The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-15
THE WEDDING DOWRY.

Mrs Grayson caught up the pretty bod
ice Of the garment in question, and gav'
it shake. Kathie, hemming rufties BY
the window, laughed.
"What. can't be cured must be en-
dured; there's no help for it. auntie,
she said.
eyes, there was help for it," cried the
lady, tossing the bodice from her. "h
YOU had taken my advice; but you mus
act like a simpletonl The idea of CIR
Of your age giving away her hard earn
ings and then getting married without
even decent change of clothing! l de-
clare it is too absurd! And you are
making a good match, too. Charley
Montague comes of one Of the best fam
lilies in the country, and he'll be rich one
of these days."
"At which time, let us hope, my
seanty wardrobe will he replenished, /"
said Kathie, merrily.
Her aunt frowned contemptuously.
"But what are you going to do nsw?'
she went on. "What do you think Mrs.
Montague, Of Oaklands, will think Of
you when she sees your marriage outfit! =!
Wait until she sees you in your shabby
garments" y
"Shabby garmentsw said Kathie,
opening her bright brown eyes. my
garments are not shabby, auntie, I am
quite sure | never looked shabby in my
whole life"
Mrs. Grayson glanced at the trim,
graceful little figure. The close-6tting
merino was faultless; the linen cuffs and
collars were as spotless as snow. Kathie
was right; she never did look shabby.
Mrs. Grayson, Kathie's well-to-do-
aunt, with daughters of her own, who
trailed their silks in the dust, and tuna
bled the plumes and laces, and looked
dowdy all the while, regarded the trim
little figure at the window with a half
admiring, half-sneering smile.
"Such a simpleton as you've been,"
said her aunt, "after toiling and teach
ing for your money, to turn round and
give it away! / declare it puts me out
Of temper to think of it,"
"What else could | doT' the girl burst
out, passionately. "Could / see poor
Georges cottage sold over his head, and
he and his wife and children turned into
the street%
"Assuredly, answered the lady, ,coolly,
che could have rented house easily
enough. In your place, should have
kept my money in my pocket; but you
wouldn't listen to my advice. You are
sorry for it now, no doubt"
"I am not sorry. I would do the same
thing again tomorrow. Pm glad | had
the money to pay poor Georges debt,
1 and don't care if I do look shabby"
Every well, l shall not try to care
either. shan't help you; told you
that in the beginning. / can't afford it;
even if l Auld, / should not feel it my
duty. Yoa would be head-strong and
senseless, you must bear the conse-
quence. I'll give you some lace for
your neck and sleeves, and you may
wear that garnet set of Josephine's"
81 don't want any lace-Pve some
that belonged to mamma; and
wouldn't wear Josephine's garnets for
anything"
"Oh, very well! don't snap my head
off, I beg; you needn't wear them. Much
thanks one gets for trying to assist you
You won't wear my hat either, l sup
pose; how about thatf'
II have plenty of trimming; I shall
trim that light felt wore last winter.
"And your jacket? where's that t(
come from, prayT
| Kathie's tears were gone; her brown
eyes flashed like stars.
! II intend to make myself Jacket o
grandfather's old overeoat," she replied
Kathie then drew aside her ruffies, ,ant
going to the clothes-press, brought GU
the old coat.
"The material is very fine" she sale
"and this rich, old-fashioned fur will Gu
into nice strips for trimming; 1 Ca
; make handsome jacket out OF it, and
think" she added, softly, "grandp
would Like me to have ii if he onl
knew"
: "Grandpa, indeedp' echoed Mrs. Gray
son. 81 should think you'd have bu
! little respect for his memory after tn
D manner he treated you, never leavin
| you penny, after you nursed him an
S slaved tor HIM as you did"
, 81 think he intended to leave m
' something" said Kathie. II know
5 did; but he died so suddenly, and thel
D was some mistake"
ooh, nonsensel I wouldn't give f
!. for good intentions! He had lots
, money-everybody knows that. 1t h,
: all gone to that scapegrace Dugafd, an
you haven't shilling for your weddir
. dowry.
Charlie won't mind that" sal
' Kathie, her cheeks blooming Like a ros
J. She took the old coat and crossing
e the window, began to rip the close
s stitched seams, her pretty, fresh fa'
$ looking sad and downcast. Aunt Ora
|, sons worldly wise talk had put her o,
t Of heart
K All her life she had been such brav
Q sweet, little soul. Left an orphan earl
+ she had lived with her grandfather, ar
+ made his last days bright.
' "You're dear child, Kathie; by-an