The Coconino sun., 1901-08-03

an inspection of the presents, Miss
 Phemey looked them over and made
 few comments. She turned the set of
 silver spoons, 'presented by the
 groom's parents" so that the plate.
 mark was visible, and she tapped the
 globe of a gaudy china lamp with the
 remark that they were just two dol
 lars and thirty-nine cents down to
 Beedham's. When she had looked at
 all, she said, cheerfully:
 "Now I want to see your clothes, Emma May"
 MT. and Mrs. Ridley exchanged glances of annoyance, but the latter led the way to the spare room, where, on bed and chair, lay the creations of Miss Maxwell, "City Modiste"
 There was the white silk wedding dress, the tan travelling dress, some odd waists, black satin, stiff with jet. and "tea gown" No girl in a country town marries without these last indispensable garments; they are the real backbone of the trous- seau.
 Miss Phemey looked at the display, felt the quality of the material, and examined the despised chain-stitch- ing, without a word. At last she said, pleasantly conscious of paying old scores:
 "If I might persoom to criticise, really do think it's pity you got your wedding dress made with a p'inted overskirt. AA the latest fashion books say they're not worn at all this season; and box plaits, too, is kind of dropping out. I was read in only yesterday that twas just the cheapest goods was made up so any more. That black satin's real pretty, though. Did you see Lena Sullivan's black satin? Hers was beauty finest piece O satin l ever cut into, an all made up with these plaited ruffles. Why, Emma May, seems if you'd be most afraid to leave all these fine things in here with the winder open, this room on the ground floor, like it is. It's been a real treat to see such elegant clothes, an I hope your married life'l be happy. The Foote's have all got ter rible unreasonable tempers, they say; but hope you'll be able to man. age Charlie. Good-by, all."
 Miss Phemey walked home slowly. Even the thought of the darts she had planted in Mrs. Ridley's capa- cious breast brought her no real when the vision of the snowy wedding dress rose before her.
 Things ain't edge even yet" she A low growI of thunder her, and she hastened into the house to shut out the cutting flare of the lightning. When the kettle boiled she set her lonely table and made tea. The quick thump of heavy rain drops on the roof made her start nervously. Night had come with the storm, and after her supper was over, Miss Phemey sat in the dark and meditated. About ten o'clock the rain ceased, and she flung the shutters open. The stars were shining now. The air outside was cool and damp and fragrant. She looked over toward the Ridley house, md as she did so their last light went put. Miss Phemey strained her eyes to no avail. All was darkness there.
 "Tm a-goin' to do it," she said lloud. determinedly. Rumaging over he table, she found a pair of scis. 'ors. She took a match from the ,ox beside the window and unlocked | he door. The moon was creeping up. ! fiat disk of pale yellow. Miss ohemey looked down at herself and Jaw that she still wore her best lress. "It'll be all drabbled," she thought; then, recklessly: "I don't are. nohow."
 She brushed against the driDpino |