Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-26

fashion, and it was the prou6>st moment OF
my life when Grandma Steele laid her hand
on my yellow head and said, quietly:
my boy! My little protector! | thank
you"
Mr. Steele came in shortly after that.
Grandma Steele met him at the door, and
his order to Pompey, as l went home, was:
1--WE are not at home tonight, Pompey."
That same month | went to boarding
school, carrying my ladys color with me,
in the shape of pink hair ribbon Mary had
worn on New Years day. Surely, there
never was a prouder knight than |.
Year by year the good old custom dwin-
died. killed by just such sights az had dis
gusted my young soul The gorgeous toi-
lettes moderated to modest gowns. Luxu-
rious tables shrank to trays OF cakes and
wine, or cakes and coffee. Men walked, or
rode in street cars, to pay their calls. Fam
| lily reunions began to be popular Still
made my annual call on Mary and her
mother, and grew no nearer
The stately Grandma had passed away,
| and Mary sometimes wore her pearl-set
miniature. Then my home was desolated.
Ny mothers death left me sad indeed. Mr..
Steele was a kind friend in my trouble,
and when the worst was past Mrs. Steele
showed herself still merry, childlike, and
young. Mary, alone, | could not fathom.
| had been in Paris two years, and had
corresponded with Mary in fraternal fash
ion for more than twelvemonth; when |
suddenly wrote an impassioned letter, tell
ing her of my life's love, and imploring her
to be my wife.
She responded briefly, and in the tone
used through all her letters: 81 thank you
for the high compliment" she wrote, "but
why not keep on in our old friendly way"
This was too much. | was hurt deeply,
never answered her letter, and resolved to
keep aloof, now and forever. Toward the
end of December l became uneasy, and re-
solved to go home, or, at least, to old
New York. We landed on New Years eve,
and on New Years morning, as the bells
Of St. Margaret's were Ginning for serv-
ice | found myself opposite Mary's house,
looking over at the old place, with the same
old boyish interest.
What a change from the old days! Every
shade of every house on the block entirely
covered its window, and on each bell-pull
was tiny basket fastened with q bunch of
gay ribbons | was indignant. "a nice way
that" | argued, mentally, "to treat visitors
on New Years day" A closed house. in
deed! 1t should open to me! And that
basket! Probably it was the gift of some fond
lover, like the Mayday baskets of the olden
time. Tied with Mary's favorite color, too!
Very well | would take it down and offer
her my congratulations, when l handed her
the basket!
SO | mounted the steps and gave the
bell knob vigorous pull. Old Pompey
opened the door. He knew me at once,
and smiled broadly, as he said:
Miss Mary she'll be delighted. Disvisit's
so on-reglar jes whut she likes"
When Mary came, she seemed a little
tremulous and confused. l remembered
the basket 1t had fallen to the floor.
pounced upon it viciously. In it lay a
card
"Mr. Stewart Kingsley"
MARY" l gasped; "surely you are never
going to marry the man who insulted your
mother u years ago." and l held up the
card before her astonished eyes.
"You silly boy" said she, and with that
years vanished we were young again.
This" shaking the basket, "is the way
people receive to-day. We put out our
: basket, and anyone who wishes may drop
his card in it,"
"Then he did not send the basket?"
"Oh, moi" laughed Mary.
, "Well," said |, what silly fashion; to
/ tie five yards of ribbon to ones bell.handle,
, that friend may not pull it,"
e "No. Only two yards" said Mary.
Five" | protested, and then said:
/ "Come; let's measure it." So l took my
handkerchief to measure and finished
/ up the inches on the ribbon that hung
sfrom her belt. This brought us very
near each other; my hand trembled
. but / had gained a fine courage. A curl oi
, my yellow, tousled head brushed Mary:
cheek She flushed prettily, and, putting hel
arms about my neck, touched my lips light
>, ly with hers.
That was a mean trck!' l cried, de
!. lightedly, snatching my darling to my heart
"and I'll never speak to you again, unles:
you promise to repeat it every day of youl
n natural life"