The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-28

Che shade, bless mel He might have been
womanl Who wss Y for. ! wonderr"
"I'm fond Of that color he had said,
as Ellen measured and cut the yard and a
half off, adding, In his frank, outspoken
way, "Do you ever wear ID, missf"
"Oh, no. she answered hurriedly, "ool-
ors don't suit me-"
"I'm thinking as ye're wrong there"
he replied. PPM But customer at
that moment coming in, Darnley had "a
ken the ribbon up and departed. :
The next day was Sunday, and, as usu-
al, Ellen had seated herself in her dull
little parlor, though the sun was shining
invitingly, and the world was astir. 1t
was one of those delicious summer days,
with cool, gentle breeze to temper the
sun. There would be so many couples
aching for want Of air, but she told her
self sit was easier to be lonely indoors"
so indoors she would stay.
A knock at the door startled her-it was
a most unusual thing, and on Sunday,
too, and on going to the door and opening
1t she saw Dick Darnley standing out
sido. There he stood for moment, with
out saying word, and then he burst out:
'It's mighty difficult getting word
with you on weekdays, and l want to
know il you'll come out a-walking along
with me; it's real fine, and the country
is just looking grand"
"out walking with you!"-her face
aglow with color.
"Yes' eagerly want you to,
mighty bad. Amt you guessed what's
brought me to the shop all these weekss
And amt / been fair puzzled what to
buyp Didn't you see my meaning as
clear as though words had said itp Amt
you guessed want you to keep company
along with me9 Why, bless you, wanted
none of the things, 'cept the pink ribbon,
that's fancy that s took hold of me, and
But don't you stand in the street. jest
you come out walking, and I'll tell you
all about pink ribbon and who's got to
wear IT..
To go out walking and with Dick
Darnley, the beau of the PLACED
Ellen's heart fairly reeled. Why, there
were many young and bonny girls who
would give their eyes to receive such an
invitation. And sho went back into the
house to put on her hat, while Dick stood
whistling at the door. Her heart beat
wildly, her fingers trembled. tits come"
sho whispered to herself, "but Pm too old
now, and dare say it's dreadful stupid at
my age. Yet it would just be like tearing
my heart out to refuse to go out walking,
and with him too. I'll go this once, and
then it will be something to look back up
on" But the once became twice, thrice,
and the man would take no refusal. He
arrived each Sunday afternoon. How the
people stared-ah, and talked, as weeks
went by and this strangely assorted couple
were to be seen out walking.
"She must be years older than him."
said one; another, ~ guess it's one of
Dicks pranks," and many other remarks
were made, which wcro carefully repeated
to Ellen, in whose sensitive heart they
scorchod and burned like fire. And If Dick
hadn't been very firm and determined she
would have refused to go out walking any
more.
"They're right. I'm too old, !" she would
humbly say.
Let me answer them" he cried fierce
ly. Don't you heed them. There's not
one of them as could touch you. Come,
Nell"-the audacious shortening of her
namo fairly took her breath AWAY
want you just to Wear this, my girl With
tho pink round your throat you will look
like queen "-dawing the ribbon out of
his pocket. at is n fancy of mine, and it
shall bo our engagement sign"
at do seem silly at my ago"-tlmidly
Don't you talk no more about your
age, but put it OH. don't say us haven't
looked at a girl or two afore, but when
seed you-well, looked twice, nay, new
er have left off looking, and wants to
SEQ you with tho knot of pink ribbon. l
am waiting, Nell, my L. c."
And without another word the woman
fastened the ribbon round her throat, and
remarkably well 1t suited her, setting off
her hair and eyes, and while her lover re-
gurded her with loving, honest eyes, she
lifted hers humbly up to his, thinking it
was the token of the Almighty love in
sending this brightness into her lonely life.
'That old thing decked out in pink rib
bon!" was what many people said. 1t was
absurd and ridiculous to them but to the
giver and wearer it meant SO much. So,
what did it matter what Others thought
Folks at Home.