Smyrna times., 1918-11-20

After the dinner dishes were washed
and everything cleared away, the Dales
always settled down in their comfOrta-
BILE sitting room. The conversation
drifted to Robert Gordon and to vari-
Gus other topics of the day.
Finally Ann spoke up: "Tm going
blueberrying tomorrow morning. Any
body want to go with me?"
81 wish 1 could" answered Betty,
"but I've got some ironing to do"
"And I've got to finish making that
blue dress of mine," answered Kate.
"Well, guess you will have to go
alone, Ann" said Mrs. Dale. "YOu
know never CO."
The next morning Ann was up bright
and early, but not before her mother,
for Mrs. Dale was always up early.
With two goOd-slzed pals Ann
started off.
"LoOk out for snakes" was her
mothers last warning.
1t seemed to stay right in AIMS
mind, for she was always thinking
about them.
It began to get late. Ann was pick
ing a few berries to have the pals
brimful, when she spied something
moving. 1t was green.
"a snake! 2" screamed Ann.
She turned and ran just as fast as
she could go, looking back every now
and then to see if the reptile was
pursuing her, when uddenly-bumpI
What was that? Turning her head
Ann saw a fine-lOOking young man
looking down at her.
"Why-er-er I beg your pardon,
Rob. Er-I mean Mr.. Gordon" she
painted.
ooh. that's all right, Ann. Er-Miss
Dale. But why the sudden rush?
ooh, 1 don't know; I'm so fright
ened! I was picking blueberries back
there, when I saw a big green snake
coming right at me. and Iran, that's
all. Please don't call me Miss Dale,
Rob. Ann, if you please. Oh, was
so frightened
Ann swayed, but Rob caught her and
by tanning her with his hat he soon
brought her back to her senses again.
In her rush Ann had spilled most of
her berries and Rob helped her to fill
the pals again, and then accompanied
her home.
AS he left her at the gate he whis-
pered: ''We're all made up, aren't we,
AnnT
81 'spOse So" laughed Ann, and she
tripped into the house.
"What makes you look so happyY
questioned Betty as Ann entered.
"Oh. something" she answered.
"Well, keep it," Betty pOuted. "Kate
went over to see Rob, but they said
he had gone blueberrying. You didn't
see him, did yOu?"
"Didn't /, thought" sang Ann as she
sailed into the next room.
A week later as Rob and Ann were
strOlling along the country road, arm
In arm, and after the one word Of al
words, "yes," had been said, Rob ques
toned Ann.
"Well, dear, what do you want fol
your engagement gift?"
"An emerald ring" piped Ann.
"An emerald! Don't you want {
diamOndT
. mo, an emerald. You see, it was ;
: green snake"
"Ohr laughed Rob. $50 that's it
D Well, you shall have it."
8 "Well, you see, if it hadn't been TO
D that little green snake (Ann had full.
4 decided it was little) why our friend
D ship would have been broken forever
D and now everything is mended. TIL
3 little green snake was responsible
3 Rob-"
3 Rob agreed, and true to his prOmis
One night some days later the Dal
3 family was again seated at the suppe
3 table.
3 "What's that you've got on you
y finger there?" asked Betty. At tn
J same time pointing to the :iag on tn
3 third finger of AIMS hand.
D "Why, that's a ring" ans.:ered ur
concerned Ann with a smile on he
] face.
Q "Come, now, tell us all about it.
2 piped Kate.
. Ann did. She told about the gree
snake and all. Mrs. Dale wasn't
bit surprised, for she had been let int
the secret long ago.
Y The girls laughed and Betty san
out: ooh, you little green snakel"
= When Rob left to do his bit for Unc
= Sam, Ann sent him away with a smi
= although it seemed as though her hea
= would break. But perhaps she thougl
2 of the little bit of green that sent h,
z the good luck to have a soldier bC
z to send away with smile.