The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-02-26
THE WEDDING DOWRY.

dear me, 1t Is dreatful!' and Mrs. Grayson
caught up the pretty bodice OF the garment in
question and gave it shake. kathie, hem
ming ruilles by the window, laughed.
"What can't be cured must be endured;
there's no help for it, auntie," she said:
"Yes, there was help for it," cried the ledy,
tossing the bodice from her, "lf you had taken
my advice, hut you must 60 and act like a
slmpleton! The idea OF girl of your age
giving away her hard earnings, and then get
ting married without even a decent change of
clothing! And you are making good match,
too Charley Montague comes OF one of the
best families In the country; hell be rich one
Of these days"
AT which time, let us hope, my scanty
wardrobe will be replenished' said kathic,
merrlly.
Her aunt frowned contcmptuously.
"But what are you TO do now =" she went on.
What do you think Mrs. Montague, of Oak
lands, will think OF you when she secs your
marriage outitY Wait till she sees you III
your shabby garments"
shabby garments" SAID kathie, opening
her bright, brown eyes. my garments are not
shabby, auntle. | am quite sure never look
ed shabby in my whole life"
Mrs. Grayson glanced at that trim, graceful
figure. The cl0se.itting, blue merino was
iaultless; the linen cuffs and collars were as
spotless rs snow katne was right, she never
did look shabby.
Mrs. Grayson, kathes wcll-to.do aunt with
daughters Of her own, who traled their silks
in the dust and tumbled their plumes and
laccs, and looked dowdy all the while, regard
cd the trim little figure at the window with a
hafadmirlng, halfsnecring smile
"Such simpleton as you have been," said
her aunt. After tolling and teaching for your
money, to turn round and give it away. de.
clare, 1t really puts me out of temper to think
of it,"
What else could dog" the girl burst out,
tage sold over his head, and he and Ills wife
and children turned into the streelr
"Assuredly," answered the lady, coolly; "he
c0ula have rented house easily enough. In
your place, should have kept my money in
my pocket; but you wouldn't listen to my nd.
vice You are sorry for it now, no doubt"
81 am not sorry | would do the same thing
again tomorrow. Pm glad had the money
to pay poor Georges debts and don't care
if do look shabby"
Every well, shall not try to care either
shant help you; told you that in the begin
ming. can't afford it; and even if could !
should not feel 1t my duty. You would be
headstrong and senscless, you must bear the
consequences. I'll give you some lace toI
your neck and sleeves, and you may wear that
garnet set Of Josephines."
II don't want any lace--I've some that be
longed to mamma; and | wouldn't wear Jose
phncs garnets for anything"
"Oh very well; don't snap my head off
you needn't wear them. Much thanks one
gets for trying to assist you You won't veal
my hat, either, suppose-how abo1t that? y
IL have plenty Of trimming; | shall trim
that light felt wore last winter"
"And your jacket' Where's that to com,
from, prayy"
Kathes tears were gone; her brown eye.
flashed like stars.
Il intend to make myself jacket of grand
fathers old overcoat," she replied
kathe then threw aside her ruffies, an(
going TO the clothes press brought out the ok
coat.
THE material is very fine" she SAID, "ant
this rich, old-fashloned fur will cut into mic
strips for trimming / can make handsom
jacket out of IL, and think" she added softly
grandpa would like me to have It, If 1t
knew It,"
"Grandpa indeed" echoed Mrs. Graysor
Il should think you'd have but little respec
for his memory after the manner he trcate
you; never leaving you a penny, alter yo
nursed him and shaved for him as 20 did"
II think he intended 10 leave me snmt
thing" SAID Kathie. II knew he did; but h
died 80 suddenly, and there was some NIL
take"
"Oh, nonsense! | would not give fig 70
). good intentions. lie had lots of money--cvcry
body knows that. 1t has all gone To tina
scapegoat, Dugald. and you haven't a shilln
- for your wedding dowry"
Charlie won't mind that" SAID Kathie, he
cheeks blooming like a rose.
She took the old coat and, crossing TO III
window, began to rip the closely -s,itcne
seams, her pretty face locking sad and dowr
cast Aunt Grayson's worldly wise talk ha
put her out Of heart.
All her life she had been such brave, swee
little soul. Lett sn orphan early, she had n,
ed with her grandfather and made his las
days bright
aYou arc dear child, Eathie; by.and-b,