The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-06-21

llNIlIa FilllfANAilE WIS AWlNNA III MlilNN
tissue paper. Elizabeth Ann opened
II. and long Roman striped silk scarf
fell out In gllstenlng folds. II was
soft and ilne and Of beautiful color,
Ing. the ends deeply fringed. Ellz-
abeth Ann gave an exclamation Of de-
light. She had passion for rich col,
ors, and this wns the most beautiful
thing she had ever seen. Severe plain
ness of dress was part OF Miss Min.
eTva's creed
Elizabeth Ann smoothed out the soft
folds again and agaln. II would make
such lovely sash. she thought. How
had her aunt ever thrown It asidel
She passed II about her waist and tied
1t In bow with loops chat fell 10 the
bottom of her skirt. A ray of sunlight
flashed through the attic window.
Why, 1t had not rained much after all
She would run down TO the orchard,
and see II Mr.. Dobbs were out She
must show thnt scarf. Mr.. Dobbs liked
pretty things, too. So she crept quiet
ly downstairs, and avoiding the sitting
] room, went out Of n 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 a sight which made
her suddenly sit up stir and erect In
her chair. Mr.. Dobbs crossing her
yard He came on with long, rnpid
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
gly-colored silk scarf in his hand.
Minerva, why didn't you send II
back as 1 asked you, and then I'd n
known-and not waited and waited as
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 agreein' on
sprfnklin' or nmersfon made no differ
ence. When a 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 means?" she asked frigidly.
He held out the scarf. "Why didn't
you send it back. if you didn't want
me?'
Miss Minerva stared at him in ever
f-1antKriner faF1r at DOME IrnnTu
what you are talking about Send 1t
back7 I never saw the thing before"
rs that really so. MinervaP' he ask
ed eagerly.
Its not my habit to ne." replied
Miss Minerva. icfly.
I've often had mfsgfvings 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 and"
Miss Minerva rose impatiently.
what ure you talking about? What
have to do with that silk thfng?"
'WeIl, Minerva, I'll GO 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, l
had had It in mind for long time to
ask you a certnin question, and a day
or two after our misunderstanding I
was down to the city on business and
saw a lot of silk things like this in a
shop window, and the ladies was a
wearin' them around their neclls-so
1 just thought I'd buy one and send
it to you, and ut the same time ask you
that question I writ u little note
and sent with it. It was teIIin' you if
you was willin' to be Mrs. Dobbs to
wear it to meetfn' the next Sunday,
and if not to send It back. But you
didn't wear it to meetfn', and you
didn't send it back"
As Miss Minerva listened. her stern
face relaxed and a 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
"I never had a note from you, and |
never saw that scarf before" she |
said quickly.
II sent them by the hired man"
THAT was the summer Cousin Mat
lie Simmons was with me. Likely
vas out, and he left them with her.
You know what a scatter-brafn she Is"
The color had deepened in Miss Mi
lerva's cheeks, and there was none of
Ter accustomed severity Of manner.
She looked down at the scarf in Mr..
Oobbs' hand. But where did you get
t nowT she asked suddenly.
Elizabeth Ann found it in your at
ic, and
Elizabeth Annr" repeated Miss
Minerva.
''Never mind about her, Minerva
VIII you take it1 You know the con-
itions-"
Miss Minerva took the scarf snd
Doked at 1t closely.
at is a good quality Of sfIk," she
aid quietly. But you know, JON
than, Tn too old to wear such gay
olorS."
Mr.. Dobbs laughed eontcntedly.
Please yourself, Minerva. so long as
on take it"
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