Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-29

w.
"Your Shirt Collar is Uubuttoned
Again"
studied and read herself beyond any COM
partnership that the village might OFFER
since grown tiresome to her. Miss Lopp
never forgot that pleasing picture, the
dark eyes half humorously pleading, the
abundant hair caught up here and there
as If by graceful and yet careless dips, the
pleasing face and yet a countenace be-
speaking strength of will-physical vigor
and grace.
You must not say you won't" the girl
went on, giving Miss Lopp no time to an
swer. until you know how much in need
of a sensible companion am. Father-and
let me request you not to pay any atten-
ton to his strong expressions for he is
really the best man you ever saw-well, he
does everything he can to tighten my lone
illness, but he can't do so very much, you
know. being only a man. and am actually
hungry for some one to talk to-"
Il don't see how l can resist so strong
an appeal" Miss Lopp replied.
There. knew you couldn't say you
wouldn't when you were brought to UNI
derstand 1t all. And we'd better go now"
she added, springing off the stool You
shall have large front room, but 1t has
rag carpet, woven half senIimentally by a
woman that lives not far from hereby
half sentimentally 1 mean that she thought
so much of me she wove 1t for half price.
But you don't mind that. do your
What, the sentiment or the half price?'
why, the rag carpet, of course. 1 didn't
know but you might expect velvet on the
floor"
My dear child" said Miss Lopp, cit was
not the thought of carpet that brought
me into this neighborhood, and to tell you
the truth / don't care whether the floor is
covered with rag or with sawdust''
"Oh. just know that / shall like You.
because you are not stupid with evenness
nf fa1l nd ri cd MAJ N
on and we'll go over right now"
And so Miss Lopp was installed in
large room in an Old-fashior ed house Her
two front windows commanded the drowsy
village, the town COW that looked as
though she had been patched having so
often been scalded by irate housewives; the
prowling hog, the sport of every dog that
found himself without amusement, the
hitching rack. where farmers nags squeal-
ed and bit at one another. But the two
other windows looked upon a garden, rose
tinted here and there. the dark shade lying
between rows of high peas. tangle OF
plum bushes, long slope and creek.
The office Of the newspaper was found in
a jumbled state with black and light types
mixed together, but with the assistance OF
a boy who had long been an apprentice,
decent order was brought about. and from
the very first number the paper showed an
Improvement. The paragraphs were writ
ten with vigor that made the villagers
wink as though their eyes had lighted upon
something too bright for them; and the
editorials on national and International
subjects were Tet forth with that dignity
which the farmer demands that his editor
shall observe. A show of frankness soon
wins the confidence of a southern town,
and Miss Lopp became so evident favor
lite that within month after her arrival
her paper had picked up an additional cir
culation of fifty copies, marvellous
growth, a newspaper miracle in Bloomfield.
Nell soon learned to pick mp type, and
was, therefore, Polly's closest and most
a,olrr
apart; they strolled in the woods like
lovers, and together they begged contribu-
lions to the mite society.
One afternoon, as they were going home
to enjoy the cool of the garden, Nell,
swinging Polly's hand as they moved along,
declared that she had never been so happy.
Il feel that l am useful" she said; Il feel
that / am the dearest friend of a woman
who knows something. And do you know
what 1 have been thinking of? have been
thinking that we ought to make a vow
never to separate l told father the other
night that l should never marry, and if
we will live together. There's the stage,
and look, there are three passengers, men,
and they are coming this way
Polly made no reply, but, leaning for
ward, looked eagerly at the men. They
lad been looking about them, but upon
seeing her they came quickly forward, and
as they approached one OF them called:
Hello. Polly" and then each one said:
f1ellO, IOly.
Several of the townspeople were within
hearing, and they loitered near to see
what might follow. Polly spoke to the
strangers, and then requested Nell to walk
on. that she would overtake her. Nell hest
tated Wont you please walk on" Polly
insisted. I'll soon catch up with you.
Nell obeyed, though not without mutter-
ing an objection, and Polly stood in the
road, talking to the strangers. What could
1T mean? Why were they so familiar with
her and why should she desire to see them
alone They turned and slowly walked to-
ward the stage coach, which was to go out
a gain al once. to take passengers to the rail-
way ten miles distant, and Polly talked to
them in low tones and then they all nod
ded and smiled. Nell and the villagers
Aimes, and just as the three men had seat
ed themselves in the coach, the old man,
the driver to wait a moment
walked up to the door and satd !
Il am the mayor of this town"
Sorry for you" one of the men replied.
q 'Well, by Satans hoofs, like that. but
excuse the expression, for it's the strongest
/ ever did use; but what do you mean by
sneakin' in here without lettin' anybody
know you was comm an sneakin' out
you did come? Now what have you got to
say?'
shut the door, old man. Ira loo"
Wait" the old man commanded. "Who
are you and what did you want with this
young woman"
Go on. driver. So long. old top" And
off they went.
Miss Polly" said the old man, turning
toward the editor. what do it mean?"
your shirt collar is unbutt oned again."
was all she said.
CHAPTER H.
That evening in the house of old man |
Aimes there was a silent supper party. |