Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1901-07-15


white one" Ii was Mrs. Ridley com
ing up the walk.
Il will, Mis- Ridley. Come in and
set down. There's pam leaf on the
lounge. an mebbe youll take glass
of cool water. It's n scorchin' morn
ing" said Miss Phemey.
Il would like a drink, thank you,
responded Mrs. Ridley. Seems like
when anybody's fat az am, they just
get het up like a coal stove. My, that
tastes good. You got grand well,
Miss Phemey."
The hostess smiled . battered smile.
but before she could speak Mrs. Ridley
went on: II brought over three OF
Mr. Ridley's vests, Miss Phemey, te get
you to mend 'em. He's busted 'em
ever one right down the back. FIR all
abe world like seven-year locust,
tell i'm, ant seems like l got no time
to fix 'em, with Emma May gittin'
married next week. We're just Twin
in a regular whirlwind, an sorry as
I'll be TO see Emma May go-not that
/ don't like Charlie Foote, but. you
know what meant cert'ney shall be
glad when all this fuss is over"
II expect it ia trying" sympathized
Miss Phemey. But Emma Mays al
ways been good daughter, an she
deserves "A fine weddin.
faint that l 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; 1 got to go. You
bring them vests over when they're
done, Miss Phemey, sR' I'll pay you
FIR 'em. Ia 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 resentful 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 f l don't;
| thatll be AS cents. Does seem good
bit TO charge FIR mendin' three vests"
Emma May wants you to come per
ticker to see her presents! 'Taint
no hint; oh, mol Sally Ridley needn't
'a'troubled herself to say that. got
present for Emma May, an I'm going
to give il TO her. I'd like TO get even
| with them, the whole kid band of 'em.
Jest as If / couldn't 'a'made Emma
Mays weddin' clos! They tell me
| Miss Maxwell uses a chain-stitch 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 distant storm, Miss
! Phemey dressed in her best and start
ed toward the RidleyE, carefully car
rying two packages. She was gra-
ciously received by Emma May, a fat,
fair girl of pleasant mien and placid
disposition.
81 brought home them vests" eK-
planned Miss Phemey; land here,
Emma May, is u little present
brought for you. It'll be nice FIR your
| dining-room table, / thought" She
held out small white pasteboard
box, with an expression of the heap
! ing-coals-of-fire kind.
MA" called Emma May, "come here;
Miss Phemey's brought me a butter
knife! Wisht you'd look! That GER
t'ney is beautiful"
Its solid silver" said the donor
proudly. my niece down to New
York got il for me-" She received the
thanks, delivered trifie embarrassed
", 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 oi
silver spoons, presented by the
groom's parents" so that the plate
mark was visible, and she tapped the
globe of n gaudy china lamp with the
remark that they were just two dol
lars and thirty-niRs cents down tC
Beedham's. When she had looked al
all, she said, cheerfully:
"Now 1 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 o.
Miss Maxwell, "City Modesto"
There was the white silk wedding
dress, the tan travelling dress, some
odd waists, black satin, stiff will
jet, and a "tea gown" No girl in {
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, anC
examined the despised chain-stitch
ing, without word. At last sh,
said, pleasantly conscious of paying
old scores:
) IF l might persoom to criticise,
, really do think it's a pity you &c
, your wedding dress made with
p'inted overskirt. All the lates
fashion books say they're not worl
I at all this season; and box plaits, too
, is kind of dropping out. l was read
I in only yesterday that twas just tn
! cheapest goods was made up so an.
more. That black satin's real pretty
though. Did you see Lena Sullivan