Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-17
A w edding Garment.
BY ETTIE ROGERS.

she is coming here for long VISIT. ANA
Cousin Sophronia is to be married next
month, and we are asked to the wedding"
Mrs. Parckley announced, as she laid down
the letter she had just read and turned
to impart the items of family news
his morning paper.
Sch? What's that ?" he calculated, as he
dropped his paper and hurriedly consulted
his watch, as if he had been reminded that
he was due at his office, and of which fact
he had allowed himself to become grossly
oblivious.
'fWe are invited to Sophronia's we'd
ding" reiterated the lady, abbreviating her
interesting gossip, as she noted his desper-
ate haste to be gone. "We must not send
excuses. I suppose p"
'Do Just as you like, Carrie. shall
agree to anything which pleases you, of
course" he declared, cheerfully.
'Well, then, we'll go, Lem. But must
have new gown though" she said, bright
"You must have no such thing" he
hastened to respond, decisively. ''You
have plenty of pretty dresses good enough
for the occasion, and besides l could not
possibly afford such an expense just
now"
3
but satin and the faded golden-brown velvet
and my black silk" she dissented, not very
meekly. BLACK is a hideous impossibility
for wedding, and I can get something
lovely in heliotrope OR bronze-green, which
would be good enough, for fifty dollars, if
I do the making myself and utilize the
laces I have already"
Gritty dollars % he echoed, as if he
were amazed at the enormity of such a
suggestion. 81 couldn't spare you fifty
dimes. When business is so dull and money
is so scarce you would be willing to deny
yourself nonsensical extravagances, /
should think"
81 don't indulge in cigars and wine sup
pers and all that, though" she retorted, in
voice not precisely facetious.
81 am astonished, Carrie; am astound-
ed, my DEAR at your reconsideration, at
your lack Of perception" he returned with
an air of vast injury. 81 do not know how
you can begrudge me such small comfort
as an occasional cigar when l am working
hard for you all day in a depressing office.
And wine supper is sometimes matter
of business, my dear, but of course you are
not expected to understand anything about
that but a man must once in while make
some show of good fellowship if he wishes
to prosper, my dear"
Perhaps the argument was sufficiently
convincing to her inferior understanding,
for she let him depart without venturing
contradiction or comment.
But she looked rather melancholy and
altogether neJtled as she sat before her
dainty workable and listened to the lordly
footsteps, sounding farther and farthe I
away down the pavement.
f'There is nothing so provoking as to
boua ona,S abso1uta Uauts aluaps criticised
as extravagant notions; there is nothing So
humiliating as to be obliged to have dis
pdte or never get what one really needs;
I had rather never have gown than plead
and parley as if l were begging some ex-
traordinary favor instead of requiring what
is necessity and right" she thought as
? indignant tears thicker and faster, splashed
down upon the glossy bosom of the shirt,
to which she was dutifully endeavoring to
affix the inveterately detached buttons.
She was too engrossed with the buttons
and the provocations to hear the soft rustic
of silkenNcloak behind her, or to see the
slim shadow of an exceedingly pretty girl,
who had mischievously tip-toed across the
room and just then stopped between her
and the sunny window.
But presently two roguish hands were
interlocked before her wet eyes, and two
sly red lips pressed merry kiss upon
her frowning forehead.
Mrs. Parckley, however, was not SO easily
scared by such affectionate trickery.
'sPrissie," she said quietly, but with a
sudden joyful infection in her fearful
yaice.
eyes; and I thought should surprise
you,'' said Prissie, pouting prettily with
rlimical ofense, although there was uncon-
cealable sisterly anxiety in her softly spark
ing dark eyes. ''But you have surprised
zse instead, Carrie Parckley, must say. l
have mind to go straightway bsck this
blessed mirute-I have indeed l had
anticipated meeting the most ecstatically
happy wife IN the whole wide world, and the
most sweetly adoring husband and here
you are, looking as desolate as a Chinese
widow, baptizing his shirt bosoms in cata-
racts of tears. What on earth is the matter
any how, Carrie? '
There was no evadinga query so direct
and blunt; and that Miss Prissie had deter
mined, then and there, to ascertain the
truth, and nothing but the truth, could not
|. doubted.
Is ''rThere isn't anything the matter-at
Esleast there isn't anything worth mention
ing stammered Carrie, Smiling little at
sshe railery, and comforted little, too, BY
be undertone of sympathetic concern. 81
santed some new inery for Sophronia' S
edding, and poor Lem couldn't spare the
ioney, that is ALL"
Poor Lem is greatly to be pitied, -
Irissie declared, with unblushing irony
y am afraid, Carrie, the woman's rights
ave missed bright ornament in not hav
z secured you.'
Z could never parley and wrangle about
hat ] ought to have" Mrs. Parckley
ID, with dubious resignation.
Tor /. 1 never could and l never
. Prissie admitted with delightful
pr. Il just take my rights every time
ally and collectively, without scruple
,ntroversy or ado"
t, Prissie, you have no dear husband
circumstances and inclinations you
suit, you know" Mrs, Parckley
recurrence of wifely dignity,