The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-07-26

OF ribbons and lace, ends Of embroi
dery, some lunches OF artificial flowers
aud various other articles of cast off
iinery. Under all, on the bottom OF
the trunk, something was folded In
white tissue paper. Elizabeth Ann
opened II aud long Roman scarf fell
out in glistening folds. ~ was soft
aud fine, aud Of beautiful coloriug;
the ends deeply fringed. Elizabeth
| Ann gave mn exclamation OF delight.
She hnd n 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 Aun smoothcd ont tho
soft folds again aud again. II would
make such lovely sash, she thought.
| How Ind her aunt ever thrown 10
asideP Sho passed IL about her waist
and tied II in bow with loops that
fell 10 the bottom Of her skirt. A ray
of sunlight flashed through the attic
window. Why. IL had not rniued much
after all. She would run down tu the
orchard aud SEQ If Mr.. Dobbs we're
u
Dobbs liked pretty things too. SO
she crept quietly down stairs nud
avoiding tho sitting room went ont of
n side door. II Miss Minerva saw
her with the scarf ON, she would tell
her not to he foolish.
Miss Minerva was still knitting
placidly and Peter purred at her feet,
when, CHANGING to glance out
of tho window, she boheld n sight
which made her suddenly sit up stin
and erect in her chair. Mr.. Dobbs
crossing the yard lie came on with
n 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 II
back ms ! asked you, aud then I'd IA
known--and not waited aud waited ns
| did for monthsp" he asked reproach
full y, as he looked alternately at the
scarf and Miss Minerva.
The latter made no answer, and Mr..
Dobbs went on: sour not agreein'
on sprinklin' or 'mersion made no
difference. When man asks woman
to marry him he naturally looks for
an aaswer."
Miss Minerva now found voice.
Jonathan Dobbs, will you tell me
what all this meansp" she asked,
frigidly.
lie 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. ~ don't know
what you are talking about. Send IL
back? / never saw the thing before"
SIS that really 80, Minerva2" he
asked, eagerly.
"lts pot my habit to lic," replied
Miss Minerva, icily.
"l've often had misgivings that
there wns some mistake. never had
the courage to ask you about II, for
you know how you treated NO when
we met. Turning away your head
onJ
Miss Minerva rose impaticntly.
"Nhat are you talking about? What
have ] TO do with that silk thingp"
"Woll, Minerva, I'll go over the
wkole thing s'pose you remember
our argument about baptizin'. talked
the way did just to tease you, but
you took it all for earnest. Now, |
had had il in mind for n long time to
ask you certain question and day
or two after our misunderstanding /
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 / Just
thought I'd buy one and send it to
you aud at the same time ask you that
question. | 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 il not
to send it back But you didn't wear
it to meotin aud 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 a little flush in
her cheeks.
81 never had note from you and I
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 l was
out aud he left them with her. You
know what scatter-brain she is"
The color had deepened in Miss
Minerva's cheeks and there was none
of her accustomed severity of manner.
She looked 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 aud -
elizabeth Ami" repeated Miss
Minerva.
"Never mind about her, Minerva
Will you take it? You know the con-
ditions."
"It is n GOOD ouality of silk 4" aha