Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-08-16

1TeSu lace. WIFI ua1eA S9SSt anu nam
red-br0wn hair; and there was a deal Of
commou-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 a brilliant match,
while she, Clara, was to settle down into
the monotony of old maidism. But
| there were some thi2gs that she would
have liked different, and the coming
donation party weighed very heavily
upon her soul. 1t 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.
~ wish" said Leslie ~thoughtfully,
shat Mrs, Hays would think to give US
new sitting-room carpet Ours is worn
through to the very boards of the floor;
and she has lust recarpeteN her W
house with real Brussels
"She will give you a bunch OF paper
roses. you will see," s~corntully retorted
Clara.
THE Hamptons are rich," said Harry.
Little mother would appreciate a sew
ing-machine from Mrs. Hampton, now
wouldn't she?"
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 a splatter-worked
tidy. Oh, Harry, If you only knew how
| hated all thls"
Toward dusk the presents began to
come in. Mrs. White sent a Jug Of coal
oil, Deacon Jones brought a bag OF wal
nuts ('just as if the woods weren't full
of Them" said Clara, contemptuously).
Minnie Brown brought a chair-tidy,
Miss Kiser contributed a startag qehromo,
the Widow Jackson a bag of rancid hens
feathers, Charlie Young a setting of
ducks eggs, Y was planned to fill the
haeaa|aalucnen with gifts of this nature,
, and to display them all at once to the
minister and his wife, as a surprise"
SISTER" piped little Ida, heres a
chair from Mrs. Forrest!'
Leslie groaned.
'lts 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,
"At this rate We shall be rich"
1t was nearly dark when Norman
Arlington came in. Clara was empty.
ing a 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 a faithful vigil at
her side. Naturally, she wished to
show her appreciation of all this, Yeast
cakes were a penny a piece at the vii
lage store, and she had sent half adozen
| of home manufacture. Norman Arling-
ton was a tall, straight, young man,
with black eyes, AMI a quiet, earnest
way with him. He came in with a bag
over his shoulder. Clara eyed him an
tagonistically.
"Well," said she.
You're going to have Alienation party
here tonight, they tell me?' said Nor
man.
/ "Yes sir" answered Clara.
There was a warning flash in Clara's
eyes,
Il thought I would come in early
before the commotion began" said he.
She laughed scornfully.
THE commotion is here now" said
Clara.
'Clara."
Eyes, Mr.. Arlington"
would you be offended If I were to
offer you
"Yes, ! would" broke out Clara, red
dening to the very roots of her hair. II
don't want it! It's an insult. Carry 1t
back home, whatever it is, and please
please don't think that because | have
the misfortune to be a minister's daugh.
ter, that"
Norman's black eyes glittered, half
with fun, half with vexation.
Clara" said he, you are a little
vixen. Won't you hear me out?'
as it buckwheat hour?" 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
The bag is not intended for you"
said Norman. 1T is on its way to DR..
Holmes, full Of castor beans. couldn't
put my offering into a bag nor pack it
in a box. Its 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.
"Are you quite sure of that?' said he.
Dear little Clara, don't look so cross at
me. came here to offer you myself,
and ] don't propose to 20 away until
you have said either yes or no. know
you are cross; but l can't help risking
it. Clara, l can't live any longer in
suspense. l love you in spite OF all the
seedlings you give me, and l want to
marry you. Come, Clara, is it yes OF
no?"
Clara blushed redder than any rose
She made an instructive movement to