Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-06-04

the shade, bless mel He might have beer
a womanl Who was it for, l wonderg"
I'm fond of that color" he had said,
as Ellen measured and cut the yard and
half off, adding in his frank, outspoken
way, " Do you ever wear it, miss?'
ooh, no." she answered hurriedly, "col
ors don't suit me"
"I'm thinking rs ye're wrong there, g."
he replied. "Im"- But customer at
that moment coming in Darnley had ia
ken the ribbon up and departed
The next day was sunday, and, as usu-
al, Ellen had seated herself i'm her dull
little parlor, though the sun was shining
invitingly, and the world was astr 1t
was one of those delicious summer days,
with a cool, gentle breeze to temper the
sun. There would be so many couples
about she couldn't bear it, Her head was
aching for want Of air, but she told her
self lit 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
it she saw Dick Darnlcy standing out
side. There he stood for a moment, with
out saying a word, and then he burst out:
Its mighty difficult getting a word
with you on weekdays, and l want to
know if you'll come out a-wallling along
with me; it's real fine, and the country
is just looking grand
"Out walking with your'-her face
aglow with color.
Yes - eagerly q want you to,
mighty bad. Amt you guessed what
brought me To the shop all these weeks?
And amt l been fair puzzled what to
buy? Didn't you see my meaning as
clear as though words had said it: Amt
you guessed | want you to keep company
along with nc: Why, bless you, | wanted
none of the things, cert the pink ribbon,
that's fancy that : TOOK held 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 20 out walking, and with Dick
Darnlcy, the beau of the place.
Ellcn's heart fairly r,olod Why, there
were many young and lonny girls who
would give their eyes to receive such an
invitation. And She went back into the
house to put on her hat, while Dick stood
whistling at the door. Her heart beat
wildly. her fingers trcmbled. Its come, 90
she Whispered to herself, "hut I'm too old
now, and ! dare say it $ dreadful stupid at
my age. Yet it would just be like tearing
my heart out to refuse To g out walking,
and with him too I'll 90 this once, and
then it will tc 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 starod-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. 50
said one; another, Il guess it's one Of
Dick FRANKS and many other remarks
were made, which were carefully repeated
to Ellen, in whose sensitive heart they
scorchcd and burned like fire. And if Dick
hadn been very firm and determined she
would have refused to 90 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 If them as could touch you. Come,
Nell ''-thc audacious shortening of her
name fairly took her breath away"
want you just to wear this, my girl. With
the pink round your throat you will look
like a queen '-drawing the ribbon out Of
his pocket 1T is fancy Of mine, and il
shall be our engagement sign
1T do seem silly at my agc'-tmidly.
Don't you talk no more about your
age, hut put it on. | don say as haven
looked at Il girl or two afore, bat when
seed you-wcll, l looked twice, nay, nev
or have left off looking, and l wants tC
see you with the knot of pink ribbon.
am waiting. Nell, my love. 80
And without another word the woman
fastened the ribbon round her throat and
remarkably well it suited her setting of
her hair and eyes, and while her lover re
garded her with loving, honest eyes Shit
lifted hers humbly up to his thinking il
was the token of the Almighty love il
sending this brightness into her lonely life
That old thing deckod out in pink rib
bon" was what many people said. 1t wa,
absurd and ridiculous to them, but to thu
giver and wearor it meant so much. So
what did it matter what Others thought.
Folks Mt Home.