Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-06-15

body says you're the village comfort
anyway said Sophrony. Il wish /
had your pompadouy, You keep your
hair wonderful well gazing admir-
ingly at the Way gray hair
Nonsense with 4 pleased flush,
however. '.The Pcrkinses all have
good heads Q hair. Rlns In some fam
lilies, guess
Il know just what she'll pick cur"
soliloquized the spinster on Ter way
| home, '.somethin' With hearts an a
pagoda with doves "a & mat amt
what man wants whJs all stove up
an got the grumps. will. | vumm
The little dressmaker retraced her
steps to the village emporium"
where she carefully scaivied the stock
of cards. Finally her eye lighted on
the picture of the "Ministering An
gel" ITS jest he ticket" she chuc-
killed. On a fowery couch reclined a
young man. and a young woman was
offering him plate of most impossible
looking fruit with an air of tender So
licitude. The motto read:
With all woman's powers.
It's woman's place to serve and wait
Upon a loving mate
Miss Perkins wrote something on the
card and firmly affixed a one cent
stamp.
There; | guess that'll set him to
thinkin' anyway"
After tea Sophrony sat by the win
dow knitting In the dusk when she
saw Mary Jane going into neighbours.
"She won't get away from there for
an hour. Miss Parks Is an everlastin'
talker." commented Sophrony. ave
half mind to run over an inquire, Just
neighborly like. He might be in the
sfttin' room with LOUSY"
With fast beating heart the girl
whipped her best pink shawl around
her and started out. Sure enough.
Sam was in the easy chair with his
crutches on the floor beside him, and
LOUSY. his twelve-year-old sister, was
doing sums. Sophrony could see them
through the window as she tiptoed up
the gravel path.
Come in, Sophronyr' shouted the
young man as he caught the sound Of
her voice In the hallway.
my" whispered LOUSY, che amt
seen nobody since he was hurtp'
Sophrony trembled. but said cheeri-
ly, Hello, Sam" In her usual fashion.
As LOUSY disappeared after pitcher
Of cider in hospitable manner Sam
leaned forward with q nervous flush
on his thin face as he asked hurriedly,
"Sophrony, did you send me a picture
card?'
"Mebbe | did an mebbe / didn't"
answered the girl nervously, laughing
and blushing.
Don't fool, sophrony Quit It. Did
your"
yes. Sam" she replied, sobered up
by his earnestness.
did you mean it?" he demanded.
Sophrony looked bewildered. What
was the motto? She could not remem-
Der. She had just picked out "pret-
ty" one. as the dressmaker had sur
missed. 1t would do no harm to say
Eyes" anyway.
did you. Sophrony?" he persisted.
would you put up with man who
has only one legf"
"Indeed, would IL it twas you.
Sam" replied Sophrony honestly.
Come over here, my GIRL" entreated |
Sam. holding out his arms longingly. |
All his shyness seemed to have disap- |
peared.
Sophrony went and knelt beside Ills |
chair. and as his arms closed around |
her Sam said. IF 1t hadn't been for |
this blessed card"-he pulled It out OF |
his breast rocket-'I'd never have had |
the courage to ask you"
Sophrony caught her breath sharply |
as she looked at it. ooh, SAM" then |
she hesitated. 81 never sent that one,
but" she added hastily as she read the |
verse, Il would have If I'd seen 1t. |
think it's Just lovely"
Sam drew the pretty, blushing face |
against his shoulder again. well, it's |
all right, then. But. see. here are your |
initials down In the corner. Who do |
you suppose sent itf'
ITS that blessed little dressmaker,"
said Sophrony, with a fash of compre-
hension.
Land o. Goshen! guess there'll be
weddin' in this family fore long
teehee,v giggled LOUSY from the door
way, almost dropping the pitcher OF
cider In her excitement.
II just guess there WILL" replied
Sam masterfully.