The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-07-04

other members have asked me 10 renew
our offer for your beautiful silk Gag"
1t seems like sAcrilege to even handle
that flag" Mrs. Lowry answered, her
voice perceptibly saddened. Il never
take 1t from the box except TO place IL
in a new one, when the old ones worn
out I've taken such good care Of it"
And wen take just as good" Mrs.
Patterson interposed with businesslike
alacrity. She scooped out the contents
Of a large fat pea-pod with great Vigor
as she continued: "Ii'll never be taken
out but for the Fourth Of July and for
visits Of the President, II one ever comes
20 this sleepy little town. ! don't think
you ought 10 let 4 good chance like this
so by. Mrs. Lowry"
Il do need the money" the other said
There was no emphasis n her tone. and
her eyes were dreamy; though 10 Mrs.
Patterson they seemed 70 f2sten them
selves on the lstter's crisp lawn founces
that peeped from beneath the stiff
straightness Of an ample white spron.
I'm tell you what / know from long
experience" said Mrs. Patterson. moist
ening her lips self-complscently. 1T
pays 20 dress: and more so at our time
Of life than any other. ! tell you. Mrs,
Lowry. you with that young grandson Of
yours around-I hope you won't think
I'm meddlin'-bu; / tell you, you really
DO need h new dress for visitin' and
church. and such things. II had mics
boy like Fred around my house / don't
know but what / think it'd pay me to
invest in q grenadine. over silk founda
ton"
1t might pay you" Mrs. Lowry spoke
with some mild and unoHending scerbity
When you make up your mind TO
thing. that's the end: bu; with me its
only the beginning Of another change Of
mind. But one thing. | have always az
20 this time been firm about. that's that
flag. made it"-Mrs. Lowry's voice
broke, and she caught nervously at q
fold Of her GOWN made ii for the
Captain. and, though il never waved
over a battlefield, his dying fingers han
died it."
Even the matter-of-fsct Mrs. Patter
son stopped at her work and caught bel
breath with a prolonged sigh. The othe'
said, As IL In a dream. You've otter
heard that old story from the soldiers
who came back"
Mrs Lowry arose, and stood silen'
a moment The pea-shelling operation
continued. but the grating, and cliekinE
of the lawn mower, next door, suddenly
ceased. As suddenly, Mrs. Patterson
spoke sharply. leaning far out from he
chair:
Does that grandson Of yours know o
the splendid offer we've made you TO
that fagT'
u haven't told him yet" was the re
Spouse.
We'll, just tell him when you s,
back" Mrs. Patterson commanded
Hell look at il In a sensible light.
know the boy well enough for that. He
no dreamer The ladies and III be owe
after the Gag at Q o'clock"
Dusk WAS falling as Mrs. Lowry walk
ed slowly around the graveled path. An
as she swung back her own gate, tn
soueaking noise that she seldom notices
Jared her unpleasantly. The long han
die Of the mower was lying half scros
her path and the open doorway wa
merely an ohlong Of empty darkness
The old lady stepped out on the lawn {
see II there was a light in the boys bay
window. She could just make out tw
heads that seemed 10 be on a level NOV
ing across the muslin curtain.
She had left her neiEhbor's with III
intent to find out at once in just whs
light her grandson would see the Eacr
fice Of the endeared memento. The con
mittee had certainly offered a sum out q
all proportion to its intrinsic worth
Though IL was made Of silk and in almos
perfect condition. IL was the associatio
- that had inspired veritable crussd
!. among the ladies representing local pa
= riotism for the purpose Of obtaining Il e
: the Blairsville Woman's Relief Corps,
+ The company Of which Captain Lowr
J. had been chosen captain by acclamatio
+ was organized here, and the popularit
k he gained In camp and in action was
g sentiment shared by the soldiers wit
a their wives at home and had come {
Il dwell hazily even in the consciousness {
the more romantic Of the old soldier
+ daughters. Aud so Il Is not a matter
e surprise that Captain Lowry's flag mad
Y by his wife's own loving fingers shoul
!. be coveted by every member Of the corp
Mrs. Lowry recalled with faint smi
;. how much more successful the neigl
& boring town Of Kittanning had been
r securing mementos Of the company o
e ganiEed there. They had one or tn
e well-rusted swords. several battered cap
n. - -,