Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29

We'll feed 'em If they drive In" declared Bill
heartily, and took another drink of water.
Again Betty seemed satisfied els your white
hens layin' good now?" she asked
"Oh, yes; brought in six eggs today" Dear
Heart told her.
Betty likes white hens" Janey informed
them. <@
They look pretty walking: gnerally they're
good layers" Betty explained her liking for
white hens.
While Ruth was crumbing the table and her
mother was cutting the pie, Betty got up, say
ing: will you excuse me just minute.
want to go upstairs and see If my little children
are up there. They ought to come down to
supper"
She trotted to the stairway and went MINI
bly, up, Bill calling after her that she'd better
finish her own supper first, hadn't she?
Il won't be gone a minute" she called back
"Oh,. does she really think her children are
up there" Dear Heart murmured, land her
mother? Does she think this is her house?"
Janey smiled. She'll come back after she,x
called EN-. Betty dreams sometimes don't
guess they're up there now, do your"
Dear Heart got up hastily and followed to
the stairway. There were three bedrooms
above, opening on the hail. and Betty went I'd
each door and looked in and called: Betty
little Betty-Mamie-Cha Three times.
Just the same She called softly and listened
after each Gala breathless. intent listening.
Il wish they'd come, SO we could play with
en-" Ruth whispered in Carolines ear
They can't really come. They're only .magi.
nations Caroline explained, whispering in re.
turn.
IT wish 'maginations came true" Ruth re.
piled
Janey was busy tying red-and-white candles
In the corner of her handkerchief and Dear
Heart ran out to the kitchen and hid her face
In the roller towel for as many as ten seconds.
The dear old thing doesn't see us hardly at
ALL" she thought. "She Just sees her mother
and her children. I wonder-oh I wonder
where those children are. Where are the chill
dren OF all the old grandmothers and grandA
fathers that live at the Poor Farm?"
Dear Heart. will you bring in some more bis.
cuitS?" Bill called
Betty came back downstairs "Thevre hidirs
from me-" she explained with little enbay
raised laugh. "They won't answer but they'll
soon get tired If leave EN- alone, and theyu
come down to their supper"
'Tum to suppa!" shouted Buddy. pound1nV
on the table with his spoon. and they All
laughed again, just as one does at a picture
show when the scene changes suddenly from
tragic to comic.
RY the time they were all through eating IT
was beginning to grow dark
My husband usually drives over to take ma
home, when I've been anywheres" Betty said.
with an anxious glance out at the dimminQ
road "Mebby we'd better start along, Janey,
ana he can pick US up part way"
Don't be In hurry; stay and visit while~
Dear Heart urged, and they were persuaded
with the guileleSS pleasure of children they
showed the rest of their little keepSakes.
All they've got left, but memories" Dear
Heart whispered to Bill.
Betty had a tea-caddy that was doubtless
very old, as her great-grandfather, who was a
onto IN l,aI
Janey mad small picture of herself treasured
from her girlhood. Her smile was there curv-
ing mischlevously, but it didn't cave in on the
upper lip, and the top of her head gave NO
evidence of badness
"You was some fapper," Bill complimented.
II I'd been around in them days. and Dear
Heart hadn't"
Janey blushed and smiled at Buddy VIM
found her fascinating, and was leaning against
her knees, looking up at her in q solemn eniov-
ment that amounted almost to rapture. 'Did
God forget your teeth?" he questioned. and
Janey giggled, showing her toothless gums the
palmer.
Presently Bill went out and brought his Liz
Ae round to the front, while Dear Heart but.
toned the slender Betty into her brocaded vel
vet basque and the square Janey into her cut
away coat and gave each a package of cook
les and some Jumps Of sugar to tie up with
her bundle
THE carriage is at the door," Bill announced.
and in a minute they were of, Dear Heart
watching the departure with a tear in her ewes
and smile on her lip, and the children shout
ing cheerful good-bys.
never rode in an easier carriage" Betty
said as the Lizzie bumped cheerfully along over
the Iairly smooth road. MY husband always
would keep good horses"
They do go NICE" Janey agreed, land the
seats easy too" -N VAC
They drew up to the door of the Poor Farm
at about o'clock, and Bill CALAMITY helped
tnem out and up the steps, Holding hands