Connecticut western news., 1894-10-11

her own plans, and the bag was not mentioned.
 '"There is to be party tomorrow even- ing at Mary Moor's. It's the 14th, you know" said Florence happily. II am going to wear my blue cloth dress I've worn it lot, Miss Thankful, but moth CT says may have new sash That will freshen it up. But, oh, wish, l do wish I could have a party bag that l saw down in Cooper's window. It was light blue and lined with pink. Such beautyl I wish you had seen it I can't have anything but the sash, though, and so there no use in wish ing.
 II did see it, :" said Miss Thankful, land it was pretty. l sorter wished for it myself "
 Florence laughed "Oh, of course, you would not want it, but if you had seen it 20 years ago you might have, !" she said, with the serene thoughtless- ness of youth.
 Miss Thankful grew silent
 Mir. Jones has asked me to go to evening service twice lately" she went on presently.
 1T think he is about the best looking young man here, don't you, Miss Thank ful? He never talks much, but suppose he thinks great deal I used to think he disliked me, he stammered so when ever I spoke to him, but I guess it was just because he didn t feel acquainted. !" And then followed 0 recital of Mir. Jones' sayings.
 After she had gone Miss Thankful sat for long, long time in front of the grate, with sad dreamy eyes fixed on the time 25 years before:
 "He was nothing like MT. Jones, she said. "He was good looking and so tall, but he was just as timid, and acted as careless and indifferent as knew how Girls are foolish creatures He never got up the courage to tell me. And then we moved away, and that was all No other man ever looked at me, and l can't say as want them to.
 She undressed slowly. She felt old This looking back at one's youth has a 25 years behind one
 When she was all ready for bed, she opened the trunk and took out the party bag.
 She opened the door and listened. Everything was still in the dim hall Florence's room was only few doors away. Miss Thankful slipped noiseless- ly along, and when she reached the door she hung the ribbon over the knob and as softly stole back.
 She had put no card in the bag; there was no need Florence would know who sent it, and then she went to bed and to sleep.
 The next morning Florence knocked at the door almost before Miss Thank ful was dressed and came in with a flushed, happy face.
 "Oh, Miss Thankful" :" she cried, '1 have had the loveiest gifti What do you think-that blue satin party bag!
 "Of course MT. Jones sent it asked him last night if it was sold yet, and he grew just as red and stammered so. know why now. Mother says I may keep it, and l wrote him note of thanks this morning and put it under his plate. That was the easiest way of thanking him. He is having an early breakfast now, so I thought l would wait and go down with you this time. !" And she f1uttered about the room in happy excitement
 Meantime Mr. Jones was in a very uncertain and puzzled state of bliss The note had thanked him for his beau tiful gift, but neglected to tell what the gift was.
 He left the house without being able to get glimpse of Florence. At noon there was another tiny white | missive under his door. But this, much to his disappointment, proved to be from Miss Thankful
 DEAR MR. JoNEs-Florence thinks you sent that satin bag It would be dreadful for her to know differently after thanking you for 1t. For her sake, please do not ever tell her that you did not. Your friend, THANKFUL HOPE. MT. Jones studied this note with smiling eyes "For her sake, 1" that clause gave him | quick thrill of pleasure. She would be sorry to find out, then, that it was not his gift He must answer Florence's note, and this was the result of half dozen at tempts:
 | DEAR Miss FLoRENcE-That bag could not | hold the valentine would like to give you If dared. 1t Is the biggest and homeliest yalen- | tine young lady ever got. If you care to have me tell you about 1t. please carry the blue satin | bag when you come down to dinner. ERAsTUs JONES He could hear Florence singing in her room, and he called the bellboy and sent the note to her.
 "There now," he said, when this had been accomplished, Eff it had not been for Miss Thankful would never have had the grit to send that, and, what's | more, I believe Miss Thankful knew it, bless herl
 | ''If Florence does have that blue thing on her arm, I'll give Miss Thankful the very best dress that Cooper & Coope, have in the store ''
 And Miss Thankful got the dress. - Ann Deming Gray in Hartford Courant