The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-09
THE SILVER PURSE
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.

l. Copyright. 1919. by Associated Literary Press.)
1t was Fate that made Juet's birthday and that of
her prospective mother-aw come the same week.
1t is not expected that the course of true love will
run smooth, and heretofore, love affair of Juliet
had had no uneven places She loved her betrothed;
he loved her, and they both loved his mother
Now and then little Jealousy of Carriers mother
crossed Juliet's mind. The older woman was fasci-
been and never could be- Juliet pretty and fresh
and pink and white while Carriers mother was stately
AMI classic
The talked of the son and lover who
was in the far West. and planned for his home
coming.
He will get here in birthday week." the mother
said and we will have two cakes-a white one for you
and III have yellow ones. and we will have jonquls
and lilies of We valley In the middle of the table"
Their disappointment came when Carter wrote that
he could not get back In time for the celebration. He
and "a set Of Browning The TWO cards told that the
purse was for Mrs cEepral, the heeks fer Juliet.
Juliet eyed the silver purse wistfully had want
ed years. and Garter knew il She felt lit
tie hurt that he should have sent her books OF
on the fy-leaf he had written. With love- from Car
She took her books and home rather sobery.
That night she head them and finding certain OF the
exquisite love poems. thrilled and enraptured.
She wrote to Carter and told him how lovely of
him to think OF her and send a message OF his
love in the words of his favorite poet.
gether. Mrs. Crowe wore the silver purse. Juliet
with her shabby pocSetbook. and away the gla-
greved why should Carter add to his mothers beauty
with dainty tries. when that of his sweetheart needed
love of pretty things Yet he had sent her grave
Ts ter6 pS dnsarad t On the WITT,
light. ut was dear OF Carter to send this" she
said. did you like the books. JulietT"
l. Juliet answered family. The purse close range
seemed desirable and the books the shelf were
remote. She wanted something that could show
the girls something would glitter and swing from
silver chain and add the final touch to her costume
On the way home she still cherished her OF griev
To quiet her doubts she Carriers letter
1t written in his usual difficult scraw
1t slowly It breathed his love for her and she went
But the next day her best girl friend came to see
Mark asked
"Oh" Marys voice held enthusiasm. II hope
no one viii give me books for birthday. l think
a man ought to pick out something personal Did you
Juliet sighed she said
ut would have been appropriate for YOU
Mary said. Il don't what old like Ais
Te nes morning Mf r erom se to
81 have long letter from Carter she said.
scrawl my dear"
I'm come up Juliet promised. this afternoon and
"Come lunch" Mrs Crowel invited and Juliet
agreed.
While Mrs crowe prepared the lunch Juliet looked
over the letter
IT'S little hard to make out" she called to the
older lady in the other ROOM I'm read 1t aloud when
have aeciphered it
AS she read fish came to her cheeks and a light to
her eyes for this the letter
Mother Dear:--I have just received a note
from Juliet In it she thanks my gift
of Brownng's poems / also have letter from
matter of fact sent the silver purse to
Juliet, and the poems TO you--I know how
/
should have been disappointed. beca~.r IN
tended should have the books you have so
long coveted. But Juliet seems pleased that
hate to ten her Of her mistake WIN you buy
yourself the books? Juliet to have h
+ pretty things. yet knnwning her. feel that II
explain she viii feel 1t necessary to return
the books to and to take the silver purse
which would mean much less her. Some
day can give her all the trifies wear that
she needs, and she has called the books pre-
eious.' So don't tell her anything about it,
III write again and give lou the news:
this Is simply 10 correct my bifter. sup
pose the cards were mixed in way.
Yours always.