Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-11-24
BuffercupS
And Daisies
BY Kate NJ. CIedry
Copyright, 1907, bv Kate NJ. aeary

the dishes washedr'
Her task was accomplished with
brisk dexterity. To be sure, there were
not many dishes to be washed-one
cup, one saucer, one spoon, one plate,
one knife, one fork
"Quite an old maids outfit!' she said,
with little grimace as she rinsed out
the diminutive teapot and set it on the
shelf with the china. Nov to tell
Ned, dear old Ned, that-that-oh, how
would a girl in a story refuse to marry
a man that was quite the best fellow
she knew, only-only"-
She read Edward Ford's letter
through again, as though seeking some
suggestion as to the most delicate and
decisive manner in which she could de-
cline his proposal
1t was a charming letter-simple,
manly and straightforward. He loved
her-he had always loved her. She
must know that. There never had been
another girl for him. There never could
or would be while life lasted, whether
she made him happy or bade him
wait or-or even should she answer
no. He had wanted to speak when she
came up to work In the city, but had
not felt free to do so, having others de-
pendent upon him. But now that his
dear mothers sufferings were ended
and that his sister had married and
possessed home of her own he was
able to follow the dictates of his heart.
The old place needed a mistress. 1t
was very beautiful just then, he added.
The syringa hedge was white with
blossom. You couldn't see the road
for the clematis and seven sisters rose
across the porch.
The girl, sitting at the window of
the lodging house, looked out at the
dirty Nottingham lace curtains of the
lodging house across the street and
then afar over wilderness of irregu-
lar brick walls and smoking chimneys
with eyes grown suddenly wistful.
How she hated it all! Even If she
could keep this fresh and dainty-this
tiny room she called her own!
Maplewildl The big, comfortable
country house, set back In rich orchard
lands! She used to laugh at the quaint,
prim, low ceiled rooms. with their air
of rigid order, OF sedateness. Now
she fancled them as sweet, cool
refuge. If there were only some fresh
swisses and silkollne draperies around,
and magazines and lot of light, Gre
tonne pillows. what an ideal home 1t
would be- She would do the dining
room In yellow, as it was on the north
side OF the house, and
The Changing gong of a fire engine
passing in the street below startled
her from her dream. She Strengthened
up with little Jerk and glanced
around the shabby little room, with
the crude paper, the aggressive carpet.
the cheap pine furniture. and her
trunk in the corner. 1t was here she
was going to remain-here. She had
no intention OF marrying Ned Ford.
SO she hastily dipped her pen In the
ink bottle on the window SILL steadied
her portfolio on her knee and began
to write:
Dear Ned-I have your letter. and I'm
sorry. sorry. 80 sorry you wrote IL! Not
that ] don't want you to be fond OF me.
do 1t seems sometimes as II I'm mil
lions OF miles away from every one who
ever cared a pin for me. But 1t isn't any
use your loving me--that way Don't
think there's any one else. There isn't.
Two men have asked me the same ques-
ton since I've been earning my living In
town But couldn't care for either the
tiniest bit And l do care for you-only.
not In the way ought to If
She shot look at the little clock
jumped to her feet.
Seven ten, stillW
She grabbed her hat, hastily put 1t
on, adjusted her veil with glance at
the pretty, pale face that looked back
at her from the glass with quite
frightened expression. and caught up
her gloves.
"Mercy! | must have forgotten to
wind the clock. / was 30 tired last
night. I'll be late as sure as fate!"
The cars were crowded, and she had
to stand all the way to the store, She
was late and was not only docked, but
received reprlmand from the head OF
the department. There was conven-
ton OF some sort In town, and the great
establishment was thronged with sight
seers and shoppers. The heat OF the
day increased. and what with the close
sultry warmth, the worry over the
episode OF the morning and the mces-
SAINT demands upon her attention n
splitting headache began to torture the
girl She found II hard to retain her
usual calm courtesy OF manner when
fashionably dressed woman upon
whom she had been waiting announc-
ed loudly and with n suspicious glance
In her direction that she had missed
her pocketbook,
II had II n moment ago. Just laid |
1t down herew she explained to tine |
fioorwalker who had hurried up. This |
young lady was waiting on me!'
at may have been taken TO the lost |
and found department. IL you will |
come with me, madam"
She reluctantly accompanied him. |
And when n few minutes later she re- |
passed the counter carrying her re-
claimed property the look she sent |
Jocelyn Duane was as vindictlye as
though she attn harbored doubt OF her |
innocence.
"Plensant life, thlsr the girl mur-
mured. Being Independent was not all |
IL was cracked up to be she was 1@
Gliding when Il gentle voice spoke,
"Gloyes-5Av'
Eyes, madam! What shade do you
pre-
Goodness" cried the new customer
III II isn't Jocelyn Duane!'
A plump little woman, holding
plump little baby, sat beside the coun-
ter. The wholesome tan OF the coun-
try was on her cheek. and the JOY OF
living shone In her soft brown eyes.
"Why, Mary Andrews" Joceiyn
greeted her gladly. 1T does seem good
TO see any ono from Maplewild! l
heard yoH We're married soon after |
left. And this IL your childf What II
darlingw
isn't her. said the mother proudly
"John thinks there never was such
boy. He came up TO the convention.
and OF course we had TO come along.
You look awfully stylish, Jocelyn-
and pretty. You're prettier than ever (
But-my. you're thip."
How Ia every one NJ MaplewildY
Jocelyn asked hastily, busyins herself
with the gloves.
blooming all that are left. We've
had some deaths won know Poor |