The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-09-09

Within the next tWenty-f0ur hours
all of Carlotta's friends had heard
about her western trip. She did moi
trouble them with the condition In.
deed, she seldom thought of it her,
self. But before Aunt Margaret LETT,
she called the family into council and
made the 'if' so emphatic that car
lotta began to realize that it must be
reckoned with.
Aunt Margaret had looked over
Carlotta's wardrobe and made out a
list Of things for her to take. There
was also a short list Of necessary ptl1-
chases. She gave this into Carlotta's
hands.
Il want you to buy these things
yourself, Carlotta," she said. And
/ do not wish the others even to re-
mind %ou Of what you have to do"
"They went need to" Carlotta
laughed. 4 shan't Ge able to think
Of anything Csc.
But in spite Of her happy anticipa-
TONS the last week Of school furnish
ed considerable food for thought. And
after school ended Carlottas friends
showed their friendliness by shower
ing her with invitations. Not till the.
afternoon of the> 18th did she get
down town to make the necessary, pllr,.
cfases. And then she was in a hurry.
She made her selections hastily, or
dered the purchases sent out, and
then went ont to Lylias, where she
was to take dinner
1t was nearly bedtime when Carlot-
ia reached home.
Where are the packages from
Eastmen's?" she asked eagerly.
Her mother looked up from her
sewing.
q haven't seen anything from East
mems"
why, they promised to deliver
them today. isn't that provoking?
Matte, you'll have to go downtown
right after breakfast-"
Her sister lowered her book.
'I'm afraid can't, Carlotta. That
wouldn't be playing fair with Aunt
Margaret" --..
Carlotta colored.
"Why, I didn't think. I'll Just get
what l need in Chicago. Eastmen will
have to take those back because, they
were not delivered when they prom
ised."
She went upstairs to do her pack
ing. It seemed very odd to be doing
it herself. AS rule when she went
anywhere, her mother and Matte
packed between them and she had
no responsibility about it. Midnight
came before she had quite completed
her task, and she resolved to go to
bed and finish it in the morning.
She meant, to rise q little earlier
than usual, but She had been so late
getting to bed that she slept a little
beyond the hour. When she hurried
down to breakfast in her kfmono, her
mother and Matte were dressed for
the street.
Yes, we're going out" Matte said.
wen be at the station at train time"
As a matter Of fact, they had plan
ned certain errands because they felt
it would be mare than they could boar
TO have CaTIptta appealing to them
for aid and be obliged to refuse
Carlott2 made short work of break
fast. She kissed her father and Bob
goodby and rushed upstairs 70 finish
hacking. Three times she locked the
trunk only to recall some necessary
article that she had forgotten. And
then, as she turned the key for the
fourth time, she remembered that she
had not ordered the expressman to
call for her trunk. She rushed 10 the
phone, but:the expressman was out.
His men were in that part of town
at 7 O'Clock. They would not be
around again until noon.
"But I'm going to take an II o'clock
train Carlotta almost sobbed
The expression relented. In that
case he would try to send man by
10 O'clock
1t seemed to CarIotta she would
never get dressed. She was accus-
toned to having someone at hand to
find her hairpins or bring her comb,
or button up ner shoes. It was terri
BILE to have to do everything for her
self. The eXpressman came at 10
o'clock, but even after the trunk was
gene she found she had number Of
things to do. And when she reached
the corner and hailed the street car,
she suddenly realized that she had left
her purse lying on the bed.
When at length she reached the
station Matte stood waiting for her.
Where's nother?" painted Carlotta,
hurrying up. I've got to check my
trunk, after I've bought my ticket"
Matte looked at her queerly. Car
lotta's eyes went to the clock. She
took a step backward.
Its been gone two minutes" said
Matte, WiDing her eyes. "Carlotta,
dear, I'm SO sorry"
Carlotta recovered.
'I'll just go on to Chicago she ex-
claimed. 'And meet Aunt Margaret
there. She couldn't mean
She stopped for Matte handed her
a letter. Aunt Margaret left this
tc give to you in case-in case any,
thing went wrong
Carlotta broke the seal without a |
word. This is what she read:
My Dear Carlotta-If you meet |
me at the Junction as planned, you
will ,,ovyor COO tb;c 1o4+c,. I,,-4 41....