The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-07-25

came 70 the tenement where she lived
on the third floor.
He looked al her anxiouaiy. You're
not cut up about not being bridesmaid,
are your he asked.
She shook her head. ''No," she an
swefed hraveiys f4lt
"well you're pretty nice. Bubbles"
he said heartily. and then he went on
his way. fsstHtt
When Bubbles reached home she
took out her boarded store OF money.
With what she would add on her next
pay day she would have SO. and she
could buy the hat with the white
feather.
She fingered the money for mo
ment, and then she dropped her head
on her arm with sob, for Bubbles
had wanted that hat 90 wear TO church
on Sunday morning when she sang In
the choir with Jimmie Bryan. 1t had
been for Jimmie's admiration that she
had craved the pretty hat And, after
all. It was. Alice that Jimmie cared
for.
Two days later Alice came 10 her
counter breathlessly
"Oh. Bubbles," she said. ''such a
wonderful thing has happenedw
"Whatr" asked Bubbles innocenuy.
And then Alice told her OF the Won
(ierful gown and the dainty accessories
that had come the night before In a
big box.
II can't imagine who sent them"
1T must have been a fairy god
mother" said Bubbles demurely.
"And now ! can be Miles brides
maid" caroled Alice when she had
exhausted all her contectures as TO the
gfver. "You won't mind. win you,
BubbiesY'
"No." said Bubbles steadily.
And as she sold needles and pins and
hooks and eyes and wnalebenes and
hundred and one other things that day
she told herself that she did not care.
why should she want 10 walk beside
Jimmie Bryan when he preferred to
have Alicef
She passed the window with the hat
with the white feather that night with
out glance, and ON Sunday she wore
a plain little black sailor with n cheap
red rose. and she looked prettier than
ever In IT.
-Alice thinks you're a fairy god
mother" she told Jimmie after serv-
ice.
"say, did she like ity' he demanded
"Of course she did" said Bubbles.
"Who wouldntY'
But Jimmie did not answer imme-
diately. He stood looking down at her.
Say, little girl" be said presently,
ayod look mighty nice In that hat"
1T cost Just sl.0s," Bubbles inform
ed bin giibly. marked down from 81. "
II don't care what Il cost" Jimmie
stated. "You look mighty NICE"
Bubbles couldn't resist saying. "But
not halr as nice as Alice will In that
pink robe"
bubbles. | believe you're jealous"
flashed Jimmie Unexpectedly.
Bubbles CHECKS famed why, Jim
mic Bryant" she faltered. zaxkls~
"Look here" Jimmie demanded, did
you think was In love with Aiicer
Under his keen scrutiny Bubbles was
forced to admit II couldn't very well
help II, could IT
II was afraid you would" Jimmie
said. that day when I planned 10 ge,
her the things, but l had promised
oh, look here, Bubbles, you come out
to the park with me. and I'll tell you
about It."
And all the way 10 the park Bub.
bles' heart sang. and she seemed ID
walk on afr. and she was glad that
she hadn't bought the hat with the
white feather She was glad she
hadn't been extravagnt. for Jimmie
seemed 10 like her just as well In the
black sailor with the red rose.
In the park the beds were full Of
jonquils and tulips and hyacinths and
crocuses, and under the towering aim.
ond tree Jimmie and Bubbles sat down
TO talk.
''You see" Jimmie explained. there's
Bob Travers. and he's I'm the navy
and he's away on a three years cruise
and he made me promise that I'd look
after AlIce-they've been In love with
each other since they were kids-and
when Alice's father got sick tried IN
help. but they wouldn't let me- and II
seemed as II getting her the dress
would be what Bob would want me 70
do. and now he's going TO get home in
time for the wedding. and told Mile
she'd have 70 have him for best man"
-Ohi' cried Bubbles, aglow with
happiness.
-And then told her how much l
thought OF you. and she wants us 20 be
in the wedding party. and Oh. well,
look here, Bubbles" And IN the shad-
ow OF the Towering almond he held
out his arms.
And Bubbles. having wept little
weep. OF Joy ON his broad shoulder, sat
up and wiped her eyes Amt glad I
didn't spend all my money for that
feather. Jimmier' abe said. I'll get
the white net skirt and wear the rose