Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-01-16

Yes, it must have been the apron that
made TIME SO irresrible that customers
hung around her vicinity, apparently
unconscious that just opposite a. black
eyed Rebeeca waited to draw lemonade,
from an unfailing spring for their delec-
| tation, or that Flora's tempt, lust be-
yond, was covered with attendant vestals
eager to supply button-hole bouquets at
ten cents apiece and pin them in with
out extra charge. 's*,@: 49, 7&.ssS.S *.'@
TIME was downcast at first, and telt
like a weed IN a garden bed when she
| saw the cold 'scorn In the eyes of those
who thought her pushing and forward.
they gave her little thought, however,
being busy talking of the expected
crowd that evening would bring.
There were strangers in town, stopping
while the yacht was beng repaired from
the shock Of a, collision: and the hope
that the gentlemen would seek to while
away the tedious hours by sauntering in
to the bazaar animateilthe gentle bosoms
OF the chatterers.
Even if the strangers came, TIME
thought, there would be but dim pros
| pect of their looking at the pondercus
volume she presided over; neither would
! any one else, she said to herself, thought
fully inclined to give up and run home.
But the dear old face of the rector
showed itself at the lower entrance, and
he, the first visitor, came in with pleasant
words and smiles dispensed upon all
sides, but walked straight by all the
booths to hers.
His stay was short, but he left her pref
ty face bright with smiles and flushed
with pleasure. She forgot her annoyance,
| and before she had to en- counter any more
looks of disdain her attention was claimed
by fresh visitors.
She had forgotten all about the ex-
pccted strangers that the Others were on
pins and needles to see, till her eyes
caught flutter of excitement among the
fair sellers of fancy wares at the other
stands. ~ "'' >''-'' 80 So"
-Four young men, with that unmistak-
able air OF cultivation and fashion that
makes such ielce havoc in the rural heart,
were entering the hall together.
They separated into couples after they
came in, and slowly began the tour Of
the hall; but, like most of the unfair sex
who had been in before them, were drawn
by some force Of attraction to the album
table, where Time faced frowning
world, as represented by the matrons and
maids of Otfport
Murmurs v ry unflattering to his
protege began to reach the old clergy
mans ears, and he dragged chair to
her side, and took his seat behind the
table to lend her the shield a protection
of his presence, just as the diplomatic
first directrcss sailed up to the floral
temple, seraphically suggesting to her
own mature daughters and the other Eat
PENDANTS, that, as some peoples effron-
terry was disgusting to all decent people,
it might tie we'll tor them to take pity on
those who were purposely detained at a
certain stand and carry their flowers
about.
So Flora's fair nymphs came out of
their bower, and fitted about hitler and
thither with an deliberately studied
"Who'll buy2' expression on their vari-
Gus faces, and full baskets Of bontonnieres
in their hands.
Time thought her success in getting
names had melted the ice, and the girls
were gathering about to congratulate her,
but they did not even seem to see her,
SO busily were they pinning the easily
sold boutonniers to the coats of her
patrons
The "Commodore," as the rest of his
party called one of their number, was
easily ensnared. Not only did he submit
to be ornamented, but made al xious in
quiries for large bouquets, and broke off
his gay little conversation with TIME to
rush off to the floral temple with one of
its nymphs.
TIME was too IMMERSED in the ways Of
the world to feel any resentment at his
DETECTION, but she was sorry enough for
the abrupt break in the merry chat they
were having, while he insisted upon her
turning the leaves Of the big album for
his inspection.
She tried not to show any feeling, but
there was a suspicious little drawing
down Of the baby mouth, and a grievcd
look in the wide blue eyes that infatuat-
ed him as he dashed back in a moment
his hand, which he begged her to accept.
HE must be remarkably charitable
man." was her little remark aside to
the rector, as the commodore proceeded
to take unlimited shares in the autograph
album.
| The rector had been watching the
frank, high bred face of the young fellow
and, unWorlelly as he was, he knew
enough to trust him; so he paid no heed
to the mods and winks of his wife across
the hall, who was being informed by the
able first directress of the dangers girl
in Tinie's peculiar position ran from the
over familiarity of the strange young
man.
Bobby, the candid young brother, HOY
cred about Tinic's stall, hoping for a
recognition from his friend Of the day
before; but much scrubbing, hair-cutting
and othes-brushing had so transformed
the ingenious youth that he passed un-
recognized till he forced himself into no.
tice by a whispered demand to know if
his sister wasn't, just as he had said, elev-
enty thousand times handsomer than
those old cats who wouldn't speak to her
because her mother was a washerwoman
! The commodore's bewilderment at the
question only lasted moment; then he
saw it clearly. This pretty, soft-eyed girl
with her little wildrose face and shy, be-
witchlng ways, was the abused sister he
had already felt a chivalrous pity fol
when her brother had told her story.
He remembered it all now-the old
worn-out dress, and the pretty white
apron that was to cover it-and what {
fascinating little apron it was, all covered
with ruff1es and puffles and 1lumncry, as
his untutored masculine tongue would
have described it.
1t must be that very apron that wa
playing the mischief with him, for he
had never been so fascinated by any CIR
before.
+; Suddenly a wild desire to possess tn
irresistible bit of property came owe
him. Would she sell it for swee
charity's sake9
e Then the cruelty Of securing it ant
: leaving her to the modification Of expos
! ing the rusty merino unprotected by it
i friendly shelter, rushed over him, and h
9 took Bob into short consultation, whic
p resulted in an interview with the males
tic first directress, who wae promenadin
G the hall with the bland manner Of a shoI
walker, or of one who graclously holds
J. levee, but keeps an eye on the guests ths
G thew escape not with the SPOONS.