The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-05-25

the of assured beauty.
'"Those pink roses are lovely. I'm
silly as / can be. | know that well
enougi:' That's why / asked Nh. Jones
not to speak of my getting it. Maybe
next summer I can have a lawn with a
little blue sprig in it. This would go
beautifully with that. / don't think
I'm too old for a lawn ON a hot day,
and I'm just glad | got it-so there!''
Then she wrapped up the bag and put
it away in her trunk.
After supper Florence came up to visit
her, and Miss Thankful was tempted to
tell her about it. But she was full of
her W plans, and the bag was not
mentioned.
There is to be a 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 a lot, Miss Thankful, but moth
er says I may have a new sash. That will
freshen it up. But, oh, I wish, I do
wish l could have q party bag that l
saw down in Cooper's window. 1t was
a light blue and lined with pink. Such
a beauty! I wish you had seen it.
I can't have anything but the SSH,
though, and so there is no use in wish
ing"
II did see it, said Miss Thankful,
"and it was pretty. I sorter wished for
it myself"
Florence laughed. ooh, of course,
won xuor1l not ruanf ~ Int If VIM, bal
seen it 20 years ago you might have"
she said, with the serene thoughtless-
ness of youth.
Miss Thankful grew silent.
"Mr. Jones has asked me to 60 to
evening service twice lately" she went
on presently.
81 think he is about the best looking
young man here, don't you, Miss Thank
full? He never talks much, but Isuppose
he thinks u great deal. I used to think
he disliked me, he stammered so when
ever I spoke to him, but 1 guess it was
just because he didn'tfeel acquainted.
And then followed a recital of Mr..
Jones' sayings.
After she had gone Miss Thankful sat
for a long, long time in front of the
CRATE, with sad dreamy eyes fixed on the
fire. She was going over in her mind a
time % years before.
He was nothing like Mr.. Jones, " she
said. HE was good looking and so tall,
but he was just as timid, and | acted as
careless and Indifferent as l 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 I
can't say as I want them to-"
She undressed slowly. She felt old.
This looking back at ones youth has a
tendency to make one feel old if it lies
% 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 wa only a few doors
ly along, and when she reached the
door she hung the ribbon yer the knob
and as softly stole back.
She had put nc 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 a
flushed, happy face.
"Oh, Miss Thankful" she cried, Il
have had the loveliest gift! What do
| you think-that blue satin party bag!
"Of course Mr.. Jones sent it. 7 asked
him last night if it was sold yet, and
he grew just as red and stammered so.
I know why now. Mother says I may
keep it, and I wrote him a 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 I 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 a 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. 1t would be dreadful for her to
know differently after thanking you for it. For
her sake. please do not ever tell her that you
did not. Your friend, THANKFUL HOPE.
Mr.. Jones studied this note with
smiling eyes.
For her sake, - that clause gave him
a 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 a half dozen at
tempts:
DEAR Miss FLoREycE-That bag could not
hold the valentine I would like to give you if I
dared. 1t is the biggest and homeliest valen-
tine a young lady ever got. If you care to have
me tell you about it. please carry the blue satin