The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-10-09

ahOoA A1SS4 HAuh ho1bA ~ 0'S sA@N@ " - -
fed.bfown hair; and there was deal Of
common-sense In her makeup.
Leslie was the family beauty--a pink
and white Dresden china little creature
and Clara had It fully settled that
Leslie was TO make brilliant match,
while she, Clara, was to settle down into
the monotony OF old maidism. But
there were some things that she would
have liked different, and the coming
donation party weighed very heavily
upon her soul. II was supposed to be a
surprise to the minister and his wife.
Clara, Leslie and Harry had. however,
been let into the secret as a sort Of nee.
essary preliminary.
: II WISH" said Leslie tboughtfully.
-.zt1at-hfrs Hays would think TO give DIS
a new sitting-room carpet Ours is worn
through to the very boards Of the floor;
and she has lust recarpeted her own
house with real Brussels"
'sShe will give you bunch OF paper
roses, you will see" scornfully retorted
Clare -----~.-A...y.-. e.
THE Hamptons are rich" said Harry.
Little mother would appreciate sew.
ing-machine from Mrs Hampton, now
wouldn't she?1
- Clara shrugged her shoulders.
~ can tell exactly what Mrs. Hamp-
ton means to give u.s. said she. "One
OF those book-marks that her grand
daughter worked, or splatter-worked
tidy. Oh, Harry, If you only knew how
hated all this"'
Toward dusk tho presents began to
come in. Mrs. White sent a Jug Of coal.
oil, Deacon Jones brought bag Of wal
nuts Just as If the woods weren't full
OF Them" said Clara, eontemptuously1.
Minnie =Brown-brought chair-tidy,
Miss Kiser contributed staring chrome,
the Widow jackson bag Of rancid hens
feathers, Charlie Young asserting of
ducks eggs. It was planned to I'LL the
back kitchen with gifts Of this nature,
and to display them all at once to the
minister and his wife, as surprise"
Sister" piped little Ida, here's .
chair from Mrs. Furrestl,
Leslie groancd.
Its the old chair that stood all last
summer on her porch, said she.
Painted over and glued up But 1t
won't last MONTH"
Mrs. Forrest all over" said Clara
"'At this rate we shall be RICH"
It was nearly dark when Norman
Arlington came in. Clara was empty.
ing paper Of yeast cakes which old
Mrs Harrington had sent Old Mrs.
Harrington had been very sick that
summer, and both Mr.. Bernard and his
wife had kept many faithful vigil at
her side. Naturally, she wished to
show her appreciation Of all this. Yeast
cakes were penny piece at the vii
lage store, and she had sent half dozen
of home manufacture. Norman Airing
ton was tall straight young man,
with black eyes, AMI quiet, earnest
way with him. He came in with bag
over his shoulder. Clara eyed him an
tagonistically.
WELL said she.
You're going to have donation party
here tonight. they tell me?" said Nor
man.
YES SIR" answered Clara.
.There=was warning fash@in Glara's
eyes.
Il thought l would come in early
before the connection began" said he.
She laughed scornfully.
1.-THE commotion is here now" said
Clara.
'Clara!" +e
ayes, Mr.. Arlington"
"Wo9ld you be offended II I were to
offer you"
Eyes, / would" broke out Clara, red
dening to the very roots Of her hair. II
don't want itLIt's- an insalt! Carry it
back home, whatever it is, and please
-please don't think that because have
the misfortune to be minister's daugh-
ter, thai
Norman's black eyes glittered, half
with fun, half with vexation.
Clara" said he, you are little
vixen! Won't you hear me out?'
as it buckwheat flour?" said Clara,
indignantly eying the bag, ''or is it
black-eyed beans? Because we've got a
plenty of both, thank you all the same. g
THE bag is not intended for you, u
said Norman. sit is on its way to DR..
Holmes, fullof castor beans. lcouldn't
put my offering into bag nor pack it
in box. It's too big"
Nobody wants your Offering" re.
torted Clara.
Norman put the bag on a chair and
took both Clara's little hands in his,
"Arc youqulte sure of that?" said he
Dear little Clara, don't look SO cross al
me. ] came here to offer you myself
and don't propose to go away until
you have said either yes or no. know
you are cross; but can't help riskinp
1t. Clara, can't live any longer in
suspense. love you in spite OF all the
seedlings you give me, and ] want te
marry you. Come, Clara, Is it yes OIL
mop" s. =
Clara blnshed redder than any. rose
She made an instructive movement tc