Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-08-07

and do what they ought to do? Who
wants Mrs. Hampton to bring US chair
tidy. and Squire Ramsey to sort out all
his aged beans for our benefit, and
Annie Smith to work horrible pen
wipers for us? We're not objects OF
charity yet. are we?"
ssHush, Clara" soothed Leslie.
'sIt's the custom, sis. said Harry. 81
can't say that quite uphold it myself;
but hush, here comes father"
Mr.. Bernard was a mild old gentle
man, with bald head and spectacles,
who sat down to his meal in an absent
sort of way, as if his mind were some
what in Syro-Phenicia. The children
might easily have continued their dis
cussion and he would have been none
the wiser.
Clara Bernard was twenty years old.
She was not a beauty, nor was she re-
markably talented; but she had round,
fresh face, with hazel eyes. and warm
red-brown hair; and Ghere was deal OF
mmon-sense in her makeup.
Leslie was the family beauty 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, ana the coming
donation party weighed very heavily
upon her soul. 1t was supposed to be a
Clara, Leslie and Harry had, however,
essary preliminary.
81 wish,'' said Leslie thoughtfully,
shat Mrs. Hays would think to give us
a new sitting-room carpet Ours is worn
through to the very boards of the floor;
| and she has just recarpeted her own
house with real Brussels"
.'She will give you bunch of paper.
roses, you will see,' scornful1y retorted
Clara.
1.-THE Hamptons are rich,'' said Harry.
s'Little mother would appreciate sew
Ing-machine from Mrs. Hampton, now
wouldn't she?"
Clara shrugged her shoulders.
81 can tell exactly what Mrs. Hamp-
ton means to give u.s." said she. Zone
of those book-marks that her grand
daughter worked. or splatter-worked
tidy. Oh, Harry, if you only knew how
hated all th1sr'
Toward dusk the presents began tC
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, CONTEMPORARY
Minnie Brown brought a chair-tidy,
Miss Kiser contributed staring chrome,
the Widow Jackson a bag of rancid hens
feathers, Charlie Young a setting OF
ducks eggs. 1t was planned to fill the
back kitchen with gifts of this nature,
and to display them sll at once to the
minister and his wife. as ''surprise.'
''Sister," piped little Ida, "'here's a
chair from Mrs Forrest!'
Leslie groaned.
''Its the old chair that stood all last
summer on her porch" said she.
painted over and glued up. But it
won't last a month"
''Mrs. Forrest all over" said Clara.
eat 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 tina.
summer, and both Mr.. Bernard and his
wife had kept many a 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 a tall, straight, young man,
with black eyes. and 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. 9
Eyes SIR" answered Clara.
There was warning flash in Clara.
| eyes.
II thought 1 would come in early
before the commotion began said he:
She laughed scornfully. :
''The cOmmotion is here now" safe
Clara.
Clara
| Eyes, Mr.. Arlington"
| "Would you be offended if I were t.
offer you
| Eyes, / WOULD broke out Clara, red
dening to the very roots of her hair. s.
don't want it! It's an insult! Carry i
back home, whatever it is, and please
please don't think that because l hav,
the misfortune to be minister's daugh
| ter, that"
| Norman's black eyes glittered, hal
with fun, half with vexation.
| Clara" said he. you are a little
vixen! Won't you hear me out?'
| SIS it buckwheat flour?" said Clara