The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-07-19

jOlica pot, and the rich. arrow-shapeu
leaves seeming TO overflow its brim
with grcencry Oh either side; but not
n solitary lily was TO be seen. Was
she dreaming1
Ont Of all the lilies that Tibbie hal
watched grow and expand to their
pcnrly perfection not one remained.
She thought the time never would
come when she could see her uncle
come down tho steps, with his scrmon-
case under his arm, and his old
fashioned soft hat pulled over his
brow.
In the breezy churchyard tho willow
boughs swaycd to aud fro, the short
grass was starred with dandclions aud
the bland spring sunshine folded every
thing in veil of gold; but a cloud
sccined.to descend over all these things
when Tibbic caught the grave, re-
pronchful look on her unclc's face.
Harold Vanneker stood beside Mr..
krcss; he lifted his hat to Tibbie; but
the girl scarcely noticed his presence.
"Uucle, you are vcxcd with mel"
she cried. "What is itP 1s It tho
bonnet? DID you think 1t was to gay2 ?
Aud oh, Uncle, what became of the
lilies?"
Uncle Kress looked gravcly at her.
al scarcely expected such tricky
thing Of YOU Elizabeth said he. elf
you had wanted the $40 so badly why
didn't YOU tell me aud | would have
given it 10 you out aud out. But
dcccit-evcn practical joking-Gods
altar is not the place for thatl"
"Uncle," she gaspcd, al do not
understand you"
"Wc will not discuss IL further"
said Mr.. Kress. waving his hand. "iou
will find your lilies lying out there
under the southern caves. Take them
aud gol"
Tibbie was turning vaguely In the
direction to which her unclo pointed,
but Mr.. Vannekcr was before her.
STOPPING down he gathered up a
handful of course paper scrolls with
gaudily painted yellow pistils in their
centres.
"Thcsc are the lilies that found
fastened rudely in among your green
leaves this morning." said Mr.. Kress,
coldly.
Tibbc looked from her uncle to Mr.
Vanuoker without a word. For tho
moment it seemed as If speech were
frozen upon her lips, but all at once
she broke into Il pitcous cry.
"Who has been tampcring with my
lilicsp" she walled, "my white, bcau,i'
full lilicsr
al think | have a clue to this puz
zle," said Mr.. Vanneker. calmly. "l
was in the back part of Durivage's store
yesterday, looking at an old black
letter edition of Chauccr, that he hat
laid aside for me, when lady came
into the front department aud askc,
the price of some paper lilies tina
lay Oh tho counter To my astonish
ment the lady WAS Miss Isabel Kress
aud she bought the lilies and wen
out. We came down from Now Yorl
in the same train, but was prevcnte,
from going and speaking to her by
man who button-holed me on busin es
matters, aud do not think she knew
of my being near. When strolle,
past the church last night | saw Isabe
Kress herself going in. stopped an'
asked the old sexton if the churc
was open.
"'Noa, not reg'lar open,' b
answered, 'but there's young lady q
putin flowers in.'
; "Naiurally thought of Tibbi
here and went in. But it was no
TlbOic whom 1 saw IN the Tar emu
the church, stealthily breaking Oft til
: pure white blossoms In the grea
: majo!ica pot and inserting the odiou
limitations in their place. 1t was Isa
bel. stood still and watched her Il
: shc transferred the real lilies to
r basket that hung Oh her arm, and the
gathered her shawl around her an
: glided out AGAIN."
l YES" said quick excited voic
Q close by, as Isabel emerged from I'll
shcllering shade of group of la,
rcls, "ils all true, every word of it
!, | meant to take down TiLbie's prid,
aud I've done it-for moment,