Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-01-30

Miss Phemey walked home slowly.
Even the thought of the darts she
had planted in Mrs. Ridley's capa-
cious breast brought her no real
comfort, when the vision OF the
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
fare OF the lightning. When the
kettle boiled she set her lonely table
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 hei
supper was over, Miss Phemey sat ir
the dark and meditated. About ter
o'clock the rain ceased, and she flung
the shutters open. The stars were
shining now. The air outside wai
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-goin' TO do IT," she sale
aloud, determinedly. Rumaging over
the table, she found a pair OF scis'
sors. She took match from the
box beside the window and unlocked
the door. The moon was creeping up
fiat disk Of pale yellow. Mist
Phemey looked down at herself anc
saw that she still wore her best
dress. "It1l be all drabbled," she
thought; then. recklessly: IL don't
care, nohow."
She brushed against the dripping
flowers beside the garden path, and
held her breath as the gate gave
whining cr-e-ak. Out on the road
walking noiselessly. she went. Once
she heard tenn coming nnc
crouched in n corner OF the worr
fence, behind little gum tree sprout
till It was past. She recognized the
doctors rig. and her heart came "
In her thront and beat there with
great frightened leaps; but he passed
by and safely she crept on.
At last, after seemingly unendinR
journey, she reached the Ridley's
gate. The naples threw deep shad'
ows, and, 40, 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
full upon the wonderful pearl bead
ing OF the wedding dress and made
scintillating lights. Miss Phemey
saw all this, and slowly-slowly-her
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 this2 A loose end OF
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 concealinR shadow. Out to
the gate, down the road agaln-she
was almost home. Suddenly she
stopped and gave n little chucklo.
"Them bastin's'll hold II together
so nobody'll sspect-lucky she left
'em In. But when Emma May puts II
on. big an fat as she Is, it'll burst
square up the back like frog" She
couldn't help laughing mt the idea; II
tickled her fancy so. She forgot her
wet feet, her draggled. muddy skirts,
and went TO bed with n smile still
pulling at the corners OF her mouth
The next morning the exposure
had done It's work. She was honrsc
and feverish, and there was sharp
pain that stabbed her at every
breath. Threatened with pneu-
monia," the doctor said, and com
manded her not TO stir from her bed
though she could not have done so
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 bundle.
"Jest a. soon as you git able, Miss
Phemey. l want you To make me q
dross. It's one Mr., Emerson got me
over to Bristol, an he showed rea'