Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-06-07

not to speak of my getting il. Maybe
next summer can have lawn with a
little blue sprig in it. This would go
beautifully with that / don't think
I'm too old for lawn on hot day; and
I'm just glad got it-so therel" Then
she wrapped up the bag and put it away
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 the
bag was not mentioned
There is to be party tomorrow
evening at Mary Moor's It's the 14th.
you know" said Florence, happily. Il
am going, and wear my blue cloth
dress; I've worn it lot, Miss Thank
full, but mother says / may have a new
sash that will freshen it up. But. OIL
| wish, do wish could have a party
bag that l saw down in Coopers win
dow. 1t was light blue, and lined with
pink-such beauty | wish you had
seen it. can't have anything but the
SASH though, and so there is no use in
wishing"
81 did see it," said Miss Thankful,
"and it was pretty, sorter wished
for it myself"
Florence laughed. ooh, Of course.
you would not want IT, but if you had
seen it twenty years ago you might
have" she said, with the serene
thoughtlessness of youth.
Miss Thankful grew silent
MIR Jones has asked me tc 90 to
evening service twice lately" she went
on presently.
II think he is about the bSst-lool1ing
young man here, don't you, Miss
Thankful? He never talks much, but
l suppose he thinks a great deal !
used to think he disliked me. he STAN
mered so whenever / spoke 10 him; but
guess it was just because he didn't
feel acquainted" And then followed q
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
''He was nothing like Mr., Jones'"
snesaid.
llN WIS EOOQ lNbNAhEF ahN ~ NNAAH
but he was just as timid, and ! acted as
careless and us indifferent as 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 ]. I
can't say as | wanted them to-"
She undressed slowly. She felt old. /
This looking back at ones youth has
tendency 10 make one feel old, If II lies /
twenty-five years behind one.
When She was al ready for bed She
opened the trunk and took out the par
" bag.
She opened the door and listened.
Everything was stll in the dim hall.
Florences room was only a few doors
away Miss Thankful slipped noise
lessly 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 I
TO bed and to sleep
The next morning Florence knocked 1
at the door, almost before Miss Thank 4
full was dressed, and came in with
flushed happy face.
90 Miss Thankful she cried, II /
have had the loveliest gift; what do you
think. that blue satin party bag
''Of course Mr.. Jones sent il. / asked 4
him last night If it was sold yet and he /
grew Just as red and stammered so: 4
! know why now. Mother says l may 4
keep it and / wrote him letter of 4
thanks this morning and put il under 4
his plate. That was the easiest way Of 4
thanking him. lie is having an early 4
breakfast now. so | thought ] would 4
wait and 90 down with you this time. "
And she futtered about the room in 1
happy excitement
Meanwhile Mr.. Jones was in a very 4
uncertain and puzzled state of bliss
The note had thanked him for his !
beautiful gift, but neglected TO tell i
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 &c
be from Miss Thankful.
DEAR NIX G0NEe+ G4RENutf Al4llAS you
sent that satin bag; il would be dreadful for
her to know differently, after thanking you for
IL For her sake. please do not ever tell her
that you did not Your friend,
THANKFUL HoPE"
Mr. Jones studied this note with sruil-
ing eyes.
For her sake" that clause gave him
a quick thrill of pleasure. She would
be sorry to find out then that il was
not his gift
He must answer Florence's note, and
this was the result of half dozen at
tempts.
DEAR MISS FLORENCE: That bag could
not hold the valentine would Ike to give you
il / dared.
"lt is the biggest and homeliest valentine
young lady aver got II you care to have nae
toll you about IL. please carry the blue sauR
bag when you come down 10 dinner.
"ERAsrUs JONES"
He could hear Florence singing in
a I. .11