Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-06-13
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A Little Hair Ribbon
By SOPHIE HAMMOND.
Copyright. is0. BY Daily Story Pub, Coz


A garden in old Annapolis. crowded
with blooms and fragrance: child up
ON a rustic bench. with lapful ol
flowers and a busy. serious face; a boy
on the wall above. morosely watching
her-these are what the June sun
shone down upon. long ago.
The child's eager fingers had deftly
put the flowers together, and one hand
dragged the pink ribbon from her hair
With an effort of generosity she select
ed a sprig of heliotrope from the rest
You may have that, Tom" she said,
tossing It upon the wall.
The ribbon tied about the stems. and
the arrangement held out for mo-
ment's anxious inspection. she sprans
to her feet. and running down the path
and up the steps OF the veranda.
pushed open the green.shuttered door
OF the hall.
At the farther end her father was
taking leave OF n two'days' guest-a
young man In a scarlet uniform and
much gold lace. whose horses and ser
want stood at the steps. The little girl
went forward swiftly and held out the
flowers to the visitor. looking shyly up
into his face.
The young soldier took them gallant
ly. This is indeed an honor" he
said. with n quick smile-"a posey
from the fairest lady in all this fair
province! Mistress Betty may be sure
they shall be among my treasured pos
sessions-that | shall keep them al
ways"
The child drew back. and ran to tho
big window to watch the departure.
straining her eyes to catch the last
glimpse OF the red coat as II disap-
pcared through the trees. spot Of cx.
element burning on each cheek He
had been plcased-a real soldier. who
had fought the Indians-he was going
to keep her flowers forever'
In. child. you have worked your
self Into n very fever!" the voice OF
her governess exclaimed. 60 out for
walk with your cousin. do. and cool
your checks. And be sure you don't
turn back until you reach the gate"
Betty got her hat obcdientiy. Tom
was cross-hc didn't like her hero:
but nothing could mar the beauty Of
the day for that proud. happy little
heart.
The grass was chcckcrcd with shade
and sunshine all down tho avenue.
Near the end. the blue bay. with Its
dots Of white sails. came In view.
They had reached tn. great stone cato
posts-and bctwccr them lay her now.
crn. In the dunt'
The boy picked up the soiicd ribbon.
Never mind. Betty" he said. though
his eyes were full Of anger. Hes not
worth eryin. for.'
Tho little teeth shut down sharply
on the rcd lip. I'm not crying she
said.
Eight peaceful years had passed. and
then another wherein there was no
pcaoc-for the colonies were ahakin.
themselves free OF icadin. strings
Hut in tho little water riappcd city
there were no signs OF the strife. Tho
June sun vas shining down again. So
rcnciy. on the garden. and tho flowers
were giving out their lavish mingiins
Of odors on the still air.
In the morning room. through tho
ppcn windows OF which the garden
sounds and scents were drifting. a
spinstcr. the soscrncss OF
yorr. was pourins cut a continuous
low OF tea for herself. and grievances
10 the morosc young offiecr before tho
arc place.
Il never 80 away" she protested
Injurcdly. but something happens.
Tho whole town has greeted mo with
questions about Bet,y's new beau. and
with never n word to answer, hot.
" tells me nothing. but only laughs.
She has gone on now to mako tho
black and white cockadcs that tho
has ordered in
TO our French allies. and
he has followed her. Your uncle. I
suppose. IL satisfied. For my own part
I believe he In a Tory-his refusing a
commission Is certainly suspicious:
though. TO be sure. his manners arc
and | confess he seems not
TO have aged month since he s,aid
here before, ten years ago. What is
your opinion of the match. cap,ain7-
The young man put down his cup.
His manners. as you say. are his
strong point" he answered. contempt.
uousiy: but my cousin. of coursc. will
choose to suit herself" and taking up
his hat he turned from the room.
The woman sighed. and poured her
self another cup OF tea. "He Ia as
taciturn as ever" she murmurcd;
though considering the dance Betty
has led him all these years he takes IL
remarkably quiet, poor bOyl"
The object Of her pity had paused
outside the door. and then aimiessiy
crossed the hall to his uncle's study: