Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-06

Miss Btnley gazed, speecniess IN nor
rified amaxement, as her two subjects
approached the gate. Gone were the
picturesque gowns and the sunbonnets
Of faded blue. In their place the kim
balls had donneds a verltable 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 decidfn'
what to wear" announced Miss
Phoebe when they came within speak
ing distance "Of course we wanted
to do you credit, SEEM you were so
kind. These silk mitts cost sight Of
money when Brother Hiram brought
them from Concord. They're pretty
well darned now. but all the merdip'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 as good as
new"
Holbrook welcomed the old lady's
volubility. for 1t was plain that for
once his companion was at loss for
words. When Miss Binley finally
| found her voice il was so queer and
strained that he scarcely recognized It:
"I-Pm sorry you went to all the
trouble Really, 1t wasn't at all neces-
sary. In fact
I'm fact" broke in Holbrook hur-
iedly-"nevertheless II was awfully
good Of you to fix up so. That GER
tainly is a fine piece Of goods. Miss
Martha. 1t will show up splendidly in
the photograph"
! He rambled on thus. hardly realiz-
ing what be said, anxious only to
! cover the bitter disappointment that
was written on Miss Binley's face so
clearly that he felt 1t must be evident
, to all.
"'Twarn't the least bit of trouble"
insisted Martha. I'VE really enjoyed
fixin' things over. didn't we. PhoebeY'
Holbrook was wondering how loog
his powers of invention wonld stand
the strain when, after a brief and-to
: him-uncomfortable pause, Miss Mar
/ tina suggested timidly, Were all
ready. miss. any time you say"
| To Holbrook's intense relief this ap-
peal brought Miss Binley to a sense
of the situation. "Oh. yes" she said,
rather wildly. your clothes are beau
tiful. I'm going TO send you each 4
dozen prints so that you can have
plenty to give your friends"
Declining q hospitable Invitation to
stop for q smack and cup of tea"
the girl and the young man somehow
got through their fsrewells and walk
: ed away over the hill. leaving the
wearied but thoroughly delighted old
,, ladies' gazing after them from their
station by the front gate. In silence
Holbrook lugged the camera. and
without a word Miss Binley trudged
beside him until the old house and its
grotesquely clad occupants were hid
den by the bend in the road. Then
the girl said:
"would you mind sitting here In the
shade a minute? / really believe I'm
q bit tired"
Immediately the youth was all anx-
/ ious inquiry and suggestion:
! at must have been the sun. You
have to be careful In these mountains.
| II You don't mind waiting here alone
} for a couple Of minutes I'll hurry back
and see II the old ladies won't lend
me some kind of rig to drive you
/ back to the hotel. or maybe you'll let
me carry you back TO their house"
Don't be ridiculous" ordered Miss
B!n,ey, with a slightly hysterical
! laugh. There isn't thing the mat
T, ter with me-" Then, noting his amaze
! ment, she burst out desperately: I'm
| Just fearfully disappointed. that's ALL
I don't believe ever was so disap-
/ pointed before In my life. But that's
/ only part I'm horribly ashamed Of
myself, too-even more ashamed than
disappointed Oh, I believe I'm the
neanest girl In the whole state Of
| New Hampshire"
1 uI-(l-Ck n0 StaAt w ~ -
| test.
Don't pretend you don't compre-
| hend.' she interrupted You're asham-
| ed of me toe. You know you are.
40; let me 6nish." she insisted. when
be made as II to deny. The worst OF
+, all Il that even now, when under
/ stand Bow mean and selfish Il is to feel
20. I'm Just overwhelmed with disap.
poinfment still. You cant understand
nobody could but an artist. My
heart was set on a picture OF those
dear old things In their delicious work
ing clothes. And when / saw how
they had gone and spoiled everything
7 felt 50 badly I didn't even want to
conceal st."
Holbrook gazed with awe and quick
enfnS heartbeat upon q new ano