The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-08-15


such lovely sash, she thought. How
had her aunt ever thrown It Asidsf
She passed II about her waist and tied
1t In bow with loops that fell to the
bottom Of her skirt. A ray Of sunlight
flashed through the attic window.
Why, 1t had not rained much after Mll.
She would run down to the orchard,
and see II Mr.. Dobbs were out. She
must show that scarf. Mr.. Dcbbs liked
pretty things. too. So she crept quiet
ly downstairs. and avoiding the sitting
room, went out Of side door. II
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 Ia
her chair Mr.. Dobbs crossing her
yardi He came on with long. rapid
stride that In few moments brought
him to her sitting room door, which no
opened after a warning knock. Miss
Minerva turned her stern gray eyes
upon him in cold inquiry. He held q
gay-colored silk scarf In his hand.
minerva. why didn't you send Il
back rs ! asked you, and then I'd Q
known--and not waited and waited a.
j did for monthsf" he asked reproach-
fully, as he looked alternately at tho
scarf and Miss Minerva.
The latter made no answer, and Mr..
Dobbs went on: sour not aRreeln' on
sprinklin' or 'mersidn made no differ
ence. When man asks a woman to
marry him, he naturally looks for an
answer"
Miss Minerva now found voice.
Jonathan Dobbs will you tell me what
all this meansr she asked frlgidly.
He held out the scarf. "Why didn't
you send 1t back, II you didn't want
mel" tt
Miss Minerva stared at him In ever.
growing astonishment. II don't know
what you are talking about. Send II
backf I never saw the thing before"
rs that really 20. Minervar' he ask
ed eagerly.
"It's not my habit to Me-" replied
Miss Minerva, icily.
1--WE often had misgivings that there
was some mistake. never had the
courage to- ask you about It. for you
know how you treated me when We
met. Turned away your head ard"
Miss Minerva rose impatientfy.
"What are you talking aboutf What
have to do with that silk thingT
swell, Minerva, III 90 over the
whole thing. 'spose you remember
our argument about baptism. talked
the way did just to tease you, but
you took It all for earnest. Now, I
had had It In mind for long time to
ask you certain question, and 3 day
or two after our misunderstanding
was down to the city on business and
saw a lot Of silk things like this In
shop window, and the ladies Was .
wearin' them around their neckp-s0
just thought I'd buy one and send
It to you, and at the same time aak you
that question. writ . little note
and sent with It. 1t was tellin' Jon u
you was wiIlin' to be Mrs. Dobbs to
wear II to meetin' the next Sunday.
and II not to send Il back. But you
didn't wear It to nieetin', and you
didn't send It 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 little
flush In her cheeks.
II never had note from you, and
I never saw that scarf BEFORE" she
said quickly.
u sent them by the hired man.w
"That wns the summer Cousin MAJ
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 Aiss 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
It nowf" she asked suddenly.
"Elizabeth Ann found 1t In your ct.
tic. and
sElIsabeth Ami" repeated MIS-
Minerva.
"Neyer mind about her, Minerva
VIII you take IT. You know the con-
ditions."
Miss Minerva took the scarf and
looked at II closely.
I; ut II q good quality Of silk" she
said quietly. "But you know, JON
athnn. I'm too old to wear such gay
col0rs."
Mr.. Dobbs laughed contentedly.
"Please yourself. Minerva. 20 long ~
you take It."