Princess Polly's Gay Winter

dewalk on the way to Aunt Judith's cottage. Her

g automobile that afternoon, and they were to

her?" Ros

ou see her," was

en?" she asked, her fac

no," Uncle

inued, "because I'd like you to recogniz

with Aunt Judith," she said a

he window saw her coming,

our to see you push open the

d, "for look! I said I'd come over here a

cause I wanted to see you the moment you came in sight. Now take off your thing

ed. What little

se this morning. A very great surprise, a

ays doing something ni

o

tle while, and in his pleasant way he questioned me, trying to learn if I was feeling prosperous. I didn't like to tell him, but he made me, and Rose, my cellar is stocked with all the wood and c

! Do you wonder

l, for with the idea that he hadn't done enough, this morning w

n, who says I'm to work for you until you get tired

gaged to do my work for me, I couldn't speak for a moment,

oom, while the work in the kitchen is being don

t Judith, "we'll ta

my little stool. There! Now I'

nd a whole piece up in my store room the other day, and its gay flowered pattern looked very like the curtains in the home I so well remember. There are fine old hand-made rugs in

ok bright and pretty o

Rose. "Where did you get the

light. We'll play old-fashioned games, we'll have an old-fashioned treat, and we'll wear real old-time costumes. It will not be a gr

curtains, and Rose pulled out the bastings, threaded needles, and in m

I could come again Monday

e maid, I have more time for myself, and she said she would be pleased to help me de

, "and the boys and girls will like the n

room, and see what I le

then come out here, a

th s

he laughed gaily as she ran t

hosen for her. She quickly removed her own dress, and soon she was looking at her reflec

had been trying on the quaint dress t

ch with Uncle John, she said "goodbye," and ran down the path, her mind filled with thoughts of the promised party, and of the de

obile, they rode in a different direction from any that Rose had ever travelled over, and she looked up at Uncl

rm of the trunk and branches that they were not the trees usually seen at Avondale. The house, a stately homestead, stood well back from the street, and the porch, with its colonial

as a vision, entered, offered her hand to Captain Atherton, and then tur

is Rose? Little

ndmere, and I wish you two to be the best of friends. Tell me, do

he is the lovely lady in the l

, as you have seen me before coming here, don't look upo

eet voice, and Rose took the

e would love you, you are so sweet, so bright to look at," Rose s

* *

ovely," sighed Rose, when they were once more in the automobile. "See how

with me to the beautiful old house, to see the beautiful girl who lives

* *

lew through the neighborhood, and many were

her curly head, and

al old-time costumes, but that is all I will tell you, because Aunt Judith wishes it to seem quaint,

ose, not even to me,"

!" crie

for us children, we ought to let her

as being said. He was full of mischief, and of

ke a party fer 'em!"

the event had walked together down the street. Polly and Sprite had lagged behind to ta

humming as she walked along, when

down the street.

who called me

answered

did?" que

r closely. "I axed yer is she

t she is generous and kind to give us any party at all, and oh, Gyp!

wrig

he hated me

ry, but she likes boys. I've h

y. I'm a Gypsy boy

and I know it would please her if you s

t the thing

costs. He sprang from the low wall, and rushed o

of fine shellbarks that he had gathered and hoarded. Two days before the party was to occur he obtained

aking to the back door of the cottage, he dropped the bag on the up

en the big bag, but finally, gathering cour

he floor. She picked it up, and for a

hem nutts is 4 yor party coss I want yer ter no I meen

yp

when at last she had made sense

nscience! Indeed he shall be my friend if that will keep him

m, so that there is nothing to tempt him to

to me, and really that fearfully spelled note has a bit of sincerity in it.

clock, read it, and replace it. She looked from the window w

what had prompted him to write his friendly little note. Its outrageous spelling was droll, but its kindly spirit

f hour, and he considered it a fine specim

etter, and he felt that in writing it, he