The sun., 1900-12-25

pearl box, her one valuable treasure. Il
don't often take them out" she said,
"for the dust gifts in the pictures. Now
this is mothers picture;" taking out an
old daguerrotype; 1T was taken when
she was on to Boston soon after she was
married and here's pa and that's me"
opening another case and displaying
face of cheerful child, but showing
traces of a likeness even now to the tall
lone looking woman past fifty, "and
here's brother and father together. You
see | take after father, I am big and
heavy, and William is like mothers folks
short and thin," she said as she begun
TO put the dagueerotypes away. Sarah
Newhall fingered over the picture of
I Sarah Ellen. 1t was a most flower like
face of a young child in a quaint dress.
| There was a look in the eyes of anticipa-
ton and joy. A far off look that sought
| the horizon. One often sees it i'll stud
ents and lovers of book-lore and Sarah
Elen's grandfather had been a man of
some learning in these parts and the
child without ever having chance to de-
velop that longing within her had quiet
serious nature that under favorable cir
cumstances would have grown into a
great character. When the family pict-
ures We're again wrapped up and put
back in the box the little social group
began to make ready to go.
"Won't you set little longer" said
Sarah Ellen Hospitality.
"No thank you, we have had beauti-
full afternoon 'and after formal adieus
the little party filed out into the crisp
evening air. Alvira Newhall remained.
"I'll just stay and help you clear away
the things" she said. "a party like
this does muss up things powerful bit
| know" Up the lane the little group of
women We're plodding their way against
the bitter cold wind. "Well, / do de-
clare" said Miss Delahan, "Sarah Ellens
parties are always nice but she is gettin'
quieter and quieter every day. ! should
think she would be lonely living there by
herself and she does not seem to want
much company. She has never asked
the minister to stay to tea, but she is q
lgood woman and minds her own business
and is God-fearin' and mighty tender
hearted when the children are sick in
the village
"Didn't she act queer" said Miss
Bowden, ''about that blue poplin.
would mighty much like to know where
she got it for have never seen anything
/ like it about Newtonville. Funny she
/ didn't tell u.s. Meantime Sarah Ellen
and her guest were tidying up. They put
| the china away, fixed the fire, put out tht
lamp in the best room and then mounted
, the creaky old stairs to get Elvra's bon
; net and cape. All the while Sarah ElleI
had preoccupied air and she was absen
!, minded and didn't answer two or thre,
i questions Elvira put to her about he
! prize chickens and the last batch of kit
1 | tens. Suddenly she walked toward tn
i spare room door and then turned an,
I said, "Elvira Nehall l have just beel
q Il maxim up my mind to show you some
q thin l kinda feel lonely tonight; don
often feel that way, but you know m
= and guess I'll-well l guess Elyira II
: Just show you somethin" and she pulle
the little roll of blue poplin from he
II apron pocket. "See that? That Elvir
q Newhall is a piece OF my weddin' dres
. and / wasn't going to let Miss Delaha
7 put her scissors in it no how"
k "Wedding dress! Sarah Ellen are yo
d. crazy?"
n sNo aint,n said Sarah Ellen defantl,
.'You just set down and I'll show you.
et Her eyes glistened and there was n ne'
y spring IN her step. She went into tn
IS spare chamber and presently returne
p carrying big box under her arm and pr
II it down on the bed and began to take il
t. muslin cover off and then under the Ii
Y were layers of tissue paper strips {
lr white muslin and lunches of dried swet
TX layendar and from underneath all peepe
a the blue poplin frock. "That's it, loo
n there" she said, her eyes fairly on fiji
IN and q strange pallor in her wrinkle
cheeks. She lifted the gown with a
k most caress. Elvira Newhall 81
" breathless.
40 "Your weddin' dress! Why Sarah E
ur len do TELL"
lg The old maid glanced carefully abou
tiptoed to the doorSand shut and latch'
en- it though there was no breathing thir
nd lin the house save Ceasar. the old c
M