Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-04-09

oSib5 INV eAO SaOiu, ouS WIN
from hole in the wall stocking,
the contents of which ratified merri-
ly. She emptied it into her lap.
"Three dollars an sixty cents"
she said, land Jefferson going to
town tomorrow. Ill show Ishmael
moon if I'm so poor and miserable
She replaced the hoard, saying
nothing more until Jefferson was
ready to depart for town early on
the following morning. Then she
produced it, much to his surprise.
"It's three dollars an sixty cents,'
she said, grandly. "You take it
an bring me a hat from town. A
real gay one, Jefferson. l don't
care if it takes every cent. No black
about it an lots of purple flowers
an guess some pink; yes, few
pink flowers, tool IL want it to
look real happy, you know
While he slowed the money away
she deity retied his necktie and adj
justed bis corduroy cap at better
angle.
Gall right" be said, as be remov.
ed his hat and replaced it as before.
"Where'd you get all that money p
Made it berrying last summer. I'd
meant to keep it till / had enough
to buy sewing machine or parlor
organ, maybe, but I need the hat to
wear tomorrow. Now, don't forget
it, Jeff.'
81 won't / won't"
He moved hastily to the door,
| fearful Of some wifely reminder OF
past forgetfulness.
When he reached the bend in the
road her fresh young voice followed
him:
"Purple flowers, JEFF no black
and little" but he was plainly
out of hearing.
She went indoors and freshened
up her best dress as we'll as she
| could she must look her best to-
morrow.
1t was late when Jefferson return
ed, and Rosalba had been to the
door and even to the bend in the
road several times. When he final.
ly came, she had gone to the spring.
1t was some time before the mo.
mentous question of the hat was
mentioned. Rosalba dreaded lest
he had forgotten it, and dared not
put her hopes and fears to the test
of a direct question. Jefferson ate
his supper, telling of his talk with
the man who could help him to pat
ent his new machine, if he would.
Finally he said:
Eyer hats on the bed, in bundle,
Rosalba. | was in sech hurry 10
get home and tell you about it got
a mile out Of town. l went back,
though, and got the very thing the
woman in the store said So"
Rosalba lighted another lamp and
slowly unwrapped her treasure.
When it appeared, she screamed and
dropped it on the bed. 1t was black
with few, sparse purple flowers,
and might Lave been suitable for her
mother, though more SO for her
grandmother.
"lVhat's the matter r. Jefferson
asked, innocently. "You said black
with purple flowers, didn't yer"
When Rosalba arose the next
morning, after sleepless night, her
mind was made up she would leave
Jefferson. If he could not remem.
Der little thing to please her, she
would be better off at home, she
reasoned.
Jefferson was plainly uneasy he
brought in wood and kindling and
vent to the spring for water unask-
ed.
When be came back, he could
hear Rosalba moving about, collect
ing ler belongings, and his heart
was very heavy within bin. RosalE
ba's tears were falling fast. She
could hear Ishmael Moons queries
as to her absence and his wife's re-
mark that she probably had no
clothes to wear. That stung her as
if she had actually heard it.
When her neat bundle was ready
she stood looking about the room
where she had been SO happy.
Across her mind came the memory
of the day when jefferson had
brought her home a bride.
"And | expected to be so happy,
she murmLred. SNOW
A voice broke on Der ear; it be-
loDsed to Mr.. Salt.
Il jest stopped 10 tell Sc Tie news :
he said. "There won't BE- no preach
in at Bear Greek t'day. IshmaeI
Moon was asked to preach over Da
! Wis way, and his aifc made him &c