The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-04-05
BIT OF GREEN
BY ELSIE COLBY.
tcCr:Es6t. 1918, western EeTspaper Unioa.j

Mrs. Dale, with hes three girls, Ann,
Betty and Kate, were seated ct the
supper table. Her husband died mary
years before, leaving a comfortable
farm, by which the DaleS managed to
earn their living.
Robert Gordon, whose father owned
the next farm, half aSmile away, had
been a great chum with the girls in
their early school days, but when school
had ended he had gone West to live
with an uncle. 1t was rumored that a
lovers quarrel hastened his departure.
81 should think he would have been
over to see us by this time," remarked
Mrs. Dale. "He always did enjoy
roaming around our farm" with a
glance at Ann.
'He1l be over, don't worry" Ann
said aloud, and to herself, "but Ill
manage not to be at home"
'eYou bet he WILL" declared Kate.
"Cause I'm going over to see him to-
morrow"
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: 'I'm going
blueberrying tomorrow morning. Any
body want to go with me?"
ST wish I could" answered Betty,
"but I've got some ironing to do"
Sand I've got to finish making that
blue dress of mine," answered Kate.
'Well, I guess you will have to go
alone, Ann" said Mrs. Dale. "You
know 1 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-sized pals Ann
started off.
'Look out for snakes" was her
mothers last warning.
Tt seemed to stay right in AIMS
mind, for she was always thinking
about them.
1t began to get late. Ann was pick
ing a few berries to have the pals
brimful, when she spied something
moving. 1t was green.
ga snake!" 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 suddenly-bump
What was that? Turning her head
Ann saw a fine-looking young man
looking down at her.
"Why-er-er, beg your pardon,
Rob. EFT mean Mr.. Gordon" she
painted
'Oh, that's all right, Ann. Er-Miss
Dale. But why the sudden rush?
ooh, I don't know; I'm so fright
ened! / 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, I was
so frightenedw
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,
Amp
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 I, 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 all
words, ''yes," had been said, Rob ques-
toned Ann.
''Well, dear, what do you want for
your engagement gift?"
can emerald ring" piped Ann.
"AG emerald! Don't you want a
diamond?
mo, an emerald. You see, it was a
green snake"
"Oh" laughed Rob. $50 that's it?
Well, you shall have it,"
"Well, you see, if it hadn't been for
that little green snake (Ann had fully
decided it was little) why our friend
ship would have been broken forever,
and now everything is mended. The
little green snake was responsible,
Rob-"
Rob agreed, and true to his promise
One night some days later the Dale
family was again seated at the supper
table.
"What's that you've got on your
finger there?" asked Betty. At the
same time pointing to the ring on the
third finger of AIMS hand.
"Why, that's a ring" answered un-
concerned Ann with a smile on her
face.
"Come, now, tell US all about II" J"
Dinnd Kofn