The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-15
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l-A soft eyes. t.iat cleaned
llIgI lalll like stars under her low,
smooth forehead. fixed in
tently on the Goals, and an unusual
flush on the rounded cheek that had
the bloom Of a ripe peach; for though
two years Il wife, Bessie was but nine
teen.
The fire glowed and cracked in the
CRATE. the kettle hummed, and the
most matronly Of cats purred a duet
as Bessie sat on low stool awaiting
her husbands return to dinner, her
thoughts running something like the
following: II wish | could have that
dress; Charley is downright Stlngy, so
Kate thlnks-only two dollars yard,
and really worth four such a bar
gain, and that lovely lavender color,
no becoming to mel Why does Char
ley say he can't affond it? Kate Bel
cher's husband gave her one without a
word. do wish she wouldn't aggra-
vate me so by showing me her nice
things. Just as II she didn't know that
/ might have had Tom Belcher ten
times over. and had nice. large house
and velvet carpets as well as she; and
my Charley-oh. no. all the velvet car
pets in the world couldn't make Tom
Belcher bearable! | don't believe he is
so much richer than Charley, and why
can't | have a dress. too! Will have
one.'
But at this point Bessie's musings
suddenly ended by the entrance OF her
husband, and she sprang up quickly
TO welcome him and receive the Gus
tomary embrace.
The little lady had taken unusual
pains with her dinner to-day; a pru-
dent woman she fed her lion first
and teased him ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
however. serious demeanor until
Charley arose from the table. when,
with both hands on his broad shoul-
ders. she said, coaxingly;
Charley. dear | do want that silk
at Marsh's.'
Dress. pussg'' said Charley, pulling
one OF the clustering ringlets. shading
her white brow. Il have already told
you that l cannot afford 1t. What an
obstinate thing you are. Don't you
know times are hard.'
"Then 1t VIII be a piece Of real econ
omy to purchase the silk" said Bessie,
determined upon carrying her point.
ut would wear. and look handsome
for dozen years to come. 1t is only
two dollars yard, and Kate says 1t Is
really worth four
"Ah.' asplrated Charley. 80 Mrs
Kate Belcher has been paying us
another visit, has shef"
yes" said Bessie, with a light
laugh. otherwise | should never have
known how cheap Marsh is selling his
goods. Tom gave her the money yes
terday to buy a silk dress pattern for
herself she added glancing up at
him from under her long lashes.
A shadow of pain filtered over
Charleys face. and he took turn or
two across the room before he spoke
again.
Granting all you can say, my dear,
do you think you can really afford to
wear the dresss'
Bessle's face wore a puzzled look,
but she said nothing.
"The fact Is, he continued. 'the pur-
chase Of the silk would necessitate
another run upon our little bank, in
order to make the other articles Of
your wardrobe correspond. In short,
little wife," he added, lightly, II fear
it would prove as expensive as did
Mrs. Lakes new carpet which, when
put down by that lady In her parlor,
turned the hitherto good enough sofa,
chairs and window curtains directly
out Of the room-eyen the wall pa
per-"
"Therel knew you would say
something horrid," said Bessie, with a
little deprecatory laugh.
''You know, Bessie, how gladly
would give you the money if could,
but my note at the bank must be paid
in a few weeks. But can linger no
longer" he added preparing to depart
Bessie rose, and held up her face to
be kissed, perversely turning it till
Charley's lips only touched the pink
tip Of her ear, instead OF the scarlet
lips that were smiling saucily up at
him.
Charley Grey was an intelligent
Young mechanic, who. at the age Of
three and twenty had saved from his
hard-won wages the sum of $1,000, the
money having been expended in the
purchase Of the pretty cottage where
the young couple now resided.
Some two hours later Bessie, in her
pretty afternoon attire. seated herself
upon her low rocker with her sewing,
her thoughts busy. as her needle flew
in and out, in laying plans for the fu-
ture. At length, somewhat wearied
with her monotonous labor Bessie
dropped her sewing upon her lap, lean