Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-07
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Wanted: An Ice Cream,
BY MYRTLE e. wHITTEMoRE

OF the mouse croCheting. 1t was the olst
of July, with the thermometer register
ing 81 degrees in the shade. No Won
DER Miss Charlotte was finding difficulty
IN concentrating her mind on her pat
tern.
"oh, how wish I had an ice cream"
she sighed. But it's Sadie's afternoon
on, and surely nobody else wants to 60
out in this terrible heat" Mechanically
she resumed her work.
A moment later, hearing the click
cIack or French heels on the stone pave
| ment. she stepped to the front window.
"Oh, Elisabeth" she called. Are you
| going down town.
Abruptly the trim young lady halted
smiled engagingly,
Yes. Miss Charlotte. Is there some
thing can do for you?"
The elderly lady beamed with pleas,
dainty lace-edged handkerchief.
some ' Ice cream rear y she f asked. "A small
box. you know, of the dry packed harle-
quin."
Elizabeth smiled her sweetest. "Ill
be glad to-" she said. "if you are not in
any hurry: I'm going over to Grace's
to tea and can't promise when I'll be
coming home"
Miss Charlotte's face fell, but she
bravely smiled. well. never mind dear
If you're not coming right back. But
do hate to telephone for them 20 send
10y up WIN SuCn n Small
Elizabeth repeated her offer, but II
was declined. So in all the ,vivacity and
gayety of her youth she skipped down
the street. while Miss Charlotte lazily
picked UP her cracheting
Three, open. two closed and three
open." she murmured to herself. but
her hook failed to keep pace with her
counting. Suddenly an idea. came to
her; Laying her work. in the basket
"I'll ask Mildred to bring It," she ex-
claimed az she reached for the phone.
give me 49," she called "Hello-Mlss
Corey? This Is Miss Charlotte. Would
| you do n little errand for me on your
way home from the bank? I'm simply
roasted up here on the hill and am dying
for an ice cream. Would you bring 1t
| up when you come. The last
| day of the month? Why so it is, Mil
dred I didn't think about your work.
| Thank you just the same. III get along
somehow"
Resgnedly she leaned back in her
| rocking chair.
-Four open, one closed and five chain
three times" she counted. Thus the
afternoon dragged wearily on. The heat
seemed to become more oppressive as
the sun travelled farther west and shot
| waverng beams into the room from be-
tween the motionless leaves on the trees
| Nobody was astir. Not bluebird sang
nor sparrow chirped. Even the dogs
seemed to prefer the shade OF their ken
began to lag and her head to nod.
| Suddenly she was reused from her
| rapping by n knock at the back door.
On the piazza stood little boy about
| nine years old. barefooted, his faded
blue blouse turned back at the neck and
his sleeves rolled up to the elbow. Per-
| spration had washed little roads down
his cheeks and several smudgHs could be
| plainly seen in his neck where soiled
hands had left their mark. But through
| the dirt he smiled.
| Want to buy some blueberries?" he
asked. They're high bush and just
| picked"
Miss Charlotte was not especially fond
| Of hlueberries, hut that hot afternoon
| she was very lonesome and her heart
! went out to the little chap who had
worked so hard trying to earn few
| pennies.
Wont you come in?" she asked kind
~. II can use q quart, l guess. How
| much are theY?"
| "Twenty-fVe."
You look dreadrllly hot" she con-
| tnued, as she brought a small dish.
| Did you have to go far for the ber-
ries?"
"eYs'm way down to Beaver Ponds S,s s
| where the best Ferries grow. Twas
some hot walking up to town, believe
| me"
Miss Charlotte went to the pantry
again and returned with a larger dish
DO you want to let me buy what ber-
ries you have" she asked, "and Ill have
Sadie put them UP tomorrow
would you like to do an errand for
M, down town." she he, asked,
Miss Charlotte counted out the change
| while she explained. II want some ice
cream. Go to Lanes and ask for pint
box Of dry-paCked harlequin. Can you
remember all thRt?'
Sure" again came the prompt reply
as h repeated the errand before start
| ing out the door.
Not five minutes later the doorbell
rang and to her amazement Miss Char
| lotte saw Elizabeth.
| 'Ive brought you the ice cream said
! the girl Il came home early as ] hated
to think Of you sitting here all alone"
"You dear child" said Miss Char
lotte You'll stay, of course. and help
me eat II, won't you" and she FASTENED
TO set the table with her pretty glass
dishes
Just as they had begun to eat, the
doorbcl rang again. Greatly amused
| by this time, Miss Charlotte ushered
| In Gertrude Corey carrying small box
In her hand
Mildred told me you wanted some ice
| You darliro"' nxclnimed Miss Char
're. Elizabeth has brought me some
! too. Won YOU come IN and Join us?
We've got lots more than we can eat"
SO Gertrude sat down to the table, de.
lighted to eat with her elders.
1t seemed only a moment later when
they were interrupted by knock at the
back door.
Charlotte excused herself Hes brought
! me some cream, too
She laughed as she confronted the
hoy with the package. well, my little
man, It looks as though you would have
to eat all that cream yourself, for /
have had two boxes brought me al
ready"
The chId's eyes grew as big as
saucers. "Honest?" he asked doubt.
fully.
"Of course. Come in and see" and
she opened the screen door. The boy
peeped into the dining room and was
satisfied.
Can I take 1t homo to ma?" was his
immediate .qquestion. 'She likes ice
cream, too"
You may do anything you like with
IT," Miss Charlotte smiled. II have all
want here"
I'M bring you some more berries to.
morrow" he said.
Goodness me, not before Saturday"
she called as she laughingly went back
to her guests,
Mondays complete novelette,, "For
- Her Birthday