The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-02-13

u pray just lne SAME IL / were
you" maintained the older sister
stoutly. Il always do, and I've had the
things that seemed just as unattain-
able come to me in the most unex-
pected way"
We'll, | won't" declared the bride
elect Il cant help wanting those
things, but | can help praying for
what | know | ought not to have.
Come. we must go. I'm glad we live
near the cemetery, aren't youe It's
such a nice place to come to think
things over. Or to talk them over"
the speaker concluded as she tucked
her arm in her sisters and the two
moved away.
Miss Margaret responded somewhat
absently to the salutations of the peo-
pie she passed as she drove home. She
was bordering the mysterious ways Of
the Providence which had given
dainty wedding finery to her who was
never to wear it, and had denied it
to the other Margaret
''She is the one who should have
iibu tioSt luiuSS, NhlSo Oil odicI
thought. and yet" she asked herself,
what would | have done without
them, how borne the long, lonely
years.
Her wedding gown had seemed in
some indefinable way to keep in mind
the thought that she and John were
to meet again. She had left instruc-
tons that she was to be dressed in it
for her burial.
AS she touched its shining folds
next day Miss Margarets thoughts
kept recurring to the conversation
she had overheard in the churchyard,
1t fretted her to think that the other
Margaret must do without the things
she longed for. A bride ought to have
her every wish gratitied, should De
made the happiest of Gods creatures.
An hour later Miss Margaret dress
ed for tha street. Her mind during this
interval had been the scene of a quiet,
bitter combat, a struggle between her
unselfish desire to do beautiful act
and feeling that she could not bear
to have other hands touch the treas
ures she had kept so long. The part
ing with her wedding clothes was a
tragedy in the lonely woman's life.
Pleased with the invitation to spend
a day in the great house" although
little surprised at it, Margaret Edge
comb chatted gayly as she drove by
Miss Aargaret's side along the coun.
try roads and through the village.
Ever a{terward that visit seemed
like a dream to the gill. The dim twi-
light of the stately rooms, the quaint
silver and china the highbred charm
Of her hostess, all contributed to an
atmosphere she felt. but could not
have described.
When, after luncheon was over,
Miss Marsaret took her guest into her
own room, ii seemed to the young girl
that she was entering sanctuary,
and that it was another person than
herself who watched her hostess un-
lock a cedar chest that stood against
the wall and from many layers of
white paper take out long tulle veil,
white gloves and slippers and a dress
of satin, to which age had given the
tint of ivory.
Dazed and bewildered, the one Mar
garet listened while the other Mar
garet told the story of the twilight
hour in the churchyard. and after
wards in a maze of wonder tried to
realize that the things were to be
hers If they would fit. Both pairs of
hands trembled as the old maid helped
the young one to don the bridal array.
Strange enough, the things fitted.
And yet, not strange either; what
miracle was ever incomplete?
The robing finished, the girl stood,
shy and blushing before the pier mir.
ror, scarcely daring to lift her eyes to
the vision In the glass.
you look very lovely, and am glad
You are to have these things" Miss
Margaret said softly.
The girl did not speak, and ter
rible fear seized Miss Margarets
heart. Were her bitter struggle and
cheerful sacrifice to go for naught?
Perhaps after all you may not care
W nave lneIl, SIle Sdlu StDiIy, IL
may be that to you they seem i'll
Omened"
The bride-eleCt forgot her shynesS
and moving forward, took the older
womaH's hands in hers. "Ill-omened!
she exclaimed. "Consecrated. rather.
The wearing Of them will seem a
blessing on my marriage"
A deep peace fell upon Miss Mar
garets spirit as she returned the pres
sure Of the youthful fingers.
"Of course the dress is old style"
she remarked TREMENDOUSLY, but the
pattern is large, so alterations can
easily be made, and with new bows
on the slippers
The other Margaret looked at her
with something that was almost an
ger in her eyes.
"Alterations," she exclaimed do
you think ! would have a thing chang
ed, a ribbon altered? Why it would
seem like profaning something sa-
cred"
AS she helped the girl take off the
finery and the two packed it to be
sent to the home OF It's new owner,
Miss MaTgarets heart was fun Of
gratitude and tenderness toward the
no h,,I TOD h.r off q