Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-08-09

She would run down to the orchard,
and see II Mr.. Dobbs were out She
must show that scarf. Mr.. Dobbs liked
pretty things, too. SO she crept quiet
~ downstairs, and avoiding the sitting
room, went out Of a side door. II
Miss Minerva saw her with the scarf
on, she would tell her not to be foolish.
Miss Minerva was still knitting
placldly, and Peter purred at her feet,
when, CHANGING to glance out of the
window, she beheld sight which made
her suddenly sit up stiff and erect In
her chair. Mr.. Dobbs crossing her
yard! He came on with long, rapid
stride that In few moments brought
him to her sitting room door, which he
opened after a warning knock. Miss
Minerva turned her stern gray eyes
upon him In cold inquiry He held
gay-colored silk scarf In his hand.
Minerva, why didn't you send 1t
back as l asked you, and then I'd q
known-and not waited and waited as
l did for months2" he asked reproach-
fully, as he looked alternately at the
scarf and Miss Minerva.
The latter made no answer, and Mr..
Dobbs went on: sour not agreein' on
sprinklin' or 'merslOn made no differ
ence. When man asks woman to
marry him, he naturally looks for an
answer"
Miss Minerva now found voice.
Jonathan Dobbs will you tell me what
all this means?" she asked frlgidly.
lie held out the scarf. "Why didn't
you send 1t back, II you didn't want
mel"
Miss Minerva stared at him in ever.
growing establishment. II don't know
what you are talking about. Send 1t
back? never saw the thing before"
as that really 30, Minervaf" he ask
ed eagerly.
'lt's not my habit to lie." replied
Miss Minerva, Jelly.
ave often had misglvings that there
was some mistake. l never had the
courage to ask you about 1t, for you
know how you treated me when We
met. Turned away your head and"
Miss Minerva rose impatiently.
"What are you talking about2 What
have to do with that silk thingf"
swell, Minerva, III 60 over the
whole thing. l 'spose you remember
our argument about baptism talked
the way | did just to tease you, but
you took II all for earnest. Now, I
had had It In mind for long time to
ask you n certain question, and day
or two after our misunderstanding !
was down to the city on business and
saw lot Of silk things like this in
shop window, and the ladies' was
wearin them around their necks-so
just thought I'd buy one and send
It to you, and at the same time ask you
that question. writ little note
and sent with II. II was tellin' you II
you was willin' to be Mrs. Dobbs to
wear 1t to meetin' the next Sunday,
and If not to send It back. But you
didn't wear 1t to meetin'. and you
didn't send II back"
AS Miss Minerva listened, her stern
face relaxed and softened light
shone in her eyes. Before Mr.. Dobbs
had finished, she turned her gaze to
the window, and there was q little
flush In her cheeks.
II never had note from you. and
I never saw that scarf before" she
said quickly.
II sent them by the hired man."
"That was the summer Cousin Mat.
tie Simmons was with me. Likely
was out, and he left them with her.
You know what scatter-brain she Is"
The color had deepened In Miss Mi
nerva's cheeks, and there was none Of
her accustomed severity Of manner.
She looked down at the scarf In Mr..
Dobbs' hand. 'But where did you get
1t nowf" she asked suddenly.
Elizabeth Ann found 1t In your at.
tic, and
elizabeth Ami" repeated Miss
Minerva.
"Never mind about her, Minerva
VIII you take It? You know the con.
ditions."
Miss Minerva took the scarf and
looked at 1t closely.
ut is good quality Of silk" she
said quietly. "But you know, JON
athan, I'm too old to wear such gay
cOlOrs.'
Mr.. DObbs
"Please yoursel