The Iola register., 1902-01-03

fashion; and It was the proudest 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 | went home, was:
"We are not at home tonight Pompey."
That same month l went to boarding
school, carrying my lady's color with me,
in the shape of a 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 as had dis
gusted my young soul. The gorgeous toi-
ettes 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 pearlset
miniature. Then my home was desolated.
My 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, chldlilSe, 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 a twelvemonth; when 1
suddenly wrote an lmpassioned 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 | became uneasy, and re-
solved to go home, or, at least, to old
New York We landed on New Year eve,
and on New Years morning, as the bells
of St. Margaret's were Ginning for serv-
ice, | found myself opposite Alary's house,
looking over at the old place, with the same
old boyl,h interest.
| What a change rom the old daysl Every
shade OF every house on the block entirely
covered its window, and ON each bell pull
was a tiny basket fastened with bunch Of
gay ribbons / was indignant a nice way
/ that" ] argued, mentally, "to treat visitors
on New Years day A closed house, in
I Nttus II eNONlh NIlth " me- anu ludb
| basket, Probabyitw the gift OF some fond
/ lover, like the Mayday baskets of the olden
/ time Tied with Mary's iavorite color, too!
/ Very WE'LL | would take it down and offer
| her my congratulations, when | handed her
| the basket!
So ! mounted the steps and gave the
! bell knob vigorous pull Old Pompey
opened the door lie knew me at once,
| and smiled broadly, as he said:
Miss Mary she'll be delighted Disvisit' 5
so on-reglar jes whut she likes"
When Mary came, she seemed a little
tremulous and confused. / remembered
the basket 1t had fallen to the floor. l
pounced upon it yiciously. In it lay a
card;
Mr. Stewart Kingsley"
MARY" | gaspcd; surely you are never
going to marry the man who insulted your
mother lS>~ears ago. and held up the
card before her astonished eyes.
"Nou silly boy" said she and with that
years vanished; we We're young again.
This" shaking the basket, 'is the way
people receive today. 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.
tie five yard, of ribbon to- one, bcll-handle,
that a friend may not pull it,
mo. Only two yards" said Mary.
Five" | protested, and then said:
"Come; let's measure it." So | took my
handkerchief to measure and finished
up the inches on the ribbon that hung
from her belt. This brought us very
near each other; my hand trembled,
but I had gained a fine courage A curl Of
my yellow, tousled head brushed Mary's
check She flushed prettily, and, putting her
arms about my neck, touched my lips light
ly with hers.
That was a mean trick" l cried, de-
lightedly, snatching my dazzling to my heart,
"and I'll never speak to you again, unless
Tou promise to repeat it every day of your
natural life"