The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-06

AIIdyeu III DfoauCIOtn ana linen, re-
spectively brushed and Numbered by
Mandy's hands and carefully hidden by
long linen buster, he had climbed
into the best buggy. which had been
led to the gate by the disconsolate
Jimmy The latter, barred from both
celebration and circus, felt his patriot
ism oozing rapidly from his grimy fin
ger tips. Fife laid a caressing hand on
his shoulder and said:
We'll. Jimmy I guess it is just about
time for our celebration to begin.
Something hard and shiny slid into his
hand Jimmy gasped. Never before had
he owned q whole dollar. For the cir
Gus part of it. dearie, and the rest
for cannon firecrackers. Be sure you
get an extra large one and shoot 1t for
me. You know I'm afraid to touch it
off myself
And with a smile the girl drew her
mothers arm through her own and
started back toward the house. Mrs.
Grimes protested feebly against the ex-
travagance, but Etfle laid a loving
hand over her mothers lips.
II must-I must do something or go
perfectly wild. I am so happy"
But there was a suggestion of tears
in her voice and her hands this morn
ing were not cool and firm, but hot
and trembling. Mandy turned anxious
eyes on her first born.
"Effie you amt acted natural since
you come home. What's on your
mind?"
You, just know" came the quick
response. II don't like to be selfish.
but am so glad you did not go with
father to the celebration, for-for, you
see, mother dear. L am going to be
married to-day, and it would be hard
rot to have you at the ceremony"
They had reached the house by this
time, and Mrs. Grimes dropped weakly
into the nearest chair Fife knelt be-
side her.
You mustn't blame me too much for
not telling you before. but l was afraid
father would find out He would never
give his consent to my marrying Ed.
There is nothing but political ill-feeling
on his part, for Ed Jameson hasn't an
other enemy in the world, only father
is afraid of him, afraid of Eds power
in politics. We love each other, and
want home, real home, not an abd-
ing place. Q, | don't mean to hurt you,
but you must understand that father
ruined my girlhood, just as he has
ruined your life. | don't want to teach;
l am not suited for the work. And
house all summer long, and / am too
| proud to meet the man I love like a
thief in the night SO we are going
over to the Methodist minister's this
morning and be quietly married And
there is where all my money went.
have all my clothes and my linen"
During Efie's long, and at times,
hating speech, Mrs Grimes had offer
ed no interruption. She sat as in a
dream, perhaps a dream of the day
long years before when she too, had
been a bride. But at the words,
CLOTHES and linen,' she started as one
stung to the realization ofNan unpleas-
ant fact
And you've done this all alone.
Your father and mother amt had any
hand in gettin your outfit; amt done
thing for you" A world of hurt pride
of motherly dispair rang in the words,
and she turned pleadingly to her
daughter. Don't you reckon if you
waited day and things went right at
Chadron for your father, he'd feel bet
ter natured and we could have we'd
din? | don't want a daughter of mine
married without any weddin'"
I'VE don't want to take any chances.
mother. and l promised Ed to be ready
when he comes, so bring your bonnet
and I'll fasten on some fresh roses.
You must look your prettiest for my
wedding day"
Silently Mandy left the room, but
when she returned few moments
later she carried. instead of the bonnet
which had been ''freshened" annually
for five years, an old-fashioned steel
bead purse. The expression of her face,
even her hearing, had undergone a
subtle change. She stood erect, and the
lines had disappeared from ner face,
now Illuminated by sudden resolve
that seemed to restore her lost youth
"Effie, We've just got to have a we'd
din. 1t shan't he said that daughter
OF mine was married away from her
nome, an without weddin' dinner.
We've got the whole day before us. It's
only little past {, an I've got a little
money of my own that I've been saw
IN for something just like this" In
her excitement she had forgotten that
the nickels and dimes had been laid
| aside TO buy new underwear for her
laying out custom prevalent in her
FAMILY for many genera tons. and
which. for her, lacked any element of
gruesomeness. ''We'n have some of the
girls you went to school with. There's
Mary IJarter-she said she
wouldn't go to the celebra-
ton because she hates cannon
an noise-an' Lucy Burns didn't get
her new dress finished. You set them
two to help US fix up the house with
mowers. Mandy fairly quivered with
happiness and new-found powers
While Etfie stood dumfounded in the
presence of this sudden assertion of
maternal rights. I've got chickens
a-plenty, and there's time to beat up
a couple of cakes. Thank goodness we
didn't eat up all of that best apple jel-
~. Now you run for the girls while l
set Jimmy catchin' the chickens. If
Ed comes while you're gone III send
him right over to engage the preach
er"
And Mandy Grimes, reiuvenated,
nay, born anew. hurried, with soft
tune on her lips, toward the barn
where Jimmy was rushing through his
chores as only a small boy with sill
YER dollar burning a hole in his pocket,
can hurry.
In the dull blaze of the midsummer
sunset. David Grimes drove slowly to-
ward Jepson Center. The seat beside
him was vacant. and the dust fell un-
noticed on his black suit and withered
linen. His buster at this moment hung
on peg in Chadron's principal livery
stable. The superintendent of the
North farm had remained over for the
fireworks and ball The pvrotechnics
in the bosom of David Grimes were
sufficient 20 satisfy that gentleman
fully, and he had been clad To escape
from the gaping, applauding crowds at