The Monticellonian., 1905-01-26

1 fore I could get it away from ln, he'd eaten one of the pink roses and a eou- pie of the forget t-me-nots.'
 Mrs Meadows was surprised into 2 ridiculous guffaw. Then, conscious ap- parently of the imprupriety of her con- ! duct. she evaded her daughters eye and i became absorbed in contemplation of the ceiling David could hardly help eeho- l ing this little outburst of encourage 1 ment with a grin of his own; and Sophie set her teeth together and felt that was 1 fighting he whole world single-handed and alone
 Then" continued David, there's l these ere braces"
 Sophie turned her head away sharply It was doubtful whether. in her altered relationship with Mir Trotter braces were things that could be discussed with l propriety. The articles in question were | luridly embroidered in red and blue upon a green background. and in any i thing like sustained silence they might have been relied upon to speak for them selves. II was evident however, from their present condition that they had ! been more decorative than useful; and Dayid's attempt to strengthen the weak CT 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 regerently on the table, and gazed at them with sigh, as if he regarded them as still beautiful, even in death. Then he produced pair of woolen socks from his parcel.
 "These ere" he said. 70 course they've bin n wear good deal and"
 T didn't give 'em to you for to keep under 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.
 '.I don't want them back, said Sophie.
 Well. there don't seem 10 be no choice about it. as far as l can see, replied l'dN At. sNhd dS l 1Ouidh SINE DdIh with 'oes in 'em. and didn't like to let no one else touch 'em now. l tried to mend 'em up bit myself. You'll see"
 Mrs. Meadows guffawed again. Ani finding her mirth not so easy to check on this occasion. she fled preeipitately into the shop. and left the young people alone. Sophie frowned at the interrup- ton, but the next moment she found herself half smiling at David's dilem- ma This big, rough fellows confess sion of his helplessness was not dis pleasing to her. IL showed her at least that there were times when she would be missed, and the reflection seftened her a little
 David passed the socks along, and in- dicated with his finger the spot where his handiworll was to be seen. A huge, lumpy blotch of red wool that had been laboriousy grafted on to gray back ground il 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- erousness of the absurd ineongruity she burst into a peal of derisive laughter
 "I never was much of and with q needle, David explained. smilinely. Then. as if realizing that Sophie's nirth was a distinct sign of encouragement. he leaned across the tablbe and said, in a tone of gentle protest: See what a mess 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. scornfuly. An can't make out what you keep on about the gal for. I don't suppose I've spoke a dozen words 10 Ter. Father give 'er people job mend in the sacks at the mill, but the work j done now. and"
 Put Mrs. Green said that Bobby Harper told CT
 "Yes. I know An you give my con- pliments to Bobby 'Arper. an ask i'm what 'es got is left eye shut up for. As for old mother Green. scandaimonger- 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 gave you"
 II returned them,' faltered So- phie. as her right hand mechanically sought the finger of her left hand that only yesterday had been decorated with a gold ring set with two pearls and a garnet.
 David turned to the second parcel on the table.
 T brought 'em back on the off, chance, he said. Shall I undo the string?"
 By way of reply, Sophie took her seis- sors from the mantelpiece behind her. and reaching across the table. cut the string in several places. Then she looked up at David face and laughed
 And Mrs. Meadows, coming into the parlor abruptly to see if David was still there, remarked that she was very sorry to have interrupted, but hadn't, of course had the least idea that every thing was going so well.-London Black and White