The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
A Little Hair Ribbon,
BY SOPHIE HAMMOND.

BY SOPHIE HAMMOND.
Copyright, 1902 by Daily Story Pub. Coz
A garden in old Annapolis. crowded with
blooms and fragrance; a child upon
rustic bench with lapful of flowers and
a busy. serious face; boy on the wall
above, morosely watching ner-ihese are
what the June sun Shone down rpon,
The child's eager fingers ilaG Getty
put the flowers together. and one hand
dragged the pink ribbon from her hair;
With an effort of generosity she selected
a sprig of hel!otrope from the rest.
You may have that, Tom she said,
tossing l. upon the wall
The ribbon tied about 't9 stems. and
the arrangement held out for moment $
| inspection. she sprang to her feet, and
running dcwn the path and up the steps
OF the veranda, pushed open the green
shattered door of the hall.
At the farther end her father was TAX
| ing leave of a tWo-dayS' guest-a Dung
man in a scarlet uniform and much gold
| lace whose horses and servant stood at
| the steps. The little girl went forward
| swiftly and held out the flowers to the
visitor. looking shylv up into his face.
The young soldier took them gcllsntiy.
This Is indeed an honor he said, with
| a quick smile-"a posey from the fairest
! lady in all this fair province. Mistress
Betty may be sure they shall be among
my treasured possessions-that l shall
keep them always
The child drew back, and ran to the
| big window to watch the departure,
strainng her eyes to catch the last
glimpse of the red coat as it disappeared
| through the trees, a spot of excitement on
each cheek. He had been pleased-a real
| soldier who mad fought the IndianS-he
was going to keen her flowers forever!
La, child, you have worked yourself
| into a very fever the voice of her gov
erness exclaimed. Go out FOR a walk
with your cousin, do, and cool Your
cheeks And be sure YOU don't'turn back
until you reach the gate
| RatfU 90 her IN DhpfipntIy Tom
| cross-he didn't like her hero; but moth
| ing could mar the beauty of. the day FOR
that proud. happy little heart.
| The grass was checkcred with shade
and sunshine all down the avenue. Near
| the end, the blue bay. with its dots of
| white sails, came in view. They had
| reached the great stone gate posts-and
between them lay her flowers, in the
| Dust
The boy picked up the soiled ribbon
Never mind, Ictty.' he said, though his
eyes Were full of anger. He's not worth
CRYING for"
The little teeth shut down sharply on
tn. red lip. I'm not crying she said
Eight peaceful years had passed. and
then another wherein there was no peace
for the colonies were shaking them
selves free of leading strings
/ But in the little w1ter-lapped city there
sun was shining down again, serenely. on
the garden. and the flowers were giving
out their lavish mingling of odors on the
still air.
In the morning room, through the open
windows of which the garden sounds and
scents were drifting white-capped spin
ster, the goVerness OF yore, was pouring
out continuous flow of tea for herself,
| and grievances to the mOrose young Off
Ger before the fireplace.
II never go away, she protested in
juredly, but something happens. The
| whole town has greeted me with questions
| about RpttN'S bean and | with
a word to answer. Betty tells me moth
ing, but only laughs. She has gone off
now to make the black and white cock
AIDES that the mountaineering has
ordered in compliment to our French al
lies, and he has followed her. Your uncle,
| ! suppose is satlstia1. For my own part
commission is certainly suspicious;
though, to be sure, his manners are
charming: and | confess he seems not to
have aged a month since he staid here be-
fore ten years ago. What ) your opinion
of the match, captain"
| The young man put down his cup. HIS
manners. as YOU say, are his strong
point. n answered. conremptuously,
TO suit herself, and taking up his hat
ne turned from the room.
The woman sighed, ana poured herself
another cup of tea. He is as taciturn
as ever. she murmured, though con-
sidering the dance BETTY mas led nm all
these years h takes Il remarkably quiet,
poor bow"
The object of her pity had paused out
side the door, and then aimlessly crossed
the hall to his unclC's study. but before
his hau1 had touched the knob the door
opened and their visitor came out and
passed him. his usually p'lId face Near
ing 50 black a look mat the younger man
stopped to galnce curiously after him
Then he pushed open the door.
A girl sitting by little sewing table
lifted her face as he entered--d face not
beautiful, but which had worked untolc
misChief III it's short career
What is the matter with Peyton, Bet
ty?" he asked abruptly.
We had discussion said the girl
with laugh, and l told him the suor5
of certain little bunch of flowers as .
moral-which ruffled his temper.
Her cousin came nearer, ana looked
down at her sterrly.
You have danced with him. and ridiay
with him, and led him on until the whole
for childish grudge-'
Betty gave a little shrug. He spoiled
the one day for me, she said, One OF
the hapiinest OF my life | am not likely
to let him spoil another" Then he
whole manner changed. "NuW, Tom,
she said, imprcssivelv, prepare to he suf-
liciently grateful; I'm going to give You
my colors to wear to the war"
But the young man flushed darkly NO
YOU will not" he said. through his teeth
You have had all the amusement 1T my
expense that you are likely To have, mad
am. You spend your whole time making
fools of men: YOU are not worth
A pair of brown eyes had been raised
mocking!v to his, and kent there. For q
moment or two he held out. then tn old
charm proved too strong and he put hi;
arms around her.
Betty settled her head, with fIin;
laugh, against his shoulder. You al.
ways were "A bear Tom you know" sh-
said softly. Then she flashed anDthel
Elarce into the intense face above her
DO Eou want to know what made me
tell him about those flowers" she asked
very low. Il helped Chloe park youl
boxes vesterdav-aud I found that ola
hair rihnyllA In Your DISH. -