The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-03-12
Ted and the Gloves

gloves. he was quite Ii years Olu
when the dandy" period commenced;
it was early in coming, though, as
Dolly remarked with genuine pathos;
it might be all the sooner in leaving.
Ted was small for his age, neat and
dapper, while Dolly, his junior by a
year or more, topped him in height
and breadth. This was great grief
to Dolly; she would have liked, above
all things, to be small, and Ted sec
reilly envied his sister, though in some
respects he found the existing state of
things great convenience. Dolly's
gloves and boots and ties and even
collars seemed made for him. and
whenever these articles were lacking
in his wardrobe he had no hesitation
in drawing upon hers.
Poor Dolly had been long suffering,
but at length she rebelled when Ted
demanded the loan of her tan gloves
to wear to church.
Why, I'm not even going to wear
them myself" she declared. I'm saw
ing them for my new winter dress.
Go buy yourself pair, Ted
"But this is Sunday. You know l
can't"
"You should have thought Of that
yesterday" said Dolly severely.
II know, but somehow it slipped my
mind. Come, Dolly, that's dear; do
a kind sisterly deed" His tone was
wheedling, but Dolly was firm.
mo, won't. I've done it too often.
Go away, Ted, and don't pry around
my room," said Dolly, cycling him sus-
piciously. you must go to church
without gloves today; you cannot have
mine" And, Selling her brother by the
shoulders, she laughingly put him out
and shut the door upon him.
''You won't lend me those gloves 2"
he called through the keyhole.
NO
You'll be sorry" in a mild voice
so mild that Dolly grew vaguely
alarmed. She had cowardly desire
to give in" but that would have been
yielding to Ted's propensity for bor-
rowing and to his love of dress, bosh
glazing defects in his character, so
she held to her refusal
I'm not going to church without
gloves" came through the keyhole
Then I mafraid you'll have to stay
at home" returned Dolly wickedly, for
she knew this was only a threat, as
regular church attendance was one Of
the home rules.
There sas no more protest from
the keyhole. Ted had vanished in high
dudgeon, and Dolly finished her SIM
pie toilet in haste, for the church bells
were ringing
But she took care to lock her door,
and went off to church with the key in
her pocket, quite certain then that her
possessions would be undisturbed, for
there was no other way of reaching
her room.
Her mother and father and little
sister Edith all came down the aisle
together and took their seats.
Where is Ted?" whispered Mrs.
Maxwell
Il suppose he'll be here in mo-
ment," said Dolly, uneasily; but the
organist had begun the prelude before
Ted appeared, walking clamly down
to his pew.
He looked, as usual, like new pin,
and on his hands were a beautiful
new pair of tan kid gloves.
Dolly's glance was riveted upon
them
"Mine?" she gasped.
Ted nodded.
'How?"
Through the transom Hush! I'll
tell you after the service" and an ex-
preston Of sanity peace spread over
Ted's countenance as he opened his
hymn book.
DOlly's mind wandered-she couldn't
help it. How in the world did Ted get
through the transom into her room?
1t seemed altogether impossible The
sermon was longer than usual, but she
made desperate effort to pay atten-
ton, even though Ted held his hands
in such position that her best gloves
were constantly under her nose.
Net a word was spoken as they
walked home. This affair was strictly
between herself and Ted.
Now, tell me-" she began, when at
q signal he followed her into her
room. How did you get there?'
Il climbed up on stepladder and
hoisted myself by the end of rope to
the transom and jumped on to your
bed. It's easy enough when you get
used to IT,
1T was big jump. You might
have broken your neck. =
A miss is as good as mile, ma'am,
and besides Ted paused, and, rising
with = bow, laid the tan gloves, neatly
folded, on her dressing table and,
besides" he repeated, q look OF
triumph in his eyes, Il got the
gloves!' and he went on whistling.
leaving Dolly to shake her head as
she put her treasures away, resolved
to and some surer hiding place