The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-31
store" she said. smiling at it where3it

lay spread out on the white cover In all
the arrogance Of assured beauty.
Those pink roses are lovely. I'm
silly as can be- I know that we'll
enoughl THAT'S why asked Mr.. Jones
not to speak Of my getting 1t Maybe
next summer can have o lawn with
little blue sprig In it This would go
beautifully with that don't think
I'm too old for o lawn on hot day,
and I'm just glad I got it-so therei"
Then she wrapped up the bag and put
1t away in her trunk.
After supper Florence cane up to visit
her, and Miss Thankful was tempted to
toll her about it. But she was full Of
her own plans, and the bag was not
mentioned.
'tThere Is to BIO party tomorrow even
ing at Mary Moor'a It's the 14th, you
know" said Florence happily. IT am
going to wear my blue cloth dress I've
worn 1t lot, Miss Thankful. but moth
er says may have new sash. That Will
freshen 1t up But oh, wish, I do
wish I could have party bag that /
saw down In Cooper's window. It was
a light blue and lined with pink Such
beauty! l wish you had seen it
I can't have anything but the SASH
though, and SO there Is no use In wish
ing" s i
II did sec it." said Miss Thankful,
land 1t was pretty. 1 sorter wished for
it myself
Florence laughed "Oh, Of course
you would not want it, but If you had
seen 1t 80 years ago you might have, ("
she said, with tho serene thoughtless-
ness Of youth.
Miss Thankful grew silent
"Mr. Jones has asked mo to 20 to
evening service twice lately" she went
on presently. oa-s sea
II 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 used to think
no disliked me, no stammered 30 when
ever spoke to him. but l guess it was
just because he didn't feel acquainted
And then followed a recital Of MIR
Jones' sayings
After she had gono Miss Thankful sat
for long, long time In front Of tho
CRATE. with sad dreamy eyes fixed on the
fire She was going over In her mind a
time 90 years before
HE was nothing like Mr.. Jones, +" she
said "Hew 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 mo And then
wo moved away, and that was all No
other man over looked ut me, and !
can't say as I want them to-
She undressed slowly. She felt old
This looking back at ones youth has q
tendency to make one feel old If it lies
% years behind one
When she was all ready for bod, she
opened the trunk and took out the party
bag.
She opened the door and listened
Everything was still in the dim hall
Florenoe's room was only few doors
away. Miss Thankful slipped noiseless-
ly along, and when she reached the
door sho hung tho ribbon over the knob
and rs softly stole back
Sho had put no card In tho bag; there
was no need Florence would know
who sent 1t, and then she went to bed
and to sleep
The next morning Florence knocked
at tho door almost before Miss Thank
full was dressed and camo In with q
flushed. happy face
"Oh, Miss Thankful" she cried, 81
hnvo had tho loveliest giftl What do
you think-that blue satin party bag!
"Of course MIR. Jones sent it asked
him last night If it was sold yet, and
he grew just as red and stammered SO.
l know why now. Mother says may
keep 1t. and I wrote him note of
thanks this morning and put 1t under
his plate That was the easiest way of
thanking him. He is having an early
breakfast now, so 1 thought l would
wait and go down with You this time I"
And she fluttered about the room In
happy excitement
Meantime Mr.. Jones was In O 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 got glimpse of Florence
At noon there was another tiny white
missive under his door But this. much
to his disappointment. proved to DO
from Miss Thankful
DEAR Mir JoNEs-Florenco thinks you sent
that satin bag 1t would be dreadful for her to
know differently after thanking you for it. For
her snko, 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, F." that clause gave him
quick thrill of pleasure She would
BIO sorry to find out, then. that it was not
his gift