The daily gazette., 1880-05-07
The Wedding Dowry.
BY Il. @. C.

"Only one silk, and that not new
Dear me, dear me, it's dreadful p"
and Mrs. Greyson caught up the
pretty bodice of the garment in
question, and gave it shake.
Kathie, hemming rufties by the win
dow, laughed.
"What can't be cured must be en-
dured; there's no help for it.,
auntie," she said.
"Y es, there was help for it," cried
the lady, tossing the bodice from
her, eff you had taken my advice !;
but you must go and act like SIM
pletonl The idea of a girl of your
age giving away her hard earnings,
and then getting married without
even change Of clothingl l declare
it Is too absurd! And you are
making a good match, too. Charley
Montague comes of one of the best
families in the country, and he'll be
rich one of these days"
"At which time, let us hope, my
scanty wardrobe will be replen-
ished," said Kathie," merily.
Her aunt frowned contemporary.
"But what are you to do now ?"
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"
"Shabby garments?" said Kathie,
opening her bright brown eyes. "My
garments are not shabby, auntie. 1
am sure never looked shabby in my
whole life."
Mr.. Greyson glanced at the trim,
graceful little figure. The close
fitting blue merino was faultless the
linen cuffs and collars were as spot
less as snow. Kathie was right; she
never did look shabby.
Mrs. Greyson, Kathie's well-to-do
aunt, with daughters of her own, who
trailed their silks i'm the dust, and
tumbled their plumes and laces, and
looked dowdy all the while, regard
ed the trim little figure al the win
dow with a half-admiring, half-sneer-
ing 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! 1 declare it puts me out
Of temper to think of it."
"What else could do?" the girl burst
out, passionately. Could ste poor
Georges cottage sold over his head, and
he and his wife and children turned in
to the street,"
"Assured," answered the lady, coolly;
che could have rented house easily
ruough. In your place, should have
kept my money in my pocket; but you
wouldn't listen to my advice. You are
sorry for IL now, no doubt"
81 am not sorry. would do the same
thing tomorrow. Pm glad had the
money to pay poor Georges debt, and
don't care If do look shabby"
Every well, l shall not try to care Ell
ther. l shan't help you; told you That
IN the beginning. can't afford it; and
even if l could, should not feel it my
duty. You would be headstrong and
senseless; you must bear the c9nse-
quence' I'll give you some lace for
your neck and sleeves, and you may
wear the garnet set of Josephine's,"
81 don't want any lace-I've some
that belonged TO mamma; and i
wouldn't wear Josephine's garnets for
"Oh, very well; don't snap my head
of, | beg; you needn't wear them.
Much thanks one gets for trying to as
sist you'll You won't wear my hat Ell
ther, suppose; how about thai!"
81 have plenty of trimming; l shall
trim that light felt wore last win
ter"
Sand your jacket? where is that to
come from, pray?"
Kathie's tears were gone; her brown
eyes flashed like stars.
~ intend TO make myself a jacket of
old oyercoat," she re-
piled.
Kathle then threw aside her ruffles,
and going to the clothes-press, brought
out the old coat.
"The material is very 6ne," she said,
'and this rich, old fashioned fur will cut
into nice strips for trimming; can make
a handsome jacket out of it, and think
she added, softly, "grandpa would like
me to have it if he knew"
.'Grandpa, indeeom echoed Mrs. Grey
son. 81 should think you'd have but
little respect for his memory after the
manner he treated you; never leaving
you penny after you nursed him and
slaved for him as you did,"
81 think he intended to leave me
said Kathie. 81 know he
did but he died so suddenly, and there
was some mistake"
"Oh, nonsense l wouldn't give
Jig for good intentions He had lots of
knows that. 1t
las all gone to that scapegrace Dugald,
md you haven't shilling for your
dowry."
"Charlie won't mind that" said |
Kathie, her cheeks blooming like a
rose.
She took the old coat and crossing to
he window, began to rip the closely
stitched seams, her pretty, fresh face
ooking sad and downcast. Aunt
wordly-wise talk had put
Ter out of heart.
All her life she had been such a
)rave, sweet, little soul. Left an Or
,han early, she had lived with her
and made his last days
bright.
"You're dear child, Kathie (; by
.nd-by, when you think of being
bride, l will give you marriage dow
~"
He had said so dozen times, yet,
lfter his sudden death, one mid-winter