Daily camera., 1901-10-01

white one" 1t was Mrs. Ridley COM
ing up the walk.
Il will, Mis- Ridley. Come in and
set down. There's a PAIN leaf on the
lounge, an mcbbe you'n take glass
of cool water. It's n scorchin' morn
ing" said Miss Phemey.
II would like drink, thank you"
responded Mrs. Ridley. Seems like
when anybody's fat us am, they just
get hct up like a coal stove. My, that
tastes good. You got u grand well,
Miss Phemcy."
The hostess smiled flnttered smile,
but before she could speak Mrs. Ridley
went on: II brought over three of
Mr. Ridley's vests. Miss Phemey, to get
YOU to mend 'em. He's busted 'em
ever one right down the back. fr all
the world like seven-year locust,
tell i'm, ant seems like got no time
to fix 'em, with Emma May gittin
married next week. We're just livin
In q regular whirlwind, an sorry ms
I'll be to see Emma May go-not that
l don't like Charlie Foote, but you
know what mean--l cert 'ney shall be
glad when ull this fuss is over"
II expect it is trying" sympathized
Miss Phemey. "But Emma Mays al
ways been a good daughter. an she
deserves a fine weddin'."
" ""Tain't that don't want her to
have it," said Mrs. Ridley, hastily.
But I'm just dog-tired this mornin'-
for the land sakes. it's half-past ten
o'clock already; I got to go. You
bring them vests over when they're
done. Miss Phemey, an Ill pay you
f'r 'em. Id send one O. the boys over,
but Emma May wants you to come per
ticker an see her presents. SOIL be
KILN two birds with one stone." She
chuckled comfortably as she stepped
outside the door.
Miss Phemey looked after her de-
parting form with rcsentful stare.
"Yes," she muttered. "she can get Miss
Maxwell to make Emma Mays weddin'
clothes. but I'm good enough to mend
up Jim Ridley's old vests. I'll charge
her IS cents apiece, see I ] don't;
thalIl be IS cents. Does seem good
bit TO charge FIR mendin' three vests"
Emma May wants you to come per-
tickier 10 see her presents. Tain't
no hint; on, moi Sally Ridley needn't
's'troubled herself to shy that. l got
a present for Emma May. an I'm going
to give it TO her. Id like to get even
with them. the whole kid band of EN-.
Jest as il / couldn't 'a'maae Emma
Mays weddin' clos. They tell me
Miss Maxwell uses n chain-sti,ch ma
chine. always did say chain-stitch
machines was made for the careless,
an don't see no reason to change my
mind. Well, pom word. this vest amt
on'y busted, but frayed int the bar
gain" Miss Phemey fell briskly TO
sewing.
The next day, despite the threaten
ing rumble OF iistapt storm. Miss
Phemey dressed in her best and start
ed toward the Ridieys. carefully car
rying two packages. She was gra-
ciously received by Emma May, fat,
fair girl of pleasant mien and placid
disposition.
Il brought home them vests. ex-
planned Miss Phemey; ''and here.
Emma May. is q little present
brought for you. It'll he nice fr your
dining-room table, / thought She
held out small whise pasteboard
box, with an expression OF the heap
ing-coals-of-fre kind.
Ma called Emma May. come here;
Miss Phemey's brought me n butter
knife. Wisht you'd look! That GER
t'ney il beautiful"
It's solid silver" said the donor.
proudly. My niece down to New
York got it for me-" She received the
thanks. delivered tritie embarrassed
ly. Of mother and daughter, with po-
lite GOODNESS.
When the bride-elect invited her to
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 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"
Mr.. 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, a black satin, stiff with
jet. and tea gown" No girl in q
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 l might persoom to criticise,
really DO think it's a pity you got
your wedding dress made with
p'inted overskirt.. Az the latest
fashion books say they're not worn
1t all this season; and box plaits. too,
is kind of dropping out. l 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 ! ever cut into.
sn' all made up with these plated
rufIies. Why, Emma Nay. seems II
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 .
real treat to see such elegant clothes,
an l hope your married life'll 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
| hod v,lan<ad in Nrs Rid1ev,a paDa-