The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-06-19
A Little Hair Ribbon.
BY SOPHIE HAMMOND.

BY SOPHIE HAMMOND.
Copyright. 1872. 10y Daily S,cry Pub. Co.,
A garden in old Annapolis. c-ow1e.
with blooms.and fragrance: a chill ~
on a rustic bench. with larfnl
flowers and busy, serious face a !.
on the wall above. morosaly witch:
her-these are what the Jane =
shone down upon. long ago.
The child's eager fingers ha,! &c;
put the flowers together, "a o-e 60
dragged the pink ribbon from Ter ,,:'i.
With an effort OF generosity she seize
ed a sprig of heliotrope from tn: =.
You may have that, Tom" she s.
tossing it upon the wall
The ribbon tied about the stems. Al,
the arrangement held out for 2 ne
ment's anxious inspection, she spraTc
to her feet, and running down the patti
ard up the steps of the veranda
pushed open the green-shuttered door
of the hail.
At the farther end her father was
taking leave of a 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 shyiy up
into his face.
The young soldier took them gallant
ly. 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 pos
sessions I shall keep them al
ways"
The child drew back, and ran to the
big window to watch the departure.
straining her eyes to catch the last
glimpse of the red coat as it disap-
peared through the trees, spot of ex-
element burning on each cheek. He
had been pleased-a real soldier, who
had fought the Indians-he was going
to keep her flowers forever!
La, child, you have worked your
self into a very fever!" the voice of
her governess 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"
Betty got her hat obediently. Tom
was cross-he didn't like her hero;
but nothing could mar the beauty of
the day for that proud, happy little
heart.
The grass was checkered with shade
and sunshine all down the avenue.
Near the end. the blue bay. with it's
dots Of white sails, came in view.
They had reached the great stone gate
posts-and between them lay her flow
ers. in the dust!
The boy picked UP the soiled ribbon.
Never mind, Betty" he said, though
his eyes were full of anger. Hes not
worth crying for"
The little teeth shut down sharply
on the 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
themselves free of leading strings
But in the little water-lapped city
there were no signs of the strife. The
June sur was shining down again, Sc
renely, on the garden. and the flowers
were giving out their lavish mingling
Of odors on the still air.
In the morning room, thro~gh the
open windows of which the garden
sounds and scents were drifting,
white-capped spinster, the governess of
yore, was pouring out continuous
flow of tea for herself. and grievances
to the morose young officer before the
fireplace.
Il never go away" she protested
injuredly, "but something happens
The whole town has greeted me with
questions about Betty's new beau, and
with never a word to answer, Bet
ty tells me nothing. but only laughs.
She has gone off now to make the
black and white cockades that the
commander-in-chief has ordered in
compliment to our French allies, and
he has followed her Your uncle,
suppose, is satisfied. For my own part