The Coconino sun., 1901-08-03

ows, and. so, sheltered, she reached the house. Round to the left wing slowly-slowly-and the window wa. still open! She stopped and looked in The moonlight lay in patches on tho floor, the dresses spread upon the bed, and there, within reach, it fell full upon the wonderful pearl bead ing of the wedding dress and made scintillating lights. Miss Phemey saw all this, and slowly-slowly-heI hand went out toward those glisten' ing 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 despised chain stitching, and she slipped her fingers deftly along toward the col lar. What was this? A loose end oi thread-a little pull-r-i-i-i-i-ip-it was done. In spasm of fear Miss Phemey hustled the waist through the window, back into place. and ran into the concealing shadow. Out to the gate, down the road again-she was almost home. Suddenly she stopped and gave little chuckle.
 "Them bastin's'll hold it together SO nobody'll s'spect-lucky she left 'em in. But when Emma May puts it on, big an fat as she is, it'll bust square up the back like frog" She couldn't help laughing at the idea; ii tickled her fancy so. She forgot her wet feet, her draggled. muddy skirts and went to bed with a smile stir pulling at the corners of her mouth
 The next morning the exposure had done it's work. She was hoarse and feverish, and there was a sharT pain that stabbed her at every breath. "Threatened with pneu monia," the doctor said, and com. handed her not to stir from her bed though she could not have done sc had she wished. The neighbors 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 a bundle.
 "Jest as soon as you git able, Miss Phemey, I want you to make me a dress. It's one Mir. Emerson got me over to Bristol, an he showed real good taste for a man. must say. Look-a-there, ain't that fern leaf real pretty?"
 "It's just beautiful" assented Miss Phemey. Seems if you'd have Miss Maxwell make it up, bein' she's from the city an all"
 Shell never cut into a piece of goods fir me. I c'n tell you," said Mrs. Emerson, with emphasis. "Ain't mo- body told you how she made Emma May Ridley's weddin' dress and never sewed up the back, an Emma May. not suspicionin', put it on an busted it clean wide open? O. course, you was sick an didn't git to the weddin'; but was there, an the weddin' party was nigh an hour late jest on that account. Nothin' but a bastin' thread to hold it together; such sniff lessness! Course, bein' bad luck, Emma May never tried on the dress after it come home, like she did the others, an c'n tell you she was hop pin. People at the church didn't know what was the matter. No'n- deed, Miss Maxwell makes no clos fir me-"
 After her visitor was gone, Miss Phemey lay back on her pillows and looked out of the window 0 long time.
 "'Twas an awful mean trick, know," she said, at last. "'Twasn't right; but got this spell O sickness to pay up fer it, an that butter knife was solid silver and real expensive. I'm svened up all 'round-en' some- howl fest can't care"