Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-07-17

III l might perSoom to criticise.
really do think it's pity you got your
wedding dress made with a pinted
oVerskirt. All the latest fashion books
say they're not worn at all this sea-
son; and box-pleats, too, is kind of
droppln' out l was readin' only yes
terday 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 Il beauty-fnest piece of
satin | ever cut into, an all made up
with these here pleated ruffles Why,
Emma May, seems il you'd be more
afraid to leave all these fine things in
mere 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 | hope your married lifo'll be hap
py. The Foote's have all got terrible
unreasonable tempers, they say; but
| hope you'll be able to manage Char
lie. Goodbye, ALL
Miss Phemey walked home slowly.
Even the thought of the darts she had
| planted in Mrs. Ridley's capacious
breast brought her no real comfort,
when the vision of the snowy wedding
dress rose before her.
Things amt edge even yet," she
mummuIed. A low growl of thunder
startled her and she FASTENED 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 Phem-
| ey sat in the dark and meditated.
| About 10 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,
and as she did so their last light went
out. Miss Phemey strained her eyes
to no avail. All was darkness there.
I'm a-going to do it," she said aloud,
determinedly. Rummaging over the
table, she found pair of scissors. She
took a match from the box beside the
window and unlocked the door, The
moon was creeping up, fiat disk of
pale yellow. Miss Phemey looked down
at herself and saw that she still wore
her best dress. It'll be all drabbled,"
she thought; then recklessly, II don't
care, nohow."
She brushed against the dripping
tiowers beside the garden path, and
held her breath as the gate gave 4
whining cr-e-ak. Ou. on the road,
W1ilsInO nnicplpGe1y cha
she heard a team coming and crouched
in colner OF the worn fence, behind
Httia sDoIt-gNIa EElcUk, til it Ngg
Dl&t> She IecaEA!,ed ths 1oesc!.
rig aaa hsn Asast caaia up IL AeP
throat and beat there, with great
frightened leaps; but he passed BY
safely and she crept on.
At last, after a seemingly unending
journey, she reached the Ridleys' gate.
The naples threw deep shadows, and,
SO sheltered, she reached the house.
Round to the left -slowly-slow-
ly-and the window was still open!
She stopped and looked in. The moon
light lay in patches on the floor the
dresses spread upon the bed, and there,
within reach, it fell upon the wonder.
ful pearl beading of the wedding dress
and made scntillating lights. Miss
Phemey saw all this and slowly-slowly
her hand went out toward the glis-
tening beads. A quick jerk, and the
waist of Emma May Ridley's wedding
dress lay across her knees. She sought
the seam in the middle of the back.
She could feel the dispised chain
stitching and she slipped her fingers
deftly along toward the collar. What
was this? A lose end Of thread-a little
pull-r-i-i-i-ip it was done! In q
spasm of fear Miss Phemey hustled the
waist through the window, back into
place, and ran into the concealins
shadow. Out to the gate, down the
road again-she was almost home.
Suddenly she stopped and gave little
chuclle.
Them bastins II hold it together
so nobody IL spect--lucky she left
'om in. But when Emma May puts
it on, big an fat as she is, It'll bust
square up the back like a frog" She
couldn't help laughing at the idea; it
tickled her fancy so. She forgot her
Wet ltct HeI uEdSSleu, uluuly ShlIJ9,
and went to bed with Il smile still
pulling at the corners of her mouth.
The next morning the exposure had
done its work. She was hoarse and
feyerish, and there was a sharp pain
that stabbed her at every breath.
''Threatened with pneumonia" the
doctor laid and commanded her not
to stir from her bed, though she could
not have done so had she so wished.
The neighbors We're very kind and at
tended her faithfully. and the tenth
day found her sitting up, very weak
and frail, but with life in her eyes and
voice.
Mrs. Emerson, the town gossip, came
in and brought bundle.
jest rs soon as you git able, Miss
Phemey, l want you to make me a
dress. It's one Mr.. Emerson got me
over to Bristol, an he showed real