Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-07-13

on presently.
IT think he is about the best looking
Young man here don't you, Miss Thank
full? He never talks much, but suppose
he thinks great deal I used to think
he disliked me, he stammered so when
ever spoke to him, but I guess it was
Just because he didn 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 i'll her mind a
time 25 years before.
''He was nothing like Mr.. Jones, F." 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 I
can't say as want them to-.
She undressed slowly. She felt old.
This looking back at ones youth has
tendency to make one feel old if it lies
20 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
I full was dressed and came in with
flushed, happy face.
ooh, Miss Thankful" she cried, 81
have had the loveliest gift! What do
you think-that blue satin party bagl
"Of course Mr.. Jones sent it. 1 asked
him last night if it was sold yet, and
he grew Just as red and stammered SO.
know why now. Mother says 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 futtered 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. 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
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 FLoRENCE-That bag could not
hold the valentine would like to give you if
dared. 1t is the biggest and homeliest valen-
tine young lady ever got. If you care to have
ne tell you about it. 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 I would never have
had the grit to send that, and, what's
more, believe Miss Thankful knew it,
bless her!
"If Florence does have that blue thing
Oh her arm, I'll give Miss Thankful the
very best dress that Cooper & Cooper
have in the store. -
And Miss Thankful got the dress. -
Ann Deming Gray in Hartford Courant.