The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-07-20

such lovely sash, she thought. How
had her aunt ever thrown it aside?
She passed it about her waist and tied
it in bow with loops that fell to the
bottom of her skirt. A ray of sunlight
flashed through the attic window.
Why, it had not rained much after all.
She would run down to the orchard
and see if Mr.. DOhbs We're out. She
must show that scarf. Mr.. Dohb5 liked
pretty things, too. SO she crept quiet
ly downstairs, and avoiding the sitting
room, went out Of a side door. If
Miss Minerva saw her with the scarf
on, she would tell her not to be foolish.
Miss Minerva was still knitting
placidly, and Peter purred at her feet,
when, CHANGING to glance out of the
window, she beheld q 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 a few moments brought
him to her sitting room door, which he
opened after q 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 It
back as l asked you. and then I'd
known-and not waited and waited as
l did for months?' he asked reprOach-
fully, as he looked alternately at the
scarf and Miss Minerva.
The latter made no answer, and Mr..
DObbS went on: "Our not agreeln' on
sprinklin' or 'mersIon 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 tnfs means:" she asked frigldly.
He held out the scarf. "Why didn't
you send 1t back, if you didn't want
me"
Miss Minerva stared at him in ever
growing establishment. II don't know
what you are talking about. Send 1t
back? l never saw the thing before"
as that really so, MinervaT" he ask
ed eagerly.
Its not my habit to lie," replied
Miss Minerva icily.
ave often had misgivings that there
, was some mistake. l never had the
courage to ask you about it, for you
know how you treated me when we
met. Turned away your head and"
Miss Minerva rose impatiently.
"What are you talking about? What
have l to do with that silk thing"
"Well, Minerva, I'll go over the
whole thing. l 'spOse you remember
our argument about baptism. talked
the way l did just to tease you, but
, you took it all for earnest. Now, l
had had it in mind for long time to
ask you q certain question, and day
or two after our misunderstanding l
, was down to the city on business and
saw lot of silk things like this In a
shop window, and the ladies was q
, 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 q little note
, and sent with 1t. 1t was teiltn' you If
! you was willin' to be Mrs. Dobbs to
wear it to meetin' the next Sunday,
= and If not to send 1t back. But you
i, didn't wear 1t to meetin', and you
h didn't send 1t back"
! AS Miss Minerva listened, her stern
face relaxed and a softened light
j, 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.
! 81 never had a note from you, and
4 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
6 The color had deepened in Miss Mi
;, nerva'S cheeks, and there was none OF
N her accustomed severity of manner.
;, She looked down at the scarf in Mp
Dobbs' hand. But where did you gel
o 1t now?" she asked suddenly.
- elizabeth Ann found it in your at
+ tic, and
= elizabeth Ami" repeated Mis-:
Minerva.
. "Never mind about her, Minerva
Z viii you take it? You know the con
q ditions."
- Miss Minerva took the scarf ant
g looked at it closely.
r at is a good quality Of silk" sh'
p said quietly. "But you know, Jon
n athan, I'm too old to wear such ga.
t colors."
= Mr.. Dobbs laughed contentedly
% please yourself, Minerva, so long a
: you take it."
c.