St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-05-12

lay spread cut on the white cover, in
all tho arrogance of assured beauty.
Those pink rosettes are lovely; I'm
silly as I can be. know that well
enough! That's why asked Mr.. Jones
not to speak of my getting it Maybe
next summer / can have lawn with .
little blue sprig in It This would 60
beautifully with that don't think
I'm too old for lawn on hot day; and
I'm just glad got it-so there:" Then
she wrapped up the bag and put itsway
In her trunk.
After supper Florence cane up to
visit her. and Miss Thankful was
tempted to tell her all about it But
she was full Of her own plans, and tho
bag was not mentioned.
There is to be q party tomorrow
evening at Mary Moor's. It's the 18th.
you know" said Florence, happily. II
am going, and wear my blue cloth
dress: I've worn it q lot, Miss Thank
full, but mother says may have new
sash that will freshen it up. But oh!
I wish, do wish could have . party
bag that saw down in Cooper's win
dow. 1t was light blue, and lined with
pink-such beauty! wish yon had
seen it. can't have anything but the
sash. though, and so there is no use in
wishing"
Il did see it." said Miss Thankful,
''and it was pretty. I sorter wished
for it myself"
Florence laughed. "Oh, of course.
you would not want il. but II you had
seen it twenty years ago you might
have" she said. with the serene
thoughtlessness of youth.
Miss Thankful grew silent
"Mr Jones has asked me to 60 to
evening service twice lately" she went
on presently.
Il think he Is about the best-looking
young man here. don't you. Miss
Thankful? He never talks much, but
l suppose he thinks great deal. I
used to think he dislilsed me. he stam-
mered so whenever spoke to him; but
l guess It was just because he didn't
feel acquainted" And then followed .
recital of Mr.. Jones sayings
After she had gone Miss Thankful
sat for long. long time in front OF the
CRATE. with sad, dreamy eyes fixed on
the fire. She was going over in her
mind time twenty-five years before.
lie was nothing like Mr.. Jones" :"
she said.
..IIe was good looking. aud so tall:
but he was Just as timid. and ! acted Us
careless and as Indifferent as I knew
how. Girls are foolish creatures. He
never got up 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 wanted them TO-"
She undressed slowly. She felt old.
This looking back at ones youth has .
tendency to make one feel old, If it lies
twenty-five years behind one.
When she was all ready for bed she
opened the trunk and took out the par.
ty 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 noise
lessly along, and when she reached tho
door she hung the ribbon over tho
knob, and a. 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
full was dressed. and came in with q
flushed, happy face.
20 Miss Thankful she cried. II
have had the loveliest gift; what do you
think. that blue satin party bag!'
"Of course Mr.. Jones sent it. I asked
him last night if it was sold yet and he
grew Just as red and stamiucred sc;
l know why now. Mother says l may
keep it and I wrote him letter Of
thanks this morning and put it under
his plate. That Was the easiest wey OF
thanking him. He is having an early
breakfast now. so l thought ! would
wait and 20 down with you this time. "
And she 6uttered about the room in
happy excitement
Meanwhile Mr.. Jones was in very
uncertain and puzzled state of bliss
The note had thanked him for his
beautiful gift but neglected to tell
what the gift was.
He left the house without being ablc
to get q glimpse of Florence.
At noon there was another tiny
white missivc under his door. But this.
much to his disappointment proved to
be from Miss Thankful
DEAR Mr. JoSFs: Florence thinks ycc
sent that satin bag; Il would be dreadful for
Ter 70 know differently, after thanking you for
IL For her sake, please do not ever tell Ter
that ycu did not Your friend,
..TnAsKrrL HOPE"
Mr.. Jones studied this note with smil-
ing eyes
For her sake" that clause gave him
. quick thrill of pleasure. She would
be sorry to find out then that it was
not his gift 81. 49,
He must answer Florence'a note. and
this was the result Of half dozen at
tempts.
DEAR mss FLoaEscH: That bag could
net hold The valentine would like 70 give you
1T is the biggest and hone,iest valentine .
young lady ever rot II yoa care to have me
tell you about II please carry the blue satin
bar when you come down to dinner.
.ERAsfUs JOKES"
He could hear Florence singing in
her room. and he called the bell boy,
and sent the note to her.
There now," he said. when this had
been accomplished; 'if It had not been
for Miss Thankful, would never have
had the grit to have sent that And
what's more. ] believe Miss Thankful
knew it Bless her!
IF Florence does have that blue
thing on her arm, I'll give Miss Thank
full the very best black cloth dress that
Cooper & Cooper have In the store"