The Burke County news. [volume] (Morganton, N.C.) 1899-1901, 1899-08-04

~ A"o u was strange about that,
too he had added thoughtfuIly.
Elizabeth Ann had wondered how he
hat tried to make it up, but had not
liked to ask.
Did you see him on his own side
before you came back asked Miss
Minerva when Elizabeth Ann went
bach to her interrupted dishwashing.
"les'm," answered Elizabeth Ann.
Nasty little beast,'eiaculated 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.
III everything's done you may have
the afternoon to YOURSELF" said Miss
Minerva, who was now TRANQUILITY
knitting, and Peter curled up on a
cushion near her.
Elizabeth Ann stood awhile looking
out of the window. She was unde-
cided whether to go down to the fence
and talk with Mr.. Dobbs or to o up
to the attic. But she saw that it was
beginning to rain, and reflected that
Mr.. Dobbs would not continue hoeine.
Tor he had been having rheumatic
twlnges lately. SO with some regret,
she decided Iii favor of the attic, for.
great as were the charms which the
latter place had for her, MI. Dobbs'
society possessed a stronger attraction.
He told her such interesting stories
and listened to all of her condolences
SO attentively, and he never told her
not to be foolish, as Miss Minerva had
done when she had ventured to COM
municate her thoughts to her.
Don't get into mischief Miss
Minerva called out AS Elizabeth Ann
left the room.
There was an old-fashioned trunk
Of odds and ends which Miss Minerva
had 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 embroi-
derry, some buQches Of artificial flowers
and various other articles of ~cast-off
tinery. 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. 1t was soft
and fine, and of beautiful coloring;
the ends deeply fringed. Elizabeth
Ann gave an exclamation of delight.
She had a passion for rich solors. and
this was the most beautiful thing she
had ever seen. Severe piainness of
dress was part of Miss Minerva's
creed.
Elizabeth Ann smoothed ont the
soft folds again and again. 1t would
How had her aunt ever thrown it
aside? She passed it about her waist
and tied it in a bow with loops that
fell to the bottom of hen skirt. A ray
of sunlight flashed through the attic
window. Why, it had not rained much
after all. She would u down to the
orchard and see if Mr.. Dobbs were
ont. 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
a side door. If Miss Minerva saw
her with the scarf on, she would tell
her not to be foolish.
Miss Minerva was still knitting
rlacidly 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 liz her chair. Mr.. Dobb'
crossing the yard. He came on Will
a long, rapid stride that in a 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 colo
;,,rrr He hold q CAV colOred sill