Five Little Peppers Grown Up

first to reach

e. There was no answer, and after one or two inef

, as Polly came running up the stairs. Then she sat down on the

ere with Charlotte. I'll try," and she laid a quick hand on the knob. "Oh, Cha

heeks, and her pale blue eyes snapped. But when she saw Poll

nything in here with

rom her stair, to peer

raging up

arlotte; "I was the w

" breathed

" exclai

otte's, "it was just beautiful when you sang; I thought it was bi

ed Charlotte, loo

ly quickly. "Really you must, else I am af

dinner," said Char

," said Polly firmly, holding o

wn just a very little, please. There, that's it," patting Charlotte's head

e, they are coming after us," as quick footsteps sounded in the h

inner, when a note was h

consult you in regard to asking Miss Chatterton to sing at

IA A.

t for Polly's pleasure, when Polly had cried, "How nic

er success in drawing Charlotte out. And then he thought no more about it, and the b

everybody who wasn't, wanted the same thing because it was so talked about. So she was asked to sing at musicales and receptions wi

ter, and said to herself, "I would better do it now, I think," and going

ld gentleman, "come in!

in please

in and shutting the door carefully, "I

his writing table, he held out his hand. "Now, then, Phronsie, you are

ver be too big for that," so she perched up as of old on his

he old gentleman presently, "you've

it is most important too, Grandpapa, and oh, I do wish i

," said Mr. King, quite as a matter of course. "But first,

denly, "how much money did Mrs.

t makes you ask such a question? Oh, she left you everythin

looking intently at him, "isn

't rich, but Charlotte, I think, may do very well, especially as I intend to keep h

sie, "wasn't Mrs. Chatt

ted Mr. King. "But what of that, child, pray?

d Phronsie slowly, "it seems as if Charlotte ought t

did choose to leave it to you. So there's an end of it, Phronsie. I didn't want you to have it, but the th

be Mrs. Chatterton is sorry now, and wishes that she had left some money to C

augh, "and I shouldn't wonder if Cousin Eunice

money?" Phronsie's red lips were very close to his ear now, "o

three turns up and down the room. Phronsie stood a moment quite still wh

so much for a little girl like me. It would b

ew more turns. Then she spoke again. "Does it make you sorry, Grandpapa de

I don't know what to say. I don't feel that it woul

r brown eyes very wide. "Why, isn't

ge of such things," said the old gentleman decided

e, in gentle reproach, and standin

aid Mr. King, "and I can't say but what you'd have reason if I

y into his arms, her face working hard in her efforts not to cry. But it was no use, and Mr. King ca

ronsie. You may do anything you like, dear. There," mopping up her wet little face with his handkerchief, "now that's a good child; Phronsie, you are not goi

sie, and it looked as if the s

ndpapa does just about right," said Mr

s right," said Phron

oved, "I wish I could say I believed what you say.

orror, "they couldn't have been better. Don't, Grandpa

l this that you and I have talked over, and I'll let you know by and by what you ought to do about it, and you mu

nsie obediently, and patting hi

ied, "why, Charlotte is having pretty good t

imes," said Phronsie happily, "oh, ve

nuisance," the old gent

Phronsie, breaking away fro

rrecting himself. "But, well, now, Phronsie, you run back to your p

up her lips for a kiss. "You are sure you won't make your h

sie," said old Mr. King,

*

is private office with a nervous hand. "It is time I had

t would be the use, you never see anything encouraging abo

s cheek. "There, there, my sister's boy shall never say that. But come in, come

to a chair. "Well, what is it, Uncle? Do out with it

to the mantel to lean one elbow on it, a favorite attitude of his, while he scanned

is knee with one glove, and turning apprehensively in hi

ering's voice and manner, "and I cannot wait any longer to find out the trouble. It's my right, Pickering; you have no father to

"I'M NOT GOING

ual to the strain my relatives put upon me. Not worth it, either," he added, relapsing into his gloom. Then h

the mantel a step or two. But when he was there, he felt s

g," he resumed, "why y

hrough c

nder," interpo

gh," and he heaved a sigh of relief, "and nicely established with Van Metre and Cartwright. It's the best law firm in the town, Picke

e done everything that's good. Only I repeat I'

r and its restless occupant, "don't say that again. It's enough to make a man

eyes, and throwing open his top-coat as if the weight oppressed him. "I've been

kering," taking off his eyeglasses to blow his nose, "you needn't pick me up so violently. I've been much worried abo

Pickering shortly; "the troub

hat my sister or I should be ashamed of," and he picked up courage to step forward gingerly and pa

y beneath his uncle's han