Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-10-08
DAILY SHORT STORIES

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picturesque gowns and the sunbonnets
Of faded blue. In their place the kim
balls had donned u veritable riot OF
modistry. Their costumes paid tribute
to the varying fashions of full half
century.
| But the faded countenances OF the
Kimballs showed naught but pride
and satisfaction, slightly tinged with
embarrassment I'VE set up most all
night sortin' things over and decIdin'
what TO wear" announced Miss
Phoebe when they came within speak
ing distance. 'Of course we wanted
10 do you credit. seem you were so
kind. These silk mitts cost sight o.
money when Brother Hiram brought
them from Concord. They're pretty
well darned now. but all the mendln's
on the inside where II don't show.
Don't Marthy look scrumptious? She
found that silk skirt she had made up
for the Frost weddin' most rs good as
new"
Holbrook welcomed the old lady's
volubility, FOR Il was plain that To-
once his companion was ut loss for
words. When Miss Blnlcy finally
found her voice it was so queer ana
strained that he scarcely recognized Il:
I'm sorry you went to all the
trouble. Really. II wasn't at all neces-
sary. In fact
I'm fact" broke IN Holbrook hur-
riedly-"ncvertheless II was awfully
good OF you to fiN up So That GER
'ainly is fine piece Of goods. Miss
Martha. 1t Will show UP splcndidly I'm
the photograph"
lie rambled on thus. hardly rcallz-
Ing what he said. anxiouS only To
cover the bitter disappointment: that
was written on Miss Bnleys face SO
| clearly that he felt Il must be evident
! 10 all. y"
Twarn't the least bit of troubles
insisted Martha. I'VE really enjoyed
fxin' things over, didn't we, Phoebe?''
Holbrook was wondering how long
his powers OF invention would stand
the strain when, after n brief and-to
him-uncomfortable pause. Miss Mar
tina suggested timidly, Were nh,
ready. miss. any time you say" el
! To Holbrooks intense relief this M.
peal brought Miss Binley TO sense
OF the situation. "Oh, yes" she said,
rather wildly, your clothes are beau
tirul. I'm going to send you each a
dozen prints so that you can have
plenty TO give your friends"
Declining hospitable invitation TO
stop Tor smack and cup OF tea"
the girl and the young man somehow
got through their farewells and walk.
cd away over the hill. leaving the
yearied but thoroughly delighted old
ladies' gazing after them from their
station by the front gate. In silence
iioiprook rugged the camera. and
without word Sfiss Binley trudged
beside him until the old house and It's
grotesquely clad occupants were hid
den by the bend in the road. Then
the girl said:
would you mind sitting here I'm the
shade minute? really believe I'm
bit tired"
Immediately tho youth was all nnx-
ious inquiry and suggestion
1t must have been the sun. You
have TO be careful in these mountains.
IL you don't mind waiting here alone
for couple Of minutes I'll hurry back
and see II the old ladies won't lend
me some kind Of rig 10 drive YOU
back TO the hotel. or maybe you'll lot
me carry you back to their house,
Don't be ridiculous" ordered Miss
Blnley, with n slightly bystericaI
laugh. There isn't thing the mat
ter with me" Then, noting his amaze
ment, she burst out desperately: 'T'm
Just fearfully disappointed, limits ALL
l don't believe I ever was so disap-
pointed before In my life. But that's
only part I'm horribly assumed OF
myself. too-even more ashamed than
disappointed. oh. believe I'm the
meanest girl In the whole state OF
New Hampshire"
"Why-er-e he started TO pro-
test
Don't pretend you don't compre-
hend,' she interrupted. you're asbam-
cd OF me too. You know you are.
No; let me finish" she insisted. when
he made as n 90 deny "The worst Of
all Is that even now, when I under
stand how mean and selfish II is TO feel
go, I'm Just overwhelmed with disap.
pointment still. You can't understand
nobody could but nm artist. NY
heart WAS set on a picture Of those
dear old things I'm their delicious work
Ing clothes And when ] saw how
they had gone and spoiled everything
/ felt so badly I didn't even want to
conceal g."
HolbrOok gazed with awe aud quick.
ching heartbeat upon new and
holier diyinity-with qulyerinG lips and
dewy loshes, irresistible I'm her sweet
repentance. In another moment he
was on his knees on the grass beside
her. Without hesitation, naturally as
II he had done Il as often as nc had
dreamed Of doing It, his arm slipped
about her. Just as naturally her head
somehow found n comfortable place OH
his shoulder Her hat fell OF. and he