The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1919-05-16
A BOLT OF RIBBON
BY SHIRLEY syMoNDs

INUNNitIs Oilf iNdAihf Fit NN'NNs ~"
he stopped the motor "wlll You drive
back TO the Emporium for a bolt OF
baby blue ribbon? YOu can just about
make II before they close. One bolt
Of baby blue--No. / can You remem'
ber?'
"Sure. mother" responded Ralph.
olllgingly, hut why don't you jump
In and 90, too?"
II can't; | have TO prepare supper.
hurry, now. dear or youll be too
late"
Ralph, grlnnIng good.naturedly.
swung The car around and was off TO
do his mothers bidding. while she,
/ with little thrill Of pride. re-entered
Tie house little dreaming that back ut
the Emporium, Cupid, perched on a
bolt Of blue ribbon. lay in wait for
her unsuspecting son.
Life behind the ribbon counter at the
Emporium was not very thrilling; at
least. so thought Carol Warren glanc-
ing at the clock which pointed five
minutes to closing time. A lonely girl
in q strange city, she felt particularly
tired and depressed this evening; but
when the forelady handed her her
weeks pay envelope and she remem-
bered HAT she had but % cents left
In her purse, she felt suddenly CRATE
ful for the position. tiresome though
II was With the small envelope still
In her hand she was drawing the cover
over the counter when Ralph stepped
briskly up and asked for bolt Of baby
blue nbb0n--NO. J. Carol looked up
and the tired expression In her eyes
smote him to the heart. At the same
time he thought he had never seen a
prettier girl. Carol. flushing beneath
his gaze, patiently turned to the
shelves behind her. "Baby blue--NO. J..
did you say?" "Yes, please" answered
Ralph. already struck with Cupids
dart, and lost in admiration of the
small figure before him. Speedily pro-
Gucing the ribbon, Carol slipped it into
an envelope and passed 1t to Ralph IN
exchange for the proper change. For
mn instant their eyes met and each was
conscious of queer little tlutter about
The heart that was most disturbing.
Ralph left the store rebelling against
those conventions which forbade him
Offering the little lady behind the rib
hon counter seat in his car.
Mother, here's your baby blue rib
bon" he called some moments later on
reaching home. Supper smells good
"Why, what is this!' exclaimed Mrs.
Beaton and Ralph. looking up, saw
that she held small envelope in her
hand. He saw instantly that 1t was a
nav envelope and remembered seeing
ii in the hand of the girl who waited on
him at the ribbon counter. In some
way she had slipped it into MS pack
are In his heart he was eXulting, for
il was a chance to see her again. EX-
pnining to his mother, he appropriated
the small envelope, promising to return
il TO its rightful owner the next morli-
ING. His eye fell back to the album
nnd-wonder of wondcrs-he was gaz-
ing straight ut the features of the girl
of his thoughts, Mother, Ehc Is this
he asked excitedly.
"That," replied Mrs. Benton, looking
over his shoulder, sis the picture of my
dearest girlhood friend, Annie Gordon.
well" commented Ralph, IF L
didn't know that people change some
what with years should say that at
6 o'clock tonight she was behind the
ribbon counter at the Emporium.
Carol missed the pay envelope direct
ly after Ralph had gone. "What are
YOU looking for?" said girl across
the aisle as she pinned on her nat
"Oh. Minnie, I've lost my pay epVel-
ope." said Carol almost in tears
can't find it anywhere" TOO bad
said Minnie, but you had it In your
hand when you waited on the nice
Young man. saw 1t. Bet you anything
Won GOT it into his package" On
could l have done thatY' said poor
little Carol; "but l don't know VINO
he was, and" ut was young Ralph
Benton, the lawyer" informed Minnie
81 know because saw his picture IN
the paper when he was admitted TO the
bar, and / never forget good-looklhS
faces. should go to his house ana
see if he has it," and Carol, in her
straits, grasped at the straw of nope
and decided to follow her friends adj
vice. 1t was nearly when she reached
the Beaton home and timidly rang the
bell. Mrs. Bcaton herself opened the
door, and at sight of the girl on the
threshold her heart leaped tremendous
Nv. Carol tried to speak, but Mi'j. Bea-
ton was too much moved to hear her.
"Forgive me. dear" said the older wo-
man, ''hut you do look so much like
ten me, was Annie Gordon your
mother?" "Yes," replied the @emhllng
girl. "Oh. my dear come in" bnd Mrs
Beaton almost pulled the SURPRISED girl
inside the CHEEKY living roo4, where
Ralph sat by the table readiilg. Start
ing up at sight of Carol, he heard his
mother say: 81 am sure this is the
young lady whose pay envelope you
brought home tonight, Ralph; ana she
is also the daughter of my dear girl
hood friend" There were happy tears
in Mrs. Beaton's eyes as shelwelcomed
the shy stranger to her heart ana
home. and TO Ralph il seemed that