Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-11-21
this identical goods. How many yards,

bewildered her and she stammered.
"Sixteen yards, please"
In a minute the shimmering stuff
was cut off; then there were Innings
and threads to be bought, and, some
minutes later, when Maggie emerged
from the store, it was with u diminu-
tive parcel and an empty p~ocketbook.
As she hurried across to Simeon
Grants, she told herself that she ought
to have gone to the insurance office
first But it really didn't matter after
all. And pink satin gowns were not to
be picked up at such prices every day.
She found the abstract office locked,
but there was a card III the door. She
stood on tip-toe to read it. Mr.. Grant
was ont of the city and wouid not re-
turn until next week. Her first inn
pulse was to rush over to the bank and
tell Dick all about it. But what was
the use, it would only trouble him.
She would get the money next week;
then she would tell him.
1t was almost tea time when she
reached home; she did not wait to re-
move her wraps, hut with trembling
fingers opened her bundle, Somehow
the beauty of the pink satin seemed TO
have departed. In the glare of day
light it certainly looked different. 1t
was coarse and tiimsy and the cotton
filling was painfully conspicuous.
Maggie laid the new dress away, but
all the next day her Sunday medita-
tons were disturbed by visions of it.
On Monday morning, as soon as Dick
was fairly out Of the way, she drew out
her cutting table and began work in
earnest. But things did not progress
smoothly, The goods frayed and
raveled at every touch; and there was
certainly not enough to make the dress
as she had planned. She was begin
ming to feel cross and worried when
some one raped lightly. Throwing
something over her work, she opened
the door to find Mrs. Sanders smiling
and debonair.
Good news" she exclaimed, gayly,
throwing herself into a chair. Bailey
las NpIlNNlNNb W W. lllt uttbIullDlS,
after all. Fancy work?" she ques-
toned, as she picked up a scrap of the
pink satin, twirling it in her hands as
she talked. Provoking, isn't it, that
they should bring such goods out in
these lovely shades? Why, my cook
and second girl have actually gotten
dresses of the stuff, The vulgar creatures
imagine themselves fine ladies. II
seems utterly impossible for them to
understand how hideous these base
limitations are in the eyes of well-bred
people Mrs. Sanders seemed not to
have noticed Maggie's crimson face.
Il should like you to see Bailey's
decorations she said, as she arose to
go. by the way, what is to hinder
your coming over at about nine? |
shall be dressing, but | can instruct the
footman to admit you. You can look
at the rooms and have ample time to
get away before the guests arrive"
Maggie had a dim recollection of
thanking Mrs. Sanders and of showing
her out. Then she went back into the sit
ting-room and, laboriously gathering up
every scrap of the hateful pink satin,
thrust it into the closet and turned the
key. Putting on her hat and shawl.
She went out into the open air and
started down the road, walking in a
rapid, aimless fashion. The air was
sharp and cold, but the blood throbbed
holly in her veins.
a vehicle was coming rapidly down
the road. AS it came nearer she rec
ognized 1t as the Sanders coupe.
When it was nearly opposite her the
coachman drew up the reins, beckon-
ing to her. She wondered vaguely
what it meant, but before she had
reached the carriage she deserted Dick
lying white and limp in the arms of
Mr.. Schuyler Sanders.
Don't be alarmed, Mrs. Bloom" be-
gan Mr.. Sanders, reassuringly. at is
nothing serious. There was an acct
dent on the street car and Mr.. Bloom
was sc unfortunate as TO have had both
legs broken. Please get in, DR.. Barr
will be on directly"
Maggie instantly resolved to keep
her senses about her; and, indeed, she
succeeded SO well that even the great
DR.. Barr commended her.
Two days later, as Maggie and Dick
were alone together in the twilight,
Dick suddenly exclaimed:
What are we to have to eat to. NOR
row.. BloSsom?'
why, dinner, l suppose" Maggie
rejoined, laughing ~uneasilv as she re-
memberei that the unusual drain of
the past few days had left the family
purse almost empty.
But tomorrow will be Thanksgiv-
ing" Dick persisted.
'Why, Dick, | can kill one of the
chickens; they are really getting quite
large"
II say, Maggie" Dick broke in,
breaking a fellows legs doesn't spoil
his appetite. Last year we had turkey
and oysters and mince pie"
but Dick"
80. yes, | know the moneys short.
u = ioohihS " cNtTN inlU-
ute. ! told the doctor to notify him
this afternoon, BY the way, Maggie, |
did a sharp thing in breaking two legs
instead, of one. shall get out Just as
soon, and if | had broken but one |
should have gotten only fifteen dollars
and my weekly allowance, but as it is,
I'll get twenty-five dollars. Goodness!
Maggie, what is the matter?'
Poor Maggie! how could she ever tell
that dreadful story. When she had
finished, Dick looked very grave, but
he only said: ut was a mistake, Of
course; but I'm not going to let it make
me forget that my little wife has been
my good angel, and, as long as we have
each other, if we have but a crust, we
can keep Thanksgiving just the same.
NH. GNHNl0