The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-11-08
TIE WIFE'S VIGIL.

Allie Leland sat in the same position
her husband had left her in half an
hour before at the head of the break
fast table. Her dimpled chin rested
on her hand, while a very decided
frown disiigured her pretty young face;
not frown of anger, bat of perplexi-
ty, which deepened as she murmured:
what shall | do? | must have it,"
Allie Leland was the only child of
her parents, petted and spoiled little
beauty, whose will had ever governed
the household since her baby tongue
could lisp.
Now, although not twenty, she had
for nearly three years been Charles
Leland's wife; and until this day
scarcely a cloud had darkened her
married life.
Young Leland was proud of his love-
ly young wife, and had been not only
a loving, but very indulgent husband;
far too much so, his friends said. And
now, at the beginning of the year, his
partner (whose wife was most pru-
dent and economical little body) had
advised reduction of expenditure.
The cloud that had arisen came in
the shape of new dress, which Allie
had declared she was compelled" to
have.
A merry voice calling "Allie! Allie!
are you ready?n was heard in the hall,
and Immediately after Allies great
friend and school-mate came in, eX-
claiming:
"Why, ] thought to find you waiting
for me! Come! hurry up! do!'
Il am not going, Nallie-that is, not
this morning; cannot"
"Whvp Oh. how mean to diSappoint
me! But why? Are you ill?n
mo, not i'll; but am afraid l cam
not 90, Vallie," Allie answered, tears
already dimming her beautiful eyes.
Il just wish, Allie dear, you would
not keep me in suspense, but tell me
all about it!'
ooh, might as well. You will be
sure to know it some time. Charley
would not agree for me to have the
dress-that is, he has not yet. He
spoke of the 'times'-are you not sick
of those words?-and thought | could
re-trim one of my dresses-at least un-
til after awhile. | do believe Mr.. Close
has been talking to Charley. His wife
has worn just two dresses ever since
I've known her-a black silk and a
black cashmere. And that is just the
cause Of Charley's sudden streak of
economy"
well, now, this is too bad. If YOU
are to have it, it ought to 90 to the
dressmaker this afternoon, at the lat
est, to be ready for Friday. And, oh,
Allie, almost forgot my news. Harry
Nelson and his bride have returned
from their honeymoon, and are to be
at the ''sociable." You know he is
Mrs. Marsden's nephew. They say
his wife is not very pretty, but so styl-
ish! ald dresses just exquisitely! Why.
was it, Allie. you tossed him overF
He had money enough, and good looks,
and winning ways to please any girl:
Il liked Charley better, that is all,
and have never regretted my choice.
But, Vallie, let's talk about the dress.
Oh. l must have it! never could have
them see me in anything but an ele-
giant toilette, for Charley's sake more
than my own. | would write home to
mamma, and then | should get it, only
Fshould be almost ashamed to, for 1T
is not month since papa sent me
twenty pounds for Christmas pres
ent; and, besides, there is not time for
that. Well. will make one more at
tempt with Charley ut dinner If sue
cessful, can run right out and get it.
l know what I want. \ garnet silk
and velvet SO will not have to lose
any time deciding about it. But you
must not wait for me. | will send you
word if l win him over"
Charles Leland was very sorry that
he had felt obliged to leave his wife
without granting her wish.
He knew she had worn all of her
dresses good many times, and he
knew also that her friend and former
lover, Harry Nelson, and his bride,
were to be present at the ''sociable. y
SO he wanted Allie to 90 in as elegant
attire as possible.
He was turning it over in his mind,
and trying to devise way to give her
the desired amount. He knew very
well it could only be done by borrow
ing from some friend. He could not
think of taking it from his business,
and he had never allowed Allie to go
in debt for anything; SO to borrow
from his brother William he had pretty
fully decided when he entered his
counting-room.
He found Mr.. Close looking very
much worried over an open letter that
he held in his hand. Raising his eyes
as Charles came up, he said:
Here is pressing demand from
Barnes & Co. And we must in some
! way send them two hundred pounds no
later than tomorrow night. How can
we do it?"
Heaven only knows! What have
we on hand?'
LESS than a hundred 1t seems inn
possible to make collections. But have
it they must. or they will shut down
on us. I'm very much afraid. Now,
between us. we must raise the amount.
You'd better see what you can do. |
will step homc for few moments,
and then see one or two friends where
there is chance of finding it. | may
not get back until time for your din
ner Then you can see what you can
do.n And SO saying Mr.. Close hurried
out.
so this is an end to Allies dress
And she will think that it is very IN