The Great Surprise.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XIII, 28 September 1901, Page 622

The Great Surprise.

(By Cousin Lois Thane, aged 9.) Once upon a time there lived in an old-fashioned house in London a rich merchant. He had a little girl and boy. One day Harold and Marjorie were sitting alone in the nursery, when their father came in and said to Marjorie, “Run and tell nurse to put on your hats,” for he had a great surprise for them. Well, off rushed Marjorie and burst into the room where nurse was lying down. Marjorie was a delicate child, and nurse was quite frightened to see the little flushed face usually so pale. “What is it, Marjorie?” cried nurse in a fright. “Oh, nothing,” said Marjorie, “only put on my hat. Father said he had a surprise for us.” “Oh,” said nurse, rather relieved at the change. As soon as she was dressed, in a scarlet dress and white pinafore. Marjorie ran into lhe nursery. She found Harold already gone, so she went down to the dining-room and found Harold and Mr. and Mrs. Duncan in a state of great excitement, for Harold was asking questions all the time. When Marjorie came in Harold set on to her. “Madge, what do you think it is?” “Oh, I guess it’s fowls.” “No; is is not fowls.” “Then I cannot guess.” Then Mrs. Duncan told them to come out in the garden. They all went out in the garden, and there in the drive stood a pretty little grey pony and a beautiful grey donkey, and on the pony was a lady’s saddle, and on the donkey was a gentleman’s saddle. The children cried for joy, and ran to thank their parents, and stood and looked with delight on them. Suddenly Harold said: “Mother, let us have a picnic in the woods.” “Yes, dears.” replied the mother, and I and your father will come afterwards.” Soon after this the children were riding through the woods on their new companions. You must know that the pony’s name was Clara, and the donkey’s was Ted. Harold. who was in front of Marjorie, suddenly looked round, and to his surprise he found that he was in the midst of unknown scenery, and Marjorie was not to be seen. Suddenly he heard a coo-ee from about a mile behind. and he coo-eed back, but there was no answer. He turned Teddie’s head, and galloped back. There, under the tree, he saw poor Marjorie crying as if her heart would break. When she heard his voice she started up and said, “Oh. Harold, I thought I was lost.” Then Harold told her to get on her pony, and they rode home, and the next thing they saw was father with a very white face, and mother lying unconscious on her bed. Harold was not allowed to ride alone again, or Marjorie, unless someone was with them. A few days after this their mother said they were going to the seaside for a trip, but it seemed such a long while till the holidays; but at last they came, and all was excitement. They packed the clothes that they wanted to take with them, and when it was 3 o’clock they started in the carriage for the station. They all got out and waited for the train, and when the train came the children clapped their hands, and at last they got in, and the carriage was hot and stuffy, but it was not very far. so they were soon there, and Marjorie had to go and lie down, for she had a headache. She had all the blinds pulled down, and Harold went and played on the beach till it was tea time, and after tea he went to bed, because he was tired after his journey. Marjorie woke up early,

and, getting dressed as fast as she could, she ran in to wake her brother, and found him still in bed. “Harold!” she called as loud as she could. But there was a grunt from the bed, and then she shook him till he woke up. and then she said to him: “Come on. Harold, and have some fun on the beach.” “All right,” said Harold. So Marjorie ran in to the dining-room, and waited for him, and at last he came, and they ran out together. The beach was a delightful place, and they all liked it better than Mulberry House, and they ran about together looking for shells and trying who could get the prettiest, and at last they were called in to breakfast. It was a lovely morning, and the birds were singing on the roofs. They had a very nice breakfast, and when they had finished they ran out again just as Marjorie was shutting the gate. Her eyes fell upon something glittering on the beach. “Oh, Harold!” she cried, “Look what I have found.” Harold came running towards her and said, “What have you found?” “A gold brooch. “How lovely, Madge.” Marjorie ran to her mother, and said, “Oh, mother, look what I have got.” “Oh!” said their mother. “I know whose it is—your aunt’s.”