Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-31
CHAPTER <.

CHAPTER x.
The crisis was precipitated by Shir-
ley's finding her mother crying when
she came up softly to see her.
Now. little mother, dear! What
can be the matter? 2" she cried aghast,
sitting down on the bed and drawing
But it was some time before Mrs.
HOLSTER could recover her calmness.
and Shirley began to be frightened.
At last, when she had kissed and pet
ted her. she called down to the others
to come upstairs quickly.
f They came with all haste. George
and Harley with dishtowels over
their shoulders, Carol with her
arithmetic and pencil, little Doris
trudging up breathless, one step at a
whats the matter?"
why. here's our blessed little
mother lying here all by herself. cry
ing because she doesn't know where
in the world we can find a house!"
cried Shirley; land I think it's time
We told our beautiful secret, don't
you?"
"Yes,' chorused the children, al
though Harley and Doris had no idea
until then that there was any beau
tiful secret. Beautiful secrets hadn't
been coming their way.
said Shirley, looking at George and
Carol questioningly. Don't you?
We don't wan mother worrying" So
they all clustered around her on the
bed and the floor, and sat ex-
pectantly while Shirley told.
you see, mother. it's this way.
We've been looking around a good
deal lately, George and I. and we
haven't found a thing in the city that
would do; SO n day I took a trolley
ride out Of the city. and I've found
something I think will do nicely for
the summer, anyway, and that will
eide. Mother dear, would you mind
camping SO very much If we made
you a nice, comfortable place."
"Camping!" said Mrs. Hollister in
dismay. Dear child! In a tent?"
mo, mother, net in a tent. There's
a-a-sort Of a house-that is, there's
a building, where we could sleep. and
put our furniture, and all; but there's
a lovely out-of-doors. Wouldn't you
like that, for Doris and your
"oh. yes" sighed the Door wom-
an: I'D like it,; but, child. you
haven't an idea what you are talking
~ paw al SAS SOuAly
costs terribly, eve a shanty-"
That's it, mother, call it a shanty!
put in Carol. Mother. would you
object to living in a shanty all sum-
mer If it was good and clean, and YOU
had plenty Of out-of-doors around
it?"
mo, of course not. Carol, II it was
perfectly respectable. I shouldn't
want to take my children among a
lot of lowdown people"
"of curse not, mother!" put in
Shirley. "And there's nothing of that
sort. It's all perfectly respectable,
and the few neighbors are nice. re-
spectacle people. Now. mother, If
you're willing to trust us. we'd like it
IT you'll just let US leave it at that and
not tell you anything more about it
till we take you there. George and
Carol and I have all seen the place,
and we think it will he just the thing.
There's plenty of room, and sky, and
a big tree, and birds; and it only
costs ten dollars a month. Now,
mother, will you trust us for the rest
and not ask any questions?"
The mother looked in bewilderment
from n to another, and, seeing their
eager faces, she broke into a weary
smile.
We'll. I suppose I'll have to-" she
said with a sigh Of doubt; "but 1 cam
understand how any place YOU could
get would be only that price. and I'm
afraid you haven't thought Of a lot of
things" -.
Yes, mother. we've thought of
everything-and then some" said
Shirley, STOPPING down to kiss the
MIR cheek; but We are sure you are
going to like this when you see it. It
isn't a palace, of course. You don't
expect plate-glass windows, you
know" wv
We'll. hardly" SAID. Mrs. HOLSTER
dryly, struggling with herself to be
cheerful. She could see that her
children were making a brave effort
to make a jolly occasion QUA of their
necessity, and she was never n to
hang back: so, as she could do moth
ing else, she assented.
You are sure" she began, look
Ing at Shirley with troubled ewes,
There are SO many things to think
of, and you are SO young"
Trust me. mudder dearie." said
Shirley joyously, remembering the
freplace and the electric lights. "It
really isn't so bad: and there's a beau
tiful hill for Doris to run down. and
a place to hang a hammock for YOU
right under a big tree where a. bird
has built its nest"
"oh-h!" echoed the wondering
Doris. And could I see de birdie :"
Yes. darling. you can watch him
every day, mi see him fly through
the blue sky"
It's all right, mother" said George
in a b%usinesslike tone. "You'l thine
It's great after you get used to it.
Carol and I are crazy over it."
--
This most interesting story
VIII bo continued In