Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-01-05
KATHIE's WEDDING DOWRY.

'Only one silk dress and that not new
Dear ne, dear me, it is dreadful" and
Mrs Grayson caught up the pretty bodice
OF the garment in question, and gave it q
spltefui little shake. Kathie, hemmina
ruft1es by the window. laughed.
"What can't be cnled must be endured;
there's no help for it. auntie,'' she SAID.
~ es, there WAS help for IT, cried the
lady, tossing the bodice from her, ''if You
had takAn my advice; but you must e
and act like simpleton! The idea of =
girl your age giving away her hard earn
ings. and then getting married without a
decent change of clothing! declare it is
J too absurd. And you are making such a
good match, toe Charles 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 scants
wardrobe will be replenished," sald Kath-
merrily.
Her aunt frowned contemptuously.
But what are you to do ;nowp" she
went on. what do you think Mrs. Non
tague. of Oaklauds, will think of you,
when she sees your outfit?'
mot one whit less than She thinks of
me to-day" answered Kathie, stoutly.
Mrs. Grayson laughed 10 scorn.
'Yo1 poor little simpletonl Wait until
you know the world rs 1 know it, and
you'll change your tune. tell you Katb-
lie, appearance is everything. Your BRIDE
groom himself will feel ashaued of you
when he sees you in the midst of his state
ly sisters. in the grand room of Oak
J lands"
Kathie WINGED, but she answered. brave
lg:
81 don't believe Charlie will ever feel
ashamed of me-"
swat until he sees you in your shabby
garments
''Shabby garments!" said Kathie. open
ing her bright brown eyes. my garments
| are not shabby, auntie. am quite sure
never looked shabby in my life."
| Mrs. Grayson glanced at the trim, graca
| ful little ilsure. The close-fitting blue
merno was faultless; the linen cuffs and
| collar were as spotless as snow. Kathis
was right; she never looked shabby. Her
garments seemed to be part and parcel If
herself, like the glossy feathers and black
| tufJ of canary. Yet these same gar
ments were usually made of all sorts Of
odds and ends. for Kathie was poor, and
obliged to be -rigidly economical But she
was possessed of tact. Or talent, or what
ever it may be called, which Is more to a
soman than beauty or fortune; which en-
.hles her by the mere skill of willing fing-
ars and artists soul, to make life. her
| nome, her own person, "a thing of beauty
md a JOY forever"
Mrs. Grayson. Kathie's well-to-do aunt.
with daughters of her own. who trailed
their silks In the dust and tumbled their
laces and plumes and looked dowdy all
the while, regarded the trim little figure
by the window with half-aLmiring, half
contemptuous smile.
You're rather pretty girl, Kathe,
aud you understand the art of getting
Yourself up in good style. What you've
GOT will do we'll enough, but there's 80 lit.
tie of it. Your bridal outfit is shameful,
upon my word. What will you do for car
riage dre1 - when you are Charlie Mon
tasue's wife? Why, when 1 was a bride
had everything; round dozen OF silks
of every hue, poplins, merinos, tissues and
half dozen sorts Of wraps. | didn't go
to James Grayson bare Of clothes, tell
you"
Kathe said nothing. She bent over her
rufles. her bright eyes dim with tears.
Such simpleton as you've BEEN her
aunt continued. latter tolling and teach
ng for your money. to turn round and
give it away declare it put me out Of
emper to think of it,"
.sWhat else could do?" the girl burst
nut, rassionatey. "Could see poor
Georges cnttaga sold over his head and he
nd his wife and children seut into the
reet?"
"Assuredly, answered the lady coolly,
.-he could have rented a house easy rnongh.
In your place I should have KEEP. my mon
~ in my pocket; but YOU wouldn't list N
D my advice. You are sorry for it nov,
a. doub'.''
II am not sorry. I would do the same