Part 29 (1/2)
”A dove,” whispered Walter, just loud enough to be heard by every one, but softly enough to disguise the platitude
Cora laughed lightly Walter had a very taking way of saying things He see silly
The dinner over, the young people went to the porch Mary's letter was in Cora's belt, and the edge of the envelope, scratching her hand as she sat down re the contents Should she tell all the boys? Ed ought to know, that was her first thought Surely Jack ought to know of it, and, as for Walter--well, he ought to know also, for he had found the e some remark to Jack about the lost money Cora listened to see if it had any reference to what her brother had told her thatShe crushed the letter in her hands
”I've just had a note,” she began, ”from my friend Mary Downs”
”What I From the pretty runaway?” exclaimed Jack ”So that letter was fronize the hand”
”She did not run away, Jack,” objected his sister, and there was a warning note in her voice
”Oh, no, of course not But, anyway, she vas pretty Wasn't she, boys?”
”A hu a porch steamer chair for Cora
”Well, if you want to hear about the letter--” began the girl
”Hear about it? Why, ant to read it for ourselves!” cried Jack, and he tried to take it fro that she was being bested, threw it over Jack's head to Walter He grabbed it, and defied his chued Ed in his quiet way ”If there happens to be news froh she be quite contrary, pray let us hear it”
”That's what I say,” added Walter, handing Cora the uard, and if you interfere again--”
”Oh, go ahead I'll get it, anyway, later, when sis is asleep”
”No, you'll not!” declared his sister ”But this is the news,” she went on guardedly ”Mary inti about the erly
”Oh, every one is inti that,” declared Jack in some contempt
”Is that all? What ant is an intiood, eh, Ed?”
”Yes, I suppose so But what does Mary say?” and he looked sharply at Cora
”I think I had better read the letter,” she said, ”for, like all girls, or most of them, at least, she only hints at the most important statement”
”Go ahead,” ordered Jack ”I'll listen and close my eyes to call up a picture of pretty Mary She's pretty, she's witty, she's all a girl--”
He began to sing
Cora juot to keep--” she began
”I'll be good,” proently slipped his ar above Walter, put his are under her arm