The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1900-04-07

which still bore the traces OF hel
weeping, and she tried to smile at
him, but her eyes filed with tears.
The young man noticed her emotion,
but was too busy to go over and i'll
ouire into the cause Of it for several
hours. When he did so she had re-
covered her selfpossession and merely
laughed away his inquiries. When
Frank received her little note, how
ever, lie began to understand that
something was worrying her and he
resolved to discover the cause, of her
/ depression. During the days which
followed, however, Molly avoided him
constantly, and he felt that he must
have offended her in some manner or
other, when he overheard little con-
versation between another girl and
her which enlightened him wonder
fully. 1t was the day OF the party,
and all the girls were chattering about
it upon every opportunity.
"Say, Molly" whispered one Of the
girls to Molly, as the two were sorting
ont some of their stock towards the
close Of the day, "what are yon going
to wear tonight"
''l'm not going" Molly replied,
with little catch in her voice.
"Not going? Come, now, that's
too bad. Didn't you get bid?'
Yes"
"TheE why don't you go?" was the
astonished question.
because + have no fit Dress
Molly replied, the tears standing in
her eyes. II won't go in debt for
anything, and you know l have moth
ing except what I earn, since my
brother died last winter.
"Oh, that's too al, " returned her
companion, carelessly, turning away
to wait upon customer, and Molly,
after making q dab or two at her eyes,
continue her work, unaware that
Frank had been listening to her little
confession. A few moments later she
was waiting upon a disagreeable Gus
toner, and he was calling 10 the cash
girls to hurry, vet he managed to give
her IA 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 Que call her name and,
hooking around, saw Frank. Her
cheek flushed, and she looked as
though she would have liked to have
run from him, He gave her another
tender look, saying, as he took her
hand aud drew it through his arm
"Why didn't you tell me your rea-
son for not accepting my inyitation?"
BECAUSE" Molly began, and then
hesitated.
IT know what it was. heard you
telling Nelly this afternoon Frank
continued, looking down at her blush
ing face.
ooh, gracious" Molly said. half
crying. 81 wouldn't have had you
know it for anything"
''And why not?'
Because | 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? It is a good
deal more to your credit that you
weren't willing to make your landlady
wait for her money so you could have
new dress, than ii you had cheated
her. I'd sooner starve myself than
do as most the fellows do go into
debt as deeply as they can; 50 you see
[ admire Just that quality in you.
"Well, it's the right thing to do"
Molly replied. softly.
Indeed it is, and now l want you
to do me favor, will you?'
'Of course.
''I want you to go home and put on
whatever dress you have, no matter
what it is, and III bring you some
roses and we'll go to that party. No
matter what your dress is, you will be
the prettiest girl there, to me at least.
VIII you?"
70 her surprise Molly said yes, and