Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-04-20
A ROMAN SCARF.

her spectacles and peered out or the
window.
The door leading into the kitchen
was open and Elizabeth Ann had seen
Miss Minerals agitation. II wonder
what 1t Is this time" she muttered, as
she poured hot water into pan. pre-
paratory to washing the dinner dishes.
"Yes'm," she answered in response
to Miss Minerals excited call OF "Eliz-
abeth Ami"
THAT horrid dog from the next
place is chasing Peter. Run and put
the little beast out"
AS Elizabeth Ann crossed the yard
a large black cat closely followed by
a Scotch terrier, whisked past her and
In at the kitchen door. The dog wagged
It's tail and frisked around Elizabeth
Ann.
"Oh, Flip, why do you worry poor
old Peter so? Go home. sir" she said
severely. The terrier trotted after her
to a remote corner of the yard, where
he submissively crept through gap
in the fence which separated Miss MI
nerva's property from the adjoining
place.
"A man at work on the other side
threw down his hoe and came up. He
was tall and spare and was clad in blue
Jeans trousers and checked shirt
Flip trespassin' again?" he asked.
HE was chasin' Peter" said Eliz-
abeth Ann. 1T was the chickens this
morning, Mr.. Dobbs.:"
Keeps you pretty busy, doesn't it,"
Elizabeth Ann laughed. Il don't
mind it, it's fun" she said.
she always dia set great store by
Peter, but Flip can't abide him. Still
he wouldn't hurt the critter.
Miss Minerva doesn't like dogs"
said Elizabeth Ann, laughing again.
Mr.. Dobbs chuckled Il reckon it's
more the dogs owner that she doesn't
like" he said.
Il must go back" said Elizabeth
Ann, in regretful tone. "Good-by, for
now, Mr. Dobbs"
Mighty interestin' child for only be-
in II, too" said Mr.. Dobbs, reflective
ly, stroking his grizzled beard, as he
looked after Elizabeth. Wonder
what Minerva Collins d say II she
knew me and her is such friends"
AS he resumed his hoeing his
thoughts went back to the years when
the relations between him and Miss
Minerva had not been in their pres
ent strained condition; to that unlucky
evening when a discussion arose as to
the proper mode Of baptism. He had
contended that sprinkling was suffi-
cient, and Miss Minerva had held out
for immersion. That was long before
Elizabeth Ann had come to live with
her aunt. Mr.. Dobbs had often tod
her about the quarrels.
And she's never taken any notice OF
me since. / tried once to make it up.
And 1t was strange about that too,
he had added, thoughtfully. Elizabeth
Ann had wondered how he had tried
to make it up, but had not liked to
ask.
did you see him on his own side be-
fore you came back?" asked Miss Mi
nerva when Elizabeth Ann went back
to her interrupted dish washing.
'Yes'm," answered Elizabeth Ann.
Nasty little beast~ CALCULATED Miss
Minerva
When the last dish had been placed
in the closet and the kitchen put IN
spotless order, Elizabeth Ann went
into the sitting-room.
IF everything's done you may have
the afternoon to yourself" said Miss
Minerva, who was now TRANQUILITY knit
ting, and Peter curled up on a cush-
ion near her.
Elizabeth Ann stood a while look
ing out Of the window. She was I'M
decided whether to go down to the
fence and talk with Mr. Dobbs or go
up to the attic. But she saw that it
was beginning to rain, and reflected
that Mr. Dobbs would not continue
hoeing, for he had been having rheu-
matte twinges lately. So, with some
regret, she decided in favor of the
attic, for, great as were the charms
which the latter place had for her,
Mr.. Dobbs' society possessed a
stronger attraction. He told her such
interesting stories and listened to all
Of her condolences so attentively. and
ub never lOlQ uer UOL TO be foolish,
as Miss Minerva had done when she
had yentured TO communicate her
thoughts to her.
Don't get into mischief" Miss Mi
nerva called out as Elizabeth Ann left
the room.
There was an old-fashioned trunk Of
odds and ends which Miss Minerva
hSd told her she could have to play
with, provided "she kept them tidily."
elizabeth Ann had not yet explored
to the bottom OF the trunk. She would
do so today. There were pieces OF
ribbons and lace, ends of embroidery.
some punches OF artificial flowers and
various other articles Of cast-off fin
cry. Under all, on the bottom OF the
trunk, something was folded in white
tissue paper. Elizabeth Ann opened II
and long Roman striped silk scarf
fell out in glistening folds 1t was
soft and fine, and OF beautiful color
ing; the ends were deeply fringed
Elizabeth Ann gave an exclamation of
delight She had n passion for rich
rOIorc apd fbio mac tba p,ngt haa,,At