Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-05-11
Dick Madison. who had stopped in


He had barely time to exchange u
glance Will. Milly when Evalyn and
her friend monopolizcd his attention.
Half an hour later be left the store
With 4 Girl at either side, both talking
volubly.
MillN. standing straight and pale be-
hind the counter. listened to Miss Pet
tigreW's excited chatter with unsmilinG
face. The little miliincr was tWirling
the green hat on her outStrctched fin
gers.
Just think, my dear; she said she
would promise not to duplicate it,"
Suddenly She noticed Milly's sad face
and recollection came to her swiftly.
"Oh. my dear she added doubtfully.
II quite forgot that you wanted it
and, we'll, Milly, | always keep my
Miss Allen ut once that the hat is
promised to some me else"
Milly leaned against the glass case
and closed her aching eyes.
Miss pcltigrcw waited, her Worn lit
tie face sharply anxious @ the out
come of the matter.
"Never mind. Miss Pcttigrcw.' said
AIilly quietly. II think I'd better have
Il black hat. 1t will be more useful.
Besides. You can make double the mon
ey by selling this n to Evalyn Allen"
"Milly, | am relievcd.' cried Miss
Pettigrcw warmly. Il understand why
you're doing it, Hnd-wcIl, YOU can pick
out any black hat in the store. and I'll
trim it for You. and it won't cost you
Il penny"
Dick Madison was Il young civi! en-
%incer in charge Of the construction of
q new railroad bridge at Sunnybrook.
and Milly had learned To like him very
well.
He had dropped into the store to see
her. and Evalyn .\llcn and her friend
had monopoliZcd his attention. and in
the end they had carried him away
with them under the prcteXt of exam
lining the steering gear of their motor
car. AS if the chauffeur didn't know
all about that,
so Milly went home early that night
with Mrs. Br1nis' bonnet in a paper
bag and fGunl Il delicious supper of
hot WatlicS and honey. but she could
hardly eat Il mouthful, and when Mrs.
Bcmis questioned her closely Milly
burst into tears and ran away to bed.
Milly was lighting Il battle with her
self.
She was telling herself that Easter
had Il deeper meaning than the wear
ing of now clothes, and she felt that
She was Very wicked because she could
not place the spiritual significance OF
The great day above her own petty
vanity.
Eut Mi}Iy fought the battle and won.
and us u punishment to herself she de
cided not to have Il new hat ut ali
She would Wear her velvet winter hat
even if the day WIS very warm indeed.
SO she Went to sleep With Il smile on
her sweet lips. and when she awokc
in the morning there was peace in her
eyes and in her heart.
The following Sunday was Easter.
and. although MilIy did not see Dick
Madison in the interval. there was Il
little song Of c~ontcntmcnt %hubhling in
her heart-why. She could not have
told you.
Easter Sunday morning she too her
place i'll the choir, wearing her new
soft green dress and her black velvet
hat. under which her soft fair hair
curled alluringly.
Senator Aliens family came in, Ev-
allyn looking lovely in her new green
suit. with the becoming green straw
hat.
Milly saw Dick Madison come in
He walked slowly up the aisle. and
Mrs. Allen turned and hcckoned him
into her pew.
Milly's heart almost stopped beating
for ;n instant; then it resumed its even
strokes, for Dick smiled Il polite refus
al of the invitation and turned into
the humble pew of Mrs. Bcmis. where
he shared that little woman's prayer
book and hymnal With grave devotion
When it was all over Milly found
Mrs. Bemis and Dick waiting for he
at the porch, and they Went home to
gether. saying very little, but strange
ly contentcl. The Aliens motorcal
rushed past them, leaving a loud O.
dust behind. but the occupants did no
appear to see Dick and his friends.
Dicks coming to dinner" nnoun
ed Mrs. BemiS. I'm having frict
chicken and ice cream. You talk t,
him i'll the parlor. honey, while | Sc
the table. No. don't want any help!
In the parlor Milly composedly lai(
aside her hat and jacket, and Dick pu
his gloves and hat on the square piano
and faced the girl.
"Milly," he said with a trcmor i'll hi
peep voice. 1--WE got an Easter elf
for you'll you will accept it-and You
| acceptance Of it will mean a whole 10
; to me. 1t will make me the happies
MAI in the world" He stole Il glanc
at Milly's rosy. downcast face, and, lift
ing down q white hatbox from the pi
ano, he placed it in her lap.
9 open it," he urged.
Nillv nptjp1 thn xvhitn ribbons an