Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-12-05

Even the thought Of the darts she
had planted in Mrs. Ridley's capa
cious breast brought her no rea
comfort, when the vision of tn,
snowy wedding dress rose before her
Things amt edge even yet" she
murmured. A low growl of thunder
startled her, and she hastened into
the house to shut out the cutting
flare of the lightning. When th'
kettle boiled she set her lonely tabl,
and made ten. The quick thump oi
heavy rain drops on the roof made
her start nervously. Night haC
come with the storm, and after her
supper was over, Miss Phemey sat in
the dark and meditatcd. About ter
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 ~ she did so their last light went
out. Miss Phemey strained her eyes
TO no avail All was darkness there
I'm a-goin' to do it," she said
aloud, determinedly. Rumaging over
the table, she found pair Of scis-
sors. She took a match from the
box beside the window and unlocked
the door. The moon was creeping up
n fiat disk OF pale yellow. Miss
saw that she still wore her best
dress. "It1l be all drabbled," she
thought; then. recklessly: 81 don't
care. nohow."
She brushed against the dripping
flowers beside the garden path, and
held her breath as the gate gave II
whining cr-e-ak. Out on the road,
walking noiselessly. she went. Once
she heard team coming and
crouched In q corner Of tho worn
fence, behind little gum tree sprout
till 1t was past. She recognized the
doctors rig, and her heart came mp
in her throat and beat there with
great frightened leaps but he passed
by and safely she crept on.
At last, after n seemingly unending
journey, she reached the Ridlcy's
gate. The naples threw deep shad-
Ows, and. so, sheltered. she reached
the house. Round TO the left wing
slowly-slowly- and the window was
still openl She stopped and looked in
The moonlight lay In patches on the
floor, the dresses spread upon the
bed, and there, within reach, II fell
fun upon the wonderful pearl bead
ing OF the wedding dress and made
scintillating lights. Miss phcmey
saw all this, and slowly-slowly her
hand went out toward those glisten-
ing beads. A quick jerk, and the
waist OF Emmn May Ridley's wedding
dress lay hcross her knees. She
sought the seam in the middle Of the
back. She could feel the despised
chain stitching. and she slipped her
fingers deftly along toward the col
lar. What was this? A loose end of
thread--o little pull-r-i-i-i-i-ip-it
was done. In spasm of fear Miss
Phemey hustled the whist through
the window. back into place, and ran
into the ooncealing shadow. Out to
the gate, down the road agaln--she
was almost home. Suddenly she
stopped and gave little chuckle.
"Them bastin's'll hold II together
30 nobody'll s'spect-lucky she left
'em In. But when Emma May puts II
on, big nm fat as she Is, itn burst
square up the back like n frog" She
couldn't help laughing Mt the idea; II
tickled her fancy 30. She forgot her
wet feet, her draggled, muddy skirts,
and went to bed with smile still
pulling Mt the corners Of her mouth
The next morning the exposure
and fdverish, and there was sharp
pain that stabbed her at every
breath. "Threntcncd with pneu-
monia," the doctor said, and com
mnndcd her not TO stir from her bed,
though she could not have done so
had she wished. The ncighhors were
very kind, and attended her faithful
ly, and the tenth day found her sit
ting up. very weak and frail, but with
life In her eyes and voice.
Mrs. Emerson, the town gossip
came In and brought bundle.
Jest as soon MS you git able, Miss
Phemey, | want you to make me a
dress. It's one Mr.. Emerson got me |
over 20 Bristol. an he showed real |
good taste for man. must sny.
Look-a-there, alnt that fern leaf |
real pretty?"
"lt's just beautiful" nssented Miss
Phemey. "Sccms II you'd have Miss
make II up, bein' she's from
the city an ALL"
shell never cut into u piece Of
goods fr me, | en- toll you" said Mrs.
Emerson, with emphasis. "Aiu't no.
body told you how she made Emma
May Ridley's vcddin' dress and never
sewed up the back, an Emma MAY.
not suspicionin, put It ON an busted
Il clean wide opcn? o. course. YOU
was sick AN didn't git To the weddm';
but wns there, an the wcddm'
party WIS nigh an hour late lest ON
that account Nothin' but "a bastin'
thread to hold II together; such shir-
essnessl Course, hein' bad luck.
Emma May never tried on the dress
after IL come home, like she did the
'therA an en- tell you she was hop.
'in' People at the church didn't
snow what wps the matter Nom
heed, Miss Maxwell makes no clos rr
ne"
After her visitor WINS gone, Miss
'hemoy lay back on her pillows and
ookcd OUT OF tho window long
lime.
Twas an awful mean trick. |
now she said, at last. "'r,yasnt
light; hut got this spell % sickness
o pay mp fer Il, an that butter knife
'as solid silver aud real expensive.
m evcncd up all round an some.
owl jest can't caro-"