Kristy's Rainy Day Picnic

Aunt Betty, where they had been invited to dine. They were eager and excited, for there was somet

wonder who

t?" aske

you?" said Jenny, in surprise. "Aunt Betty d

what you mea

" put i

es old Sam, and she's made up her mind-mamma says-to take one of us three and give her all the advantages she can while she lives, and leave h

d; why should she leave everything t

ving up so much," said Jenny.

"But think of the advantages! I'd have all the music lessons I w

ing out much; for my part I'd coax her to travel; I'd love to go

u choose, Ruth

unders. It seems as if I was bound to break something or knock over something, or do something she particularly dislikes every time I go there. You know the last time I

unlucky, Ruth," said Jenny magnanimously, "a

the pretty cottage where Aunt Betty lived. "Now for it! Put on your best m

do it," said Ruth sa

leased with the thought that the

r desires. Aunt Betty had always been ready to help them out of any difficulty; to give a new dress or a new hat when need became imperative, or a little journey when school work had tired them. So she had come to be

he called her, since she was a young woman, and was devoted to

you-all," he said; "you're to t

" asked Grace, who liked a mirror and a brus

am, "y'r aunt said fur y

lf of the importance of the occasion, she called up her usual smile,

ane, she was bright and cheery-looking. She was dressed in her usual thick black satin gown and lace mitts, with

served!" were passed by Aunt Betty in asking about the three families of her guests, and soon all were seated at the pretty round table, set out with the very best o

tty, "this is a special occasio

use," said Grace warmly. "I don't

gerly; "I do love to eat off dainty

t Betty, "Sam d

ever have a table like this in our house-but then we have

ything. Auntie, you ought to have set me in a corner by mysel

xious look, "I hope you'll be on your good behav

Ruth anxiously, "and t

nd then began picking at the food daintily with her fork, but not eating. Grace raised her napkin to her lips, and surreptitiously removed from her mouth the morsel she ha

ent, seeing that they were toying with the food on their pla

ardon, aunt," said Jenny, in apparent confusion, "but I must confess to having had some

Ruth?" ask

hesit

nt Betty went on; "you know I

orry, Aunt Betty"-But Ruth, while a deep blush rose to her honest face, said in a low tone,

amazement, expecting some burst

look stole over her face, "Then we'll have

face shining, and a grin he could not w

d in Sam's superb way, which no one in the village could equal. This was all right, and receiv

t of joint. Aunt Betty noticed that her young guests did not show their usual fondness for this dish. Again she a

much," said Gra

me shiver," said Jenny,

" asked Aunt Betty, with

barrassed was she at being obliged to say what she was sure would be a mortal offense, that in her

ie, you'll never forgive me! I don't know what

makes you awkward. Never mind the glass," as Ruth was picking up the pieces, tears rolling d

ch grieved, and her cousins exchanged a look which

t, but she soon made the move to leave the table,

ed themselves, "did you wonder why I had

, "for we have always gone into the bedr

any difference,

ing to the bedroom," said Aunt Betty

y could remember, were light-tinted walls, hard wood floors, with several rugs, a modern light set of furniture, pictures on the walls, lace curtains at the windows, all the latest style

ovely!" cr

!" put in Grace. "Auntie,

till her glance fell upon the

it? Could you sugge

y, while not to be outdone by Grace, Jenny added

but she stammered, "I seem to be the only one to find fault

Aunt Betty,

a white spread instead of that gay one? Th

ain. "Take it off, t

re under it was a dainty lace one a

y, "though Jenny and Grace seem to like it

truthfulness to please her, began to suspect that there was more in it than they had thought

take one of you to live with me-provided you and your parents are willing, of course. I shall ask a good deal of the one I select, but I shall try to make it up to her. I shall formally adopt her as my own, and,

eathless with attention

rtial seclusion from society, and of devotion to her old auntie, and then freedom, with the consciousnes

word was spoken-and i

irtue I prize almost above all others, is-truthfulness, honest, outspoken truth. The bad fish, the salted cream, and the odious spread were tests, and only one of

; not a wo

ing, and utterly amazed girl, "Ruth, will you come to live w

msy and awkward as I am! I nev

f truthfulness is far more valuable to me than the defte

urying her face in Aunt Betty's lap, while happy tears fe

home, "I always knew Aunt Betty was the crankiest woman in the world,

, and Grac

ble of putting on; besides, we always kne

isty was about to speak.

the rain because she was all alone in her house and was lonely, and seeing Mrs

isturbed. "Mrs. Wilson," she began, "don't y

inly," said

y!" said her m

"if she doesn't think you ought to go on telling me stories, when you promi

ted, I'm sure. Your mother must be a master hand at the bus

Mrs. Crawford. "Kristy, I think y

sked Mrs. Wilson. "I happen to be much interested j

"I can get mamma to keep

st taking her sewing out of

we see on the cars,

s see girls in the yard

tell you ho

re comfortably on the lou