The Delta independent., 1899-12-15

hoped the young man vas - SOD
looking. and made up her mind that
she would get . glimpse of his face b.
fore he left. Just then he turned and
looked at her. and she perceived with
| poignant blending Of pain and de-
light that 1t was Allen Darrov.
She had no desire then to wait upon
the pretty girl or upon her laughing
companion. Her one thought vas to
get away. But Allen Darrow had rec
ognized her, and, with . word Of apoi-
ogy to the girl by his side. he fastened
to Mile. holding out his hand for
| hearty greeting.
will you not let me INTRODUCES Miss
FerEuson?" he inquired. Mile gave
consent. and the two girls chatted To-
gether with every outward appearance
| Of cordiality-a cordiality which was
NO doubt genuine with Miss Fergu-
son.
You were looking at the white satin
Ribbon" ventured Mile at length. with
a sort OF obstinate pride in her vocA-
tion. Did you wish to purchase
| some:"
A covert smile duttered about the
young mans lips. and then Mile
blushed at the knowledge of the trans
parency Of her motives. As usual. Al
len Darrow understood her perfectly.
Formerly this had been = pleasure:
now she would have preferred to in
dulge in reserve.
Yes" Miss Ferguson replied to NIL
lies question. We want some white
/
We. Mr.. Darrow!"
Indeed. We do" he responded laugh
ing. "A wedding in which one or the
other Of US IL much interested. Il
won't say which one"
Il should hope both OF US we're In
terested In IT," cried Miss Ferguson.
saucily.
They got the ribbon and went away.
and after they had gone the sense OF
her poverty and loneliness and need
for monotonous work rushed over Nil
lie. and swallowed up all her cheer and
youth for the time being. As 4 cold
storm OF the night seems suddenly to
extinsuish the summer. and to leave
only brown leaves and dead fields be-
hind II. That night she could not
bring herself to dress for dinner. and
to indulge in her usual little dissipa-
ton in the way OF conversation with
the young men she met at the board
ing house. She got . dismal little
meal on her oil stove. and went to bed
early. to toss till dawn. and 90. arising
late. vas behindhand At the store. The
work had never before seemed SO re-
pulsive. She fancied herself getting
horrid littls tricks Of manner like
Imagined that she vas already growing
plain and dull.
In the midst OF this deep depression.
vhen all the store looked gray and
eoofusing. and ths words oe her fellow
workers souaAsA strange and foreign
to her ear. sAs heard some one iaauir-
lag fpe hsr. II was a American Dis
trtee 1saagraDA boy. vttA . DaekA0a.
A ssA1ea sAals q aatieiDatioa Dlsres1
Miles laadsa heart. Ne slgA01 the
book with trenbainS Ansers. and broks
opea the strings on the box witAin
we're exposed 70 view the most glorious
American beauty roses she had ever
seen. They we're not like other roses.
They we're gioriaed eowers, and in the
midst OF them vas . little white note.
NY dear Niss Duncaa," II read. An
not to have the great pleasure OF call
ing upon you! I confess I have not
tried to And where you were because
was really hurt asd offended that you
left Two Rivers without sayinS good
By to me. or letting me know that you
we're going away. But now that have
seen you I can feel NO oRsnse. think
I understAnd the motives that led you
to do a. you did. l do not knov how
to b sudsciently thankful that I veat
With Miss Ferguson to buy thoss we'd
her wedding. which 10 to occur next
Saturday. She 10 to marry one Of my
best friends. and A. foed OF her and
glad that you two met But how
an running on! You 80 I want %
much to talk With yoa that I cannot
stop. Kindly let ~ know vhers aAd
when I may call. AHd I viii b fraak
asd confess that ny cali b 1oe to b
one OF ordinary iDportancs to myself.
II will Be the most important visit I
ever made to aay o0s. a. 0llsd At
once with anticipation and dread. But
I viii not let the drsad get uppsrDost
I iasist that ~ heart shall sing I
iasist that NJ fAts b to - fortDaats,
and that after the visit shall b svea
happier tAan I An sov-aDd I a.
happy. for have foand yoa asaia-
Yours always. Allen Darrov."
when Mile looked up froa rsadias
the letter the stors was 10 loaser gray.
A sort OF golden glory rested over ev.
erythins. and she turned with eager.
ness to . customer.
'Bsrat oraAes ribbon No. 8: Ysa.