Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-02-24
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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 a 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 a low stool awaiting
her husbands return to dinner, her
thoughts running something like the
following: 81 wish | could have that
dress; Charley is downright stingy. so
Kate thinks-only two dollars yard,
and really worth four such a bar
gain! ana that lovely lavender color,
so becoming to me! Why does Char
ley say he can't afford it? Kate Bel
cheers husband gave her one without a
word. l do wish she wouldn't aggra-
vate me so by showing me her nice
things, just as if she didn't know that
I might have had Tom Belcher ten
times over, and had a 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! 1 don't believe he is
so much richer than Charley, and why
can't / have a dress, too? l will have
oner'
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 leased him Acknowledgements
however, a serious demeanor until
Charley arose from the table, when,
with both hands on his broad Shout
ders, she said, coaxingly:
Charley, dear, l do want that silk
ut Marsh's."
"Dress, pussT' said Charley, pulling
one Of the clustering ringlets, shading
her white brow. 81 have already told
you that / cannot afford it. What an
obstinate thing you are! Don't you
know times are hard?"
"Then it will be a piece of real econ
pmy to purchase the silk" said Bessie,
determined upon carrying her point.
ut would wear, and look handsome
for a dozen years to come. It is only
two dollars yard, and Kate says it is
really worth four"
"Ahr aspirated Charley, $50 Mrs.
Kate Belcher has been paying US
another visit, has she?"
"Yes," said Bessie, with q light
laugh, otherwise I 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
Charley's 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 dressw
Bessies face wore o puzzled look,
but she said nothing.
'aThe 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, 81 fear
1t 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
put of the room-even the wall pa
per"
There! I knew you would say
something horrid," said Bessie, with a
little deprecatory laugh.
"You know, Bessie, how gladly
would give you the money if I could,
but my note at the bank must be paid
In few weeks. But I can linger no
longer" he added preparing to depart.
Bessie rose, and held up her face to
be kissed, peryersely 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 few
in and out, in laying plans for the flu
ture. At length, somewhat wearied
with her monotonous labor Bessie
dropped her sewing upon her lap, lean
ing back in her easy chair to enjoy a
little quiet rest.
The fire danced and quivered in the
shining coils of her hair, the rain pat
tered outside like the tread of little
feet, the cat rose and rubbed against
her mistress dress, but Bessie did not
heed her. There was the rustic of a
oAAANtA AOUCs diO oEcoic ctdLLCQ up W
find Kate Belcher standing in the open
doorway regarding her.
"Come, Bessie said Kate, ..get your
hat and jacket and We'll go down to
Marsh's and get your dress
Il have decided not to take the silk
said Bessie. s'Charley thinks he can
not afford it."
Cant afford itr' repeated Kate,
mockingly. You Go your own work,
Bessie Grey, thus saving the expense
of a servant, and it is a pity If you
can't have a dress when you want it
Take my advice and buy the dress
You'll never regret it-such Il bargain
too, if you would only consider it.
Il know it. Kate" said Bessie sadly
ssBut to tell you the truth, ia the draw.
er yonder are the savings of a year
$500 deposited there 81 and So at a
time, for the purpose OF paying up the
mortgage on the cottage
"GoodT' said Kate. aildiy. BE q