Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-07-11

mothers feelings the girl set her teeth
and bound her hair close to her head
with a shoestring. "Not to be changed
at the case" she told herself.
That her mother was watching she
was unaware. Just as she picked up
the beautiful brown ribbon Mrs. Com
stock spoke.
"You had better let me tie that. You
can't reach behind yourself and do it
right" 4
Elnora gave a little gasp. Her moth
er v before had proposed to do
anything for the girl that by any pos
sibility she could do herself. Her
heart quaked at the thought of how
her mother would arrange that bow,
but E)nora dared not refuse. The offer
was too precious. 1t might never be
made again.
"Oh, thank your said the girl, and.
sitting down, she held out the ribbon.
Her mother stood back and looked at
her critically.
You haven't got that like Mag Sin
ton had it last night" she announced.
"You little idiot! You've tried to plas-
ter it down to suit me, and you missed
ii. 1 liked it away better as Mag fixed
it after l saw it. You didn't look so
peeled"
When Elnora looked in the glass the
bow was perfectly tied, and how the
gold tone of the brown did match the
ulster Of the shining hair! Just then
Wesley Sinton came to the door.
"Good morning." he cried heartily.
"Elnora. you look a picture. My. but
you're sweet. If any Of them city boys
get sassy you tell your Uncle Wesley
and he'll horsewhip them. Here's your
Christmas present from me-" He
handed Elnora the leather lunch box,
with her name carved across the strap
In artistic lettering.
ooh, Uncle Wesleyv! and that was
all Elnora could say.
"Your Aunt Maggie filled it for me
for a starter" he said. "Now, if you
are ready I'm going to drive past your
way and you can ride almost to Ona-
basha with me and save the new shoes
that much"
Elnora slipped the strap and turned
back the lid. This disclosed the knife,
fork, napkins and spoon, the milk flask
and the interior packed with dainty
sandwiches wrapped in tissue paper.
and the little compartments for meat,
salad and the custard cup.
ooh, mother!!' cried Elnora. ooh,
mother, isn't it fine? What made you
think Of it, Uncle Wesley? How will
I ever thank you? No one will have
a finer lunch box than I. Oh. 1 do
thank you. That's the incest gift I
eve had. How l love Christmas in
September"
Its a mighty handy thing" assent
ed Mrs. Comstock. taking in every de-
tail with sharp eyes. Il guess you are
glad now you went and helped Mag
and Wesley when you could. Elnora?"
"Deedy, yes" laughed Elnora, land
I'm going again first time they have a
big day if I stay out of school to do
it,"
you'll do no such thing" said the
delighted Sinton. Come now, if you're
going!!"
IF l ride can you spare me time to
run into the swamp to my box just a
minute?" asked Elnora.
The light she had seen the previous
night troubled her.
Sure" said Wesley largely. he was
having such a good time nothing could
hurry him. So they drove away and
left a white faced woman watching
them from the door, her heart just
a little sorer than usual.
"l'd give a pretty to hear what he'll
say. to her" she said bitterly. al
ways sticking in. always doing things
l can't ever afford. Where on earth
did he get that thing and what did
it cost?"