The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-04-09

who nodded and said, measuring
length of thread:
"Yes. do expect so. She's so bold,
that Rob. never liked her,
"She is, rs you may say, Eighty, but
! reckon she'll get a husband, no matter
what is said about her, Mrs. Brazzle-
ton returned, with significant glance
in the direction Of Mrs. Winfield.
Just then Nina called from the door:
"Hush talkin, all Of you. Yonder comes
Rob McGregor."
The news was unwelcome. At least
two-thirds of the quilters indeed felt it
q distinct hardship, for with Rob visi-
bly, present they would be compelled to
discuss her aside. Everybody looked at
few faces were full of kindly pity. With
out exception they were those of moth
ers without daughters, either childless
or having only sons. One among them,
Mrs. Carter, who ranked socially with
Mrs. Talbot, got up and kissed Rob on
either cheek, saying, with little, visit
full smile:
"Come and sit here by me, honey. /
want somebody who is not too indus
trious for neighbor. +"
"Thanky, ma am, Aunty Carter, but
I can't. l am here just to say that
could not possibly COME" Rob said
brightly, yet clinging to the friendly
hand. She was too finely strung not to
feel the bridling and drawing away that
had marked her entrance. 1t was not
the first time, either. So far, secure in
the strength of innocence she had whis-
tied down the wind such hostile demon
stration, only wondering duly if it's &C.
casio1 was Mr.. Topmark's inthrallment
and the merry athletic madness which
possessed him. She was used to know
inC people talked about her, but unused
t. quite the faces that greeted her to-
cay.
Yet it was sense of this hostile at
mosphere which had brought her thus
among them. II will beard the Win.
folds in the face of all their world" she
had said, nodding to her image in the
glass. "I'm not a coward, whatever
other sins may lie at my door. I'll go
and excuse myself, then back to the
party. Jack-yes, he will be there. So
will Mr.. Topmark. pine to give him
one sharp snub right before Mrs. Win
folds face"
Now, while Mrs. Brazzleton and 9th
ers of her kidney stared, Rob stood
chatting gayly with Miss Winfold and
her mother. In little while she turned
to 60, saying over her shoulder:
"Look for me back at early candle
light. That's the time, isn't it, Mrs
Winfield? And, oh, ladies all, young and
old, almost forgot to tell You the great
news. Lawyer Howell from Oldbridge
is at the store-going to stay week
and shoot doves-and Teddy ran so
yards up the road to tell mo he would
surely be up here tonight. So you will
have another beau almost equal to Mr.
Topmark"
"And of course You'll oaptivate him,
as you do all the rest" Miss Winfield
said, smiling amiably. Rob swept her
q laughing courtesy.
81 shall DO my poor BEST" she said.
"And I have got half new frock to
wear-a white waist TO 60 with my
blue skirt-the blue tLat made me look
always like Pawnee Indian. Not that
4 ever saw Pawnee, but fancy they
are hideous enough for anything"
GAS if it mattered what you put onl"
Miss Winfield murmured. Her mother
tried to mask sniff as playful smile
and succeeded very i'll, and Rob, wicked
Rob, turned and ran away, singing
clear and gay, as though she had not
care in life:
"Father an mither an a may gae mad,
But whistle, an Ill come to ye, my lad"
fro BE CONTINUED.