Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-11-23

fpo hSot. A40i< Wal utOOc WAS Aua1tcus
land sadly needed replenishiug. Aunt
Grayson told the truth; she would
look shabby in the grand rooms at
Oaklands, in the midst of Charlie s
stately sisters.
The tears came faster, and pre-
Isently the sharp pearl-handled knife,
with which she was ripping the seams,
slipped suddenly, and cut a cash
right across the breast Of the coat. B
/ Kathie gave shrek Of dismay. i
'sThere, now, I've spoiled the best
of the cloth; I can't get jacket
from the much-abused old coat. What
shall 1 do?''
1 Down went the bright young head,
and with her face buried in grandpa's s
old coat, Kathie cried as if her heart
would break.
| Mrs. Grayson snored on the lounge,
the Maltese cat purred before the
hearth, the canary twittered, and out
above the wintry hills the sunset fires
lglowed in golden glory. A&zA 81
Here out, Kathie raised her head,
dried her eyes and went on with her
ripping, when something rustled under
her hands.
"Why, what's this? Some of grand
papa's papers!"
She tore the lining loose, and
there, beneath the wadding was a
package done up in parchment, and
tied with red tape and addressed in a
clear hand to herself. ##k
| Kathie drew it forth. One side was
marked: "This package belongs to
ray granddaughter, Kathie.''
"Why, what can it be?" cried
Kathie, her fingers futtering as she
tugged at the tape.
At last the knot yielded, and she un-
folded the package. Folded coupon
bonds "a round dozen at least-and
a thick layer Of crisp bank notes. On
the top a little note. She read it.
my dear little granddaughter,
here is your marriage dover. Two
thousand pounds. One day some
fine fellow-none other 1 trust-will
claim you for his wife. You are a
treasure in yourself, but take this
from old grandpapa as slight remem-
brance for all your care and kindness
to him. !"
i 20, grandpapa, then you did not
forget mel" sobbed Kathie.
| A ring at the door at that moment
startled her. She looked out and
saw her lover. Gathering her treas
ures into the lap of her ruffied apron,
she rushed out to meet him.
""Oh, Charlie, come in quick; I've
some wonderful news to tell YOU
i The young man followed her into
the drawing-room, wondering what
had happened.
"Oh, Charlie!" she cried breath.
lessly, holding up her apron, hel
eyes shining, her cheeks aglow; ''see
here, / am q rich girl after all!
have found my marriage dover. A
minute ago 1 was crying because
was so poor, and had nothing to give
you with me. 1 had to give poor
, George all my money, and I've only
, one silk and l had to trim my ole
hat over, and auntie laughed at me
so, and said you would feel ashamed
Of me. I was cutting up grandpapa''
old overcoat to make a jacket, and
found this; only see, two Thousand
pounds! o, Charlie! I'm so glae
for your sake"
The young man bent down ant
kissed the sweet, tremulous moua
with q full, glowing heart as he said
s'My darling" his voice thrilling
with tenderness, ''I'm glad of all this
because you are glad. For my owl
! part, l would rather have these dea
, little hands withouta shilling In them
You need no dowry, Kathie, you ar
crowned with beauty, and purity
l and goodness, and what could / wisl
more? In my eyes you are alway'
fresh, fair and lovely, no matter wha
you wear. 1 love you for your owl
e sweet self, rich or poor.''
,, Kathie let the folded coupons ant
bank notes slip from her apron ant
e fall to the floor in a rushing shower.
so, Charlie!'' she whispered, lean
t ing her head against his shoulder
4 II am so glad" l1 -.e
e "Glad of what, Kathie-granpapa'
e dowry?"
i. "No, glad you love me for my
d IseH.'' 6as .-rej s Il
J., He clasped her closely, and at thei
d feet grandpapa's marriage dcwry la
+ almost unheeded. zsess7as5 &
: Her aunt and her cousins, thoug
+ they pretended to be pleased and t
a congratulate her, yet it was easy t
$ see they were ehagzined. a s
The marriage proved to be happ
e one not only to the parties dlrectl
d concerned, but equally to ''Mrs
!, Montague, Of Oaklands," and he
r proud, stylish daughters.
The money given to Kathie's brotl
|, er proved to be the making of hin
+ He recovered his lost ground, and
g a few years he had accumulated
T handsome property, repaid his sist'
% all that he owed, though against b
's wishes, and showed to her how TO
Is tunate was the result of her iberaliI