The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-07-27
THE WIFE'S VIGIL.

ILL w - - ~ ' - ~ AA>o
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 disigured her pretty young face;
not a frown of anger, but of perplexi-
ty, which deepened as she murmured:
..What shall l do? I must have it!'
Allie Leland was the only child OF
her parents, a 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 q cloud had darkened he1
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?" 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! dol
Il am not going, Vallie-that is, no
this morning; cannot"
'Why? Oh, how mean to disappoin
me! But why? Are you ill?"
mo, not i'll; but am afraid l can
not 90, Vallie," Allie answered, tears
already dilnming her beautiful eyes.
Il Just wish, Allie dear, you would
not keep me in suspense, but tell mt
all about it's
"Oh, might as we'll. You will be
sure to know it some time. Charley
would not agree for me to have thu
dress-that is, he has not yet. HI
spoke of the 'times'-are you not sict
of those words?-and thought l coule
re-trim one of my dresses-at least un
til after awhile. do believe Mr.. Clos
has been talking to Charley. His wifi
has worn just two dresses ever since
I've known her-a black silk and ;
black cashmere. Aud that is just th'
cause of Charley's sudden streak o
economy"
"Well, now, this is too bad. If yol
are to have it, it ought to go to thu
dressmaker this aftern oon. at the lat
est, to be ready for Friday. And, oh
Allie, almost forgot my news. Harr,
Nelson and his bride have returned
from their honeymoon, and are TO b'
at the ..sociable." You know he il
Mrs. Marsdeu's nephew. They sal
his wife is not very pretty. but so styl.
ish! and dresses just exquisitely! Why.
was it, Allie, you tossed him over:
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, must have it! never could have
them see me in anything but an Gle
giant toilette, for Charley's sake more
than my own. ! would write home te
mamma, and then should get it, only
| should be almost ashamed to, Tor i
is not a month since papa sent MI
twenty pounds for Christmas pres
ent: and, besides. there is not time 1ol
that. Well. will make one more al
tempt with Charley at dinner. II sue
cessful, can run right out aud get lt
l know what want A garnet sllt
and velvet. So will not have to los'
any time deciding about it. But yo'
must not wait for me. l will seno yo'
word if win him Over.'
Charles Leland was very sorry tina
he had felt obliged to leave his VIII
without granting her wish.
He knew she had worn all OF he
dresses a good many times. and n
knew also that her friend and forme
lover, Harry Nelson, and his bride
were to be present at the "sociabie.
So he wanted Allie to go in as elcSan
attire as possible.
He was turning it over in his mind
and trying to devise way to give ne
the desired amount He knew yer
we'll it could only be done by borrow
ing from some friend. He could no
think of taking it from his business
and he had never allowed Allie to g
in debt for anything; SO to borro'
from his brother William he had prett
fully decided when he entered III
counting-room.
He found Mr.. Close looking yer
much worried over an open letter tina
he held in his hand. Raising his eye
as Charles came up, he said:
s.Here is a pressing demand 1ro1
Barnes & Co. And we must IN som
way send them two hundred pounds .
later than tomorrow night. How ca
we do it?'
..Heaven only knows! What hav
we on hand?
LESS than hundred. 1t seems In
possible to make collections. But hav
It they must, or they will shut dow
on us, I'm very much afraid. Nov
hetween us. we must raise the amour