As it turned out Miss Bclinda's adj |
miration of the pins was tempered !
with regret for the Oriental rug on
which Lucille had literally sprinkled
large drops of sealing wax That
young lady assured her that the dry
cleaner could take it off, AID she told |
her that she thought she ought always |
to send all the rugs TO the cleaners
before closing the house for the win
ter.
Thank you, Lucille, for the good
suggestion" said Miss Belinda, grave. /
ly. Now you must be tired after all ,
your strenuous efforts in behalf Of the
bazaar, so III see that you're comfy in |
your room"
When his sister returned to the Ii
brary Ben ross and made her cere-
bow. belinda" he said, |
n L