Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-08-10

of ribbons an lace, ends of embroi-
derry, some punches of artificial flowers
and various other articles of cast-off
finery. Under all, on the bottom of
the trunk, something was folded in
white tissue paper. Elizabeth Ann
opened it and a long Roman scarf fell
out in glistening folds. It was soft
and fine, and of beautiful coloring;
the ends deeply fringed. Elizabeth
Ann gave an exclamation of delight.
She had passion for rich colors, and
this was the most beautiful thing she
had ever seen. Severe plainness of
dress was part of Miss Minerva's
creed.
Elizabeth Ann smoothed out the
soft folds again and again. 1t would
make such alovely sash, she thought.
How had her aunt ever thrown it
aside? She passed it about her waist
and tied it in bow with loops that
fell to the bottom of her skirt. A ray
of sunlight flashed through the attic
window. Why, it had not rained much
after all. She would run down to the
orchard and see if Mr. Dobbs were
out. She must show that scarf. Mr.
Dobbs liked pretty things too. SO
she crept quietly down stairs and
avoiding the sitting room went out of
side door. If Miss Minerva saw
her with the scarf on, she would tell
her not to be foolish.
Miss Minerva was still knitting
placidly and Peter purred at her feet,
when, CHANGING to glance out
of the window, she beheld a sight
which made her suddenly sit up stiff
and erect in her chair. Mr.. Dobbs
crossing the yard! He came on with
long, rapid stride that in few
moments brought him to the sitting
room door, which he opened after
warning knock. Miss Minerva turned
her stern gray eyes upon him in cold
inquiry. He held gay colored silk
scarf in his hand.
Minerva, why didn't you send it
back as l asked you, and then I'd "a
known--and not waited and waited as
did for months?" he asked reproach-
fully, as he looked alternately at the
scarf and Miss Minerva.
The latter made no answer, and Mr..
Dobbs went on: 'Our not agreein'
on sprinklin' or 'mersion made no
difference. When a man asks a woman
to marry him he naturally looks for
an answer"
Miss Minerva now found voice.
Jonathan Dobbs, will you tell me
what all this means?" she asked,
frigidly
He held out the scarf. "Why didn't
you send it back, if you didn't want
me?'
Miss Minerva stared at him in ever
growing astonishment. 'I don't know
what you are talking about. Send it
back? never saw the thing before"
us that really so, Minerva?" he
asked, eagerly.
"It's not my habit to lie," replied
Miss Minerva, icily.
'Ive often had misgivings that
there was some mistake. 1 never had
the courage to ask you about it, for
you know how You treated me when
we met. Turning away your head
and -
Miss Minerva rose impatiently.
w hue uic y ou w Hdb
have l to do with that silk thing?"
''Well, Minerva, I'll go over the
whole thing. s'pose you rem member
our argument about baptizin'. talked
the way l did just to tease you, but
you took it all for earnest. Now, 1
had had it in mind for long time to
ask you certain question and day
or two after our misunderstanding 1
was down to the city on business and
saw lot OF silk things like this in
shop window and the ladies was a-wear-
in them around their necks so 1 just
thought I'd buy one and send it to
you and at the same time ask you that
question. l writ little note and sent
it. 1t was tellin' you if you was will
in to be Mrs. Dobbs to wear it to
meetin' the next Sunday, and if not
to send it back. But you didn't wear
it to meetin and you didn't send it
back.
AS Miss Minerva listened, her stern
face relaxed and softened light shone
in her eyes. Before Mr.. Dobbs had
finished she turned her gaze to the
window and there was little flush in
her cheeks.
81 never had note from you and l
never saw that scarf BEFORE" she said
quickly.
II sent them by the hired man.
'"That was the summer Cousin Matte
Simmons was with me. Likely was
out and he left them with her. You
know what scatter-brain she is. :"
The color had deepened in Miss
Minerals cheeks and there was none
of her accustomed severity of manner.
She looked d wn at the scarf in Mr.
Dobbs' hand. "But where did you
get it now?" she asked suddenly.
Elizabeth Ann found it in your
attic and l.
elizabeth Ami" repeated Miss
Minerva.
"Never mind about her, Minerva
Will you take it? You know the con-
ditions.
cit is good quality of silk" she
said, quietly. ''But you know, Jona-