The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-02-02


ing the wall, "a man amt some'ow SO
careful as what woman is. Least
ways, I s'pose that's what 1t Is. Now,
the things you sent back to me, they
was all spick and span, just like new,
and"
do for Faith Duker, p'raps." COM
mented Sophie, rather bitterly.
David affected not to be conscious Of
the interruption.
There ERE slippers, for instance -
he said, (which you worked for me. l
'adn't 'ad 'em long before my little fox
terrier got at one Of 'em, and before
could get it away from i'm. he'd eaten
one Of the pink roses and q couple OF
the forget-me-nots."
Mrs. Meadows was surprised into RI
diculous guffaw. Then, conscious ap-
parently Of the improperly of her con-
duct, she evaded her daughters eye
and became absorbed in contemplation
of the ceiling.
David could hardly help echoing this
little outburst of encouragement with
grin of his own; and Sophie set her
teeth together and felt that she was
fighting the whole world single-handed
and alone.
'Then," continued David. there's
these ere braces"
Sophie turned her head away sharp
ly. 1t was doubtful whether. in her
altered relationship with Mr.. Trotter,
braces were things that could be dis
cussed with propriety. ~
The articles in question were lurid-
~ embroidered in red and blue upon a
green background, and in anything
like sustained silence they might have
been relied upon to speak for them
selves
1t was evident, however, from their
present condition that they had been
more decorative than useful: and
David's attempt to strengthen the
weaker parts by the addition Of a
piece Of stout string had done nothing
to enhance their artistic beauties.
David, remarking Sophie's attitude
out Of the corner Of his eye, placed the
poor, mangled remains Of the braces
reverently on the table, and gazed at
them with sigh, as II he regarded
them as still beautiful, even in death.
Then he produced a pair Of wooden
socks from his parcel.
"These 'ere," he said, 90 course
they've bin in wear good deal and"
II didn't give 'em to you for to keep
under a glass case," protested Sophie,
her bitter feelings softened little by
the fact that he had been glad to make
use of her present.
"No; quite so," said David, turning
and addressing her for the first time.
''Only. you see, when you've got to
give things back again"
81 don't want them back" said
Sophie.
"Well. there don't seem to be no
choice about 1t, as far as I can see"
replied David. "And as I couldn't give
'em back with 'oles in 'em, and I
didn't like to let no one else touch 'em
now, tried to mend 'em up bit my
SELF You'll SEE
Mrs. Meadows guffawed again. And
finding her mirth not so easy to check
on this occasion, she he'd precipitately
into the shop, and left the young peo-
pie alone.
Sophie frowned at the interruption,
but the next moment she found her
self half smiling at David's dilemma.
This big, rough fellows confession Of
his helplessness was not displeasing to
her. 1t showed her at least that there
were times when she would be missed,
and the reflection softened her little.
"show me-" she said, holding out her
hand.
David passed the socks along, and
indicated with his finger the spot
where his handiwork was to be seen.
A huge, lumpy botch of red wool that
had been laboriously grated onto q
gray background, it did not need to be
pointed out.
It caught the eye at once, and abso-
lutely riveted the attention. Sophie
felt the corners of her mouth break
ing down, and, finally, unable to resist
the righteousness of the absurd incon-
gruity, she burst into peal Of de-
risive laughter.
II never was much of q and with a
needle" David explained, smilingly.
Then, as If realizing that Sophie's
mirth was distinct sign Of encourage
ment, he leaned across the table. and
said in a tone of gentle protest: "See
what mess I should make O. things
if you give me up"
Sophie stopped laughing and looked
at him sternly.
There is-Faith Duker," she said.
''Not for me, there ain't," he said.
scornfui:y. "An' / can't make out
what you keep on about the gal for.
don't suppose I've spoke dozen
words to hes Father give 'er people
a Job mendin' the sacks at the mill.
but the works done now, and"
"But Mrs Green said that Bobby
Harper told 'er-"
eyes, know. An you give my COM
| pliments to Bobby 'Acper an ask i'm
what ss's got is left eye shut up for