The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-03-30

After supper Florence caue up to
visit her, and Miss Thankful was
tempted to tell her all about it Rut
she was full Of her own plans, and the
bag was not mentioned.
There Is TO hc n party tomorrow
evening at Mary Noor's Its the l4th
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 viii freshcn il up. But. oh,
wish, do wish 1 could have a party
bag that l saw down in Coorer's win
dow. 1t was light blue, and lined with
pinlS-such beauty! ! wish yon had
seen il. ! can't have anything but the
sash, though, and so there Is no use in
wishing"
Il did sec it" said Miss Thankful.
''and it was pretty. ! sorter wished
for il myself"
Florence laughed. "Oh. Of course
you would not want il. but II Won had
seen 1t twenty years ago You might
have" she said with the serene
thoughtlcssness Of youth.
Miss Thankful grew silent
Mr. Jones has asked me 10 60 TO
evening service twice lately" she went
on presently.
Il think he is about the best-lool,ing
young man here, don't yop. Miss
Thankful? He never talks much. but
suppose he thinks a great deal
used 10 think he disliSed me. he STAN
mered SO whenever l spoke la him; bui
! guess IT was just because he didn't
feel acquainted" And then followed a
recital Of Mr.. Jones' savinus.
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 a time twenty-five years before
''lIe was nothing like Mr.. Jones'"
she said.
He was good looking. and 50 taU:
but he was just as timid, and ! acted a.
careless and as indifferent a. ] knew
how. Girls are foolish creatures. lie
never got up courage 10 tell me. And
then we moved away. and that was all
No other man ever Looked AT me. and /
can't say a. | wanted them to-"
She uudressed slowly. She felt old
This looking back at ones youth has
tendency 10 make one feel old. if il lies
twenty-five years behind one.
When she vas all ready for bed she
opened the trunk and took out the par
~ bag.
She opened the door and listened.
Everything was still in the dim hall.
ElOrence's 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 tack
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
ful was dressed, and came in with
flushed. happy face.
20 Miss Thankful she cried, Il
have had the lovclicst gift; what DO you
think, that blue satin party bag"
''Of course Mr. Jones sent il. / asked
him last night if il was sold yet and be
grew just - red and starnucred so:
know why now. Mother says ! may
keep it and / wrote him a letter Of
thanks this morning and put it under
lis plate. That was the easiest way OF
thanking him. lie J., having an early
breakfast now. SO l Ihought' ! would
wait and 70 down with you this time.
And she iuttercd about the room in
happy excitement
Meanwhile Mr.. Jones was in a very
dncertIin and puzzled state of bliss.
The note had thanked him for his
beautiful gilt, but neglected to tell
what the gift was.
lie left the house without being able
70 get a glimpse of Florence.
At noon there was another tiny
white missive under his door. But this,
much 20 his disappointment, proved 10
be from Miss Thankful
DEAR SlIL JOSTs. Florence thinks you
sent that satin bag; IL would be dreadful lor
her TO know differently, after thanking YOU f,r
IL For her sake, please do not ever tell her
that you did not Your friend
.THANKFUL HOPE"
Mr.. Jones studied this note with smil-
ing eyes.
For her sake" that clause gave him
n quick thrill of pleasure She would
be sorry 70 find out then that il was
not his gift
lie must answer Florence's note. and
this was the result Of half dozen at
tempts
DEAR MISS FLoRFNCE. That bag could
not hold the valentine would like 10 give you
If / dared.
1t is the biggest and homeliest yaIcntlaea "a
young lady ever got II you care 10 have mc
tell you about it, please carry rIc blue satin
bag when you come down 20 dinner.
"EuASTUs JONES 4"
He could hear Florence singing in
her room, and ne called the bell boy.
and sent the note % her.
There now" ne said. when this had
been accom- lished; III IL had not been
for Miss Thankful, / would never have
had the grit to have sent that. And
what's more. ] believe Miss Thankful
knew il. Bless hcri
If Florence does have that blue
thing on her arm, IN give Miss Thank
full the very best black cloth dress that
Cooper & Cooper have in the store"
And Miss Thankful got the dress
Anna d. GRAY in Interior