Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-06-06
MaIdOnSThree
By Virginia Blair

Who would have believed it?" said
Betti. who was watching the window.
Here comes Sara, carrying a large
bundle"
IF we should write home" said
Anne. who was looking over her
shoulder. that the fastidious Sara
Woolworth had walked through the
streets Of London with such "a burden,
they would think it wasn't true"
We'll, we shan't write it," said
Betu, succinctly. Il wouldn't let them
know how you two dear things are
economizing so that I can stay for
anything in the world"
Delighted" said Anne lightly. and
leaned down to kiss BETH, who was
little and dark.
Sara came up the stairs two at a
time
Such a feast" she cried radiantly.
Il found a bargain in the bake shop.
Half freshly roasted chicken with
lots Of gravy"
we mustn't be too extravagant, $
said Anne.
Well. I'm simply starved" Sara
said, and besides I've had great luck.
Look here"
She unrolled the large parcel and
displayed several rolls Of paper-all
the materials for flower-making.
i stopped at the parish house on
my way home" she said "to ask the
ladies if they couldn't sell some of
my water colors NJ their fair. They
couldn't afford fresh flowers, SOL suc-
Sested Rose Festival with paper
roses everywhere. And they said
they would pay me for my work. and
they we're so pleased that they called
in the curate. Mr.. Griffith. and Oh,
Siris-you should see him,"
Tie others demanded. "Why?"
He's different from most of the
men over here" sara said slowly.
"ond-and. ii I were at an romantic.
J should say that In a poor London
c-ra5e J had met my Etc"
Eeti oSulted. "I knew il would hap.
zen some day. You've always scorn-
co the mon who loved you. and now
it's your turn"
Sara sighed. 81 wish il were. But
J am perfectly sure he never thinks
OF a woman. His mind seems to be
on Lis poor and his parish He didn't
talk q anything else"
some Cay he'll talk about you. II
Retti pIophesied. They all do"
No such luck" Sara mourned.
Alter supper, while the girls were
deep in their pretty task, there came
a knock at the door,
Sls Miss Wcolworth here?" asked
. deep voice. and Sara flushed as Bet
ii ushered in a tall gentleman in
clerical garb.
You see We are busy with our
roses, Mr.. Grimth," said the radiant
Sara.
They are beautiful" he said, but
! came over because you told me that
e one Of your friends might sing for
u.s."
"Oh, yes; Betti sings" said Sara
Would you mind?" he asked BETH
eve shall be glad to pay you a mod
est sum-"
Anything will do" said Betti hon
estly; we are awfully hard up"
He smiled. Then Wen consider it
settled"
When he went away Betti and Anne
fell on Sara's neck. Hes perfectly
lovely" they said; you have our
blessing"
Sara shook them off. Hes too fine
60 talk about in that way. Usually !
don't mind your teasing, but this is
different"
And it was thus that Sara Wool.
worth, cOnqueror Of hearts, fell in
love at first sight with London
curate.
The night of the festival the three
girls wore gowns Of crepe paper
Sara went as a yellow rose, Betti as
a pink one, and Anne in white.
The ladies received them enthus-
iastically. The decorations were love
1y, they declared. Sara's crate said
the same thing, and added, q feel as
if I were in dreamland"
Sara sighed softly.
He looked down at her quickly.
"Are things going hard with you?" he
asked. You must pardon me if !
seem curious-but life for you must
be struggle-you three girls alone
with only music and painting to sup
port you"
We've went hungry one night"
she faltered.
ooh, you poor little thing" he said
so terdeIly that sara wos conscience
stricken.
Il just felt too small for words"
she confessed afterward to the girls
HE thinks I'm poor, and it is so
blissful to know that he likes me for
myself Oh. / wonder what he Will
say when he finds out"