The Worthington advance., 1905-01-27

some ow ~ careful as what a woman is.
Leastwayo, s'pose that's what it 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.
These 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 be-
fore I could get it away from i'm, he'd
eaten one of the pink roses and q cou-
pie of the forget-me-nots."
Mrs. Meadows was surprised into a
ridiculous guffaw. Then, conscious ap-
pareutly of the improperly of her con-
duct, she evaded her daughters eye and
became absorbed in contemplation of the
ceiling. David could hardly help echo
ing th;s little outburst of encourage
ment with grin of his own; and Sophie
set her teeth together and felt that was
fighting the whole world single-handed
and alone.
Then" continued David, there's
these ere braces"
Sophie turned her head away sharply.
1t was doubtful whether in her altered
relationship with Mr.. Trotter, braces
were things that could be discussed with
propriety. The articles in question wero
luridly embroidered in red and blue
upon green background, and in any
thing like sustained silence they might
have been relied upon to speak for them
selves. It was evident, however. from
their present condition that they had
been more decorative than useful; and
David's attempt to strengthen the weak
er parts by the addition of piece of
stout string had done nothing to en-
hance 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 a sigh, as if he regarded
them as still beautiful, even in death.
Then he produced a pair of woolen
socks from his parcel.
"These ere" he said, 90 course
they've bin in wear good deal and"
Il didn't give 'em to you for to keep
under glass case" protested Sophie.
her bitter feelings softened a 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"
II don't want them back" said Sophie.
well, there don't seem to be no choice
about it, as far as can see," replied
David. "And as couldn't give 'em back
with 'oles in 'em, and didn't like to let
no one else touch 'em now, tried to
mend EN- up bit myself. You'll see"
Mrs. Meadows guffawed again. AMI
finding her mirth not so easy to check
into the shop, and leftsthe young people
alone. Sophie frowned at the Interrupt
ton, but the next moment she found
herself half smiling at Dayid's dilem-
ma. This big. rough fellows confess
sion of his helplessness was not dis
pleasing to her. 1t showed her at least
that there were times when she would
be missed, and the reflection softened
her a little.
David passed the socks along, and in
dicated with his finger the spot where
his handiwork was to be seen. A huge,
lumpy blotch of red wool that had been
grated on to gray back
ground. it did not need to be pointed out.
It caught the eye at once, and absolute
ly riveted the attention. Sophie felt
the corners of her mouth breaking down,
and, finally, unable to resist the ludi-
crousness of the absurd incongruity. she
burst into peal of derisive laughter.
II never was much of 'and with q
needle" David explained. smilingly.
Then, as if realizing that Sophie's mirth
was a distinct sign of encouragement,
he leaned across the tablbe and said.
in tone of gentle protest: ''See what
a mess l should make o. things if you
give me up"
Sophie stopped laughing and looked at
him Sternly.
"There is-Faith Duker," she said.
mot for me. there amt" he said,
scornfully. "An' can't make out what
you keep on about the gal for. don't
suppose I've spoke a dozen words to-
'er. Father give 'er people job mend
in the sacks at the mill, but the works
done now. and"
But Mrs. Green said that Bobby
Harper told 'er-"
Eyes, I know. An you give my COM
pliments to Bobby 'Arper, an ask i'm
what 'e's got is left eye shut up for. AS
for old mother Green, scandalmonger-
in is 'er business when she's got no
drinkin' to do. You don't want to go
listenin' to a parcel of old gossips like
that. S'pose you let me keep the things
you gave me. Come, now, that's bar
gain. And the things l gave YOU"
"I-I returned them," faltered So