Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-04-05

continued her work, unaware that
Frank had been listening to her little
confession. A few moments later she
was waiting upon disagreeable Gus
toner, and he was calling to the cash
girls to hurry, vet he managed to give
her q tender, bright smile as he passed,
that lifted the heavy cloud which was
hanging over her, and she started
for home with an almost light heart.
AS she was hurrying along the street
she heard some one call her name and,
looking around, saw Frank. Her
cheek flushed, and she looked as
though she would have liked to have
run from him. He gave hc- another
tender look. saying. as he took her
hand and drew it through his arm
'Why didn't you tell me your rea-
son for not accepting my invitation?"
Because, Molly began, and then
hesitated.
II know what it was. heard you
telling Nelly this afternoon" Frank
continued, looking down at her blush
ing face.
''Oh, gracious!' Molly said, hall
crying. ''I wouldn't have had yor
know IL Tor anything.
"And why not?"
because I wouldn't Molly re.
turned, striving to draw her hand
away from his arm.
''You are silly" Frank said, with
considerable energy. ''Is there any
disgrace in being poor? 1t is good
deal more to your credit that you
weren't willing to make your landndy
wait for her money SO you could have
n new dress, than if you had cheated
her. I'd sooner starve myself than
do as most the fellows do go into
debt as deeply as they can; so you see
I admire .ust that quality in you
''Well, it's the right thing to do,
Molly replied. softly.
Indeed it is, and now I want you
to do me favor. will you?"
''Of course"
81 want you to go home and put on
whatever dress you have, no matter
what it is, and I'll bring you some
roses and we'll go to that party. Nc
matter what your dress is, you will be
the prettiest girl there, to me at least.
Will you?"
To her surprise Molly said yes, and
hurried along, her heart beating so
hard she could hear it.
Without waiting for any dinner sh,
rushed up to her room and again took
out the despisel dress. At night per-
haps it wouldn't look so awsully bad,
she though, as she shook it out and
began to sponge the stains, aud by
the time she had pressed it with hot
iron she begged from the cook, it
really was improved. Removing the
soiled chiff9n she replaced it with a
little lace, cheap and somewhat torn,
but clean, and when she added bow
of ribbon to hide the mended place in
the skirt Molly felt that it looked al
most like a new dress. She had scarce.
ly finished dressing when Frank ar
rived, and putting on her wraps she
ran down to meet him, her face flushed
and her eyes sparkling. No one was
in the hall as she came down, and
Frank bent and kissed the face which
had become SO dear to him, saying as
he did So
"You know that I love you, don't
you?" and Molly could only look her
answer.
When they reached the hall where
the dance was to be held, Frank gave
her large bunch of flowers he had
been carrying and left her at the door
of the dressing g-room. A few moments
later he called for her and started
when he saw what transformation
happiness aud a dozen roses had
LoI
cluster of them in the torn lace, their
glossy leaves and velvety petals hid
ing all deficiencies OF the trimming,
while one of them nestled in her soft
brown hair. Her cheeks glowed like
companion roses, and her eyes were
like stars. He said nothing, but
Molly knew by his admiring look that
he would not be ashamed and she felt
satisfied.
After spending the most enjoyable
evening of her life. Molly said. as she
and Frank were walking to the street
cars
'Tve had the best time I eve,
had"
"Have you dear?" Frank returned,
pressing her arm TO his side. ''Are
you willing to make me the happiest
man in the world?" and his voice
trembled as he looked down at the
little figure.
"How?" Molly whispered. without
looking up.
''By promising to marry me-" he
returned, and Molly's answer must
have satisfied him. for he said as they
parted on the steps of the boarding
house
.'Now mind, Molly, this dress must
be kept Well put it under glass
and keep it the parlor, won't we,
dearest?" and Molly answered, as she
unlocked the door
"les, we'll keep it, for it showed
me that you care for me and not for
my clothes.
ny,C