Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-29

"Im afraid yOu spent too much 1or H..
For q time the elder woman sat 81
lently picking at the narrow edging
which had become crumpled In carry
ing. Her touch was almost reverent.
1t had been so many years since she
had owned whole new dress. Then
two great tears of joy splashed on the
insertion which crsscrossed the front
of the waist.
"Oh, Ellie, how did you know I'd
dreamed Of havin' dress like this ev-
cry summer for five years? But I'm
afraid you spent too much for 1t. That
lace cost dollar bolt If it cost cent.
Then there was the maltin'."
Two cool, firm hands drew away the
dress, and Etfie-tall, self contained Eff
fie-slipped into her mothers arms and
clasped both hands about her neck
Mother, dearest mother, you make
me feel so utterly selfish. you who
made me whatever l a1n, who gave the
best there was in you for me, to see
you make such Il fuss over little gift.
ought to have done SO much more. |
ought 10 have gone to work for you
years ago. And / ought not
Again that conscious look, that sud-
den catch in the voice, and she handed
her mother another bundle, from which
tumbled Il gown Of sheer white lawn
trimmed with delicate lace.
The very thing for you to wear to
the celebration tomorrow with your ia
therw exclaimed Mrs. Grimes, unmind-
full of her own disappointment
A quizzical smile played about Efiies
ips, and she stroked the white gown
lovingly.
do you think there is any celebra-
ton worthy of this dress? Besides, I'm
not going to Chadron. l hate speeches
and fireworks" And the two women
went downstairs arm in arm.
1t was not until bedtime that David
Grimes broached the subject Of the
celebration. His wife had been called
to the bedside of a sick neighbor, and
he sat alone with Efie on the porch.
You'd better take the o'clock train
for ChadrOn tomorrow. l want you to
be on hand for the exercises, but you
can't 20 over in the buggy. I've prom
ised Brooks a ride with me, and I'll
need him to pull strings with Smythe.
It's going to be great day with me,
Effie."
81 hope so, father" said the girl
smoothly, "but I don't care to go.
Mother will be lonely here, and shall
stay with her."
Then, as II the matter were closed,
she rose and walked deliberately In the
direction her mother had taken. For a
moment David Grimes sat as one stun
ned; then there rushed into his mind
the dozen or more effective answers
which he should have made to this
open rebellion. So much for letting
mes children leave home and achieve
independence! He would have Il set
Ting with this high handed young wo-
man, but not tonight. He must re-
serve his energy, his diplomacy, his
voice, for the morrow. There was much
at stake ON the morrow.
| A narrow trail Of white dust against
a cloudless blue sky was all that told
Of the departure Of David Grimes for
the scene of his anticipated triumphs.
Arrayed in broadcloth and linen, respec-
lively brushed and laundered by MAN.
dy's hands and carefully hidden by a
long linen duster, he had climbed into
the best buggy, which had been led to
the gate by the disconsolate Jimmy.
The latter, barred from both celebra'
ton and circus, felt his patriotism
oozlng rapidly from his grimy finger
tips. Effie laid caressing hand on bis
shoulder and said: