The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1922-09-16
THEY ALWAYS Do
BY JESSIE A. PARSONS

would be most incorrect for mother to
announce our engagement earlier than
six weeks before"
"Then let's have the wedding six
weeks from today. Why not, pleaseW
pleaded Ralph.
Ridiculous exclaimed Sue. with
The bridesmaids not yet consulted, and
scarcely stitch of sewing DONE"
but, seriously, Sue, do please con-
slider the announcement You don't
know how I'm pining to have my
friends know that l really am lucky
fellow"
"Your friends have every confidence
In you, Ralph, and even l am willing
you should play with my little pals
without being labeled no trespass-
Ing"
But really, Sue, do you think it's
fair to all the others who like to share
your porch these summer evenings?
And how about the new parson-"
'How absurd you are, Ralph! Mr..
Ashby was forty yesterday. His sister
told me So"
Good old scout Of sisterv COM
mented Ralph.
And then, after fruitless arguing, he
marched dispiritedly away without no.
ticing the athletic-looking Mr. Ashby
walking with his swinging stride to-
ward home.
Ralph had scarcely gone when Sue
H. Dol, NC
sharp-faced individual. who was su-
perviSor of the church kindergarten.
It was on Sunday school matters that
she had come to consult Sue.
These affairs had just been des-
patched when Rev. Mr.. Ashby repassed
the house. Miss Palmer had all but
risen to go, when, on seeing the clergy
man, she sank further back in her
chair and tried to draw from Sue her
opinion of the new minister. Sue pre-
ferred, however, to talk about his sis
ter
"Why, yes, I like her." responded
Miss Palmer. "Being the pastors sis
ter is difficult place to fill Miss
Ashby is doing well, though, and is de.
voted to her brother. must say, how
ever, l should hate to be as curious as
Miss Ashby. She quizzed me about
everyone in the parish, and especially
about you-if your interest in the choir
and Sunday school was anything new.
Sue gave sigh of relief as her
caller left.
"What an unpleasant afternoon y
she mused. "Flrst nearquarrel with
Ralph, and then visit from Miss Pal
mer. Never mind, tomorrow 1 am go
ing to have my little playmates In
for tea"
At 4 o'clock they came, each carry
ing a gay knitting bag. Circled about
the fireplace, their fingers flew, busy
with crocheting or embroidery.
When Amy, the next bride-to-be, be-
gan to work an initial on damask
napkin, it was signal for much teas
ing. which quickly turned to another
suspected victim-Sue.
, "How mean you are to me, girls!
she cried, as she brought in a muffin
stand. "And after this plate of mar
guerites l made for Betty's special
benefit, too"
"As reward" said Betty. II mus,
read you letter from sister"
Eyes, let's hear what the babes do
ing now"
"Oh, thank you, ,adarling!" said Betty
to Sue, who had caused the tall lamE
to diffuse a glow of orange light in
the shadowy room. Eyes, here's the
part | want to read" she continued
turning two or three pages:
You know how quiet Muriel is-always
busy with the latest craze in embroidery.
or arts and crafts. She urged us to go
to Thoroughfield to see the handiwork
of an old hermit who makes the oldest
picture frames and napkin rings from
thin wood.
We finally discovered a path which
wound through the fields to the wood
workers hut. Neither shears nor comb
had been near the wood carVers heau
Tor some time.
Then we heard a suppressed sound OF
breathing in the next room. Finally TINS
came in short, sharp puffs. The door,
slightly aiar. was roughly pushed open
bv thick, knotted stick. woman.
head and shoulders taller than the dwarf
like carver stood in the door with blaz-
ing eyes. Brandishing her stick above
her head, she screamed in angry tones
.You girls can jest git out OF mere
mighty quick want you to understand
nv brother han't a marryin man!
"Why, Betty, how perfectly lovely!
shrieked everyone except Sue, who
ouietly began to serve the tea, and re-
mained unnaturally subdued until her
guests had departed.
Her mother found her, an hour later'
at the desk in the library, so buslly
engaged that she had not heard Anne
summons to dinner on the japanese
| gong.
"rm in ink up to my elbows mother
dear" she explained. But I'll come
in inst a moment. There are at least
40 notes l ought to send out tonlght 70
NV particular friends near at hahu'
I'm lust finishing one for Miss Ashny.
"What is it, child? Another party!
"No. mother; It's the preliminary TO
rhot Won are to send to the Star to-
morrow. It's our announcement.
Bio Electric Plants.