The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-09-21
Miss Lavinia's
Goblets
BY H. LOUIS RAYBOLD
g by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

"THERE he goes again. wbis-
pered Julia Bradley to her SIS
ter Martha, as she peeked through Gt1s
tightly drawn lace curtains of they
little-used parlor Third time tkzs
week. Now, what do you make of irzr''
Come out of this ice box" ceu-
planned Martie fretfully, land I'll tel
you. There's nothing more to see neg
he's gone in"
The two shawled old ladies, bort
such victims of rheumatism tkS
watching their neighbors and gossip.
ing over them was the only social ac-
tivity left them limped out to the more
cheerful sitting room.
Il think" said Martha, that 'VirM
has given up expecting Ben Cooper
will get over his ten-year crouch and
is setting her cap at this here old fal-
low from the city. Seems he's terri
BILE well-tO-d0."
well" said Julia emphatically, As
she settled down to her knitting, u
don't blame 'Vina, but what a city
man can see In an old maid like thar
with his money and smart looks, he
could get most anyone in his OWE
town, for all his age-that's what gets
me-"
did anyone ever really know"
queried Martha, "just what it was be-
tween the two of them that broke uy
the match and kept 'em not speaking
to each other for going on ten years
this spring."
well, they say" said Julia, ut w4s
something to do with those gobletS %
her grandmother's that 'Vinia sees
such store by. She had the even da2-
en-, until Ben up and broke one. They
quarreled over It and one thing LED
to another-silly young things they
were then-and-well, you know as
much as I do"
Folks are queer, sister," said Mar
tie complacently. "They sure are
queer"
1t was really unfortunate that the
cold had driven the two old women
from their post at the window quite
so soon. Hardly had they scuttled out
to the stove than Ben Cooper walked
slowly down the street. paused Il lnN-
mcnt at Miss Lavinia's clematish0rg
cato, then continued on his way
as it possible" Ben WAS thinkiuc.
that am going to see the only WON
an ever cared a hoot for. walE-1
off with by an old dufrr from toW,.,
He's called there now half Dozen
times. if what everybody tells ne il
true and that means business. WEI,
n fool have been not to have pocket
ed my pride years ago."
\ few minutes later, the Bradi,
sisters were rewarded for repoa;,s,
trips into the parlor by seeing tha
cOurtly figure of Mr.. Thomas Wcnd@l
emerge from their neighbours housc
across the street They would have
given much to have heard what 81
said as he lifted his hat to 'Yinia v-l2o
stood in the doorway.
81 can count on your answer We'd
neSday without fail? I thank YOU
That evening, well after dark. wher
Julia and her sister were pcaceabfg
knitting together, Ben Cooper made
his way to Lavinia's. They knew
nothing of bis visit. Lavinia herself.
when she saw his once familiar figure
at her door, drew back with her hand
still white and slender, against hev
throat. "Why, Ben" she breathed.
ITS me, 'Vinia," he said hoarseiy~
"I-I-er-that is, just had 20 SIZE
you. May l come in?"
A moment later and he was seated
stiffly on the edge of the long horse
hair sofa.
Tell me, Lavinia," ne demandc'.
sternly, SIS 1t true that you are going
to marry that old fossil from the
city,"
Lavinia gave an amused, throaIE
chuckle. IT don't know what business
it is of yours" she said, but I'm per
fectly willing to tell you he's coming.
for an answer Wednesday,"
"wednesday" repeated Zen help,
lessly. "Wednesday" Then. with one
single stride. he came over to her ana
picked her up in his two strong arms
"When he comes" he said harshiy~
you tell him you're going to he MIR
ried on Thursday to me. What fools
we have been, Lavinia! What years
we have wasted!" his voice broke ana
he pressed his head against Lavinia's
hair, as Layinia's two arms crept slow.
ly up around his neck.
Wednesday, Mr.. Thomas Wendell
came for his answer, nor did it appAr-
emily displease him.
"Pve dreaded to sell them. MI.
Thomas, for they were my mothers
and her mothers before her. There
were the twelve of them, but my
fiance accidentally broke one of them
I'm sorry to have kept you dangling
for price, but at last, seeing I'm g.
| ing to be married. l guess can Cat
the money for my trousseau."
rs that sol" said Mr.. Thomas WeA
dell politely any congratulations
and I'm grateful to get the goblets,T
Funny" said Martha Bradley cross
~, show some people have all the luck
Not enough men to go round and La
vinia with two Of 'em on her hands al
once, now that Ben's come courtinS
again, and some say they're going IL
be married tomorrow
Listen to me, sister," said Julia