The Cairo bulletin., 1908-03-31
GETTING READY

Jtulils AWAY SPOKE 81 casually
about the collection toward her house
keeping outfit that every one accept
ed 1t as matter OF course.
It was when she was only 16 that
Jennies mother. finishing hemming
the last OF dozen new napkins, re-
marked: There Those are ready
to go into the chest. Questioning
brought to light the further infor-
nation that the chest was to be filled
with things for Jennie.
''Of course she'll get married some
day. said her mother, "and it's lots
handler TO be making things along
instead of rushing at the last min
ute. I'm doing table linen now"
BY the time Mrs. MARKHAM had
finished the set of kitchen towels
and had begun on china every one
took 1t without comment. When
Jennie was s the chest was full and
a big dry goods box was called into
requisition to hold things Not that
Mrs, Markham was anxious for her
daughter to marry and leave her. On
the contrary. she often dropped a
tear on a completed dolly or bureau
scarf as she laid 1t with the rest Of
the collection. Adding things TO
Jennies store grew to be habit
Christmas gifts of an attractive nat
ure were ruthIessly sacrificed to the
box.
"That'll be nice when you have a
house of your own" was the requiem
Jennie heard sung over numberless
things snatehed from her before she
had chance to use them at the mo-
ment
All her friends knew about her
collection and by the time Jennie had
left school the older women had be-
gun to say it was lucky that Mrs.
Markham had been so far-sighted,
for in case anything did come OF
Ross Whipple's devotion to Jennie
ali her trosseau except mere clothes
would be prepared.
Ross Whipple certainly had a bad
case of young love, He haunted Jen-
ME. All the other girls and boys OF
their age spoke of them as engaged.
Thcn Ross went away to college
and in six months his affair with
Jennie was broken off He had fall
en- in love with a college-town girl.
Jennie bore up we'll. Perhaps the
fact that young Lauderback was call
ing frequently assisted her to a salts
factory state of mind, Young Laud-
erback had high brow and Jennie
began TO read thick books. Also she
took to signing her name Jane"
She said 1t was more dignifed
Young Lauderback certainly had
serious intentions for he brought his
mother and sister to call on Jennie
and her mother and Jennie frequently
was asked to the Lauderback home
for Sunday night tea Again peo-
pie rohoarsed the contents of the |
chest and the dry-soods box and de- |
cided on what extra things Jennie
could buy with the money which
otherwise she would have had to
spend for brides usual linen and
household outfit
Her mother became Interested and
old her she must think seriously of
getting married
Nobody ever quite knew what caus-
d the trouble between Jennie and |
'oung Lauderback. She carried her
lead high for time, while he look
ID depressed and blue. Before he |
'ecovered she was enjoying immense
y the visit of young doctor who |
lad graduated in the same medical |
lass with her brother. He was good |
cooking and so was she He had |
rot been at the Markham home for
| week before every one was talking
bout how desperately In love with
zach other they were.
Jennie was invited to VISIT the
.oung Doctors family later and she
vent. She had glorious time and
anne home TO find her mother fever
fhly hemming large tablecloth. Il
bought you needed another three
ard one" she explained.
After Jennie had broken her en-
,agement to the young doctor be- |
.ause she was tired of writing letters |
o him she went In for social settle !
nent work for year or so. She |
anne near marrying a professor on
or other who had classes
Town there. but she changed her
mind.
The years sped on. Admirers were
lot so plentiful. but Mrs. Markham
occasionally added a dolly to the
tore The boxes were so full that
here was no room for more linen.
he friends of the family began to
mile pityingly about Jennie's i'm
lense stock OF household goods.
ennie was nearing 80.
Then of a sudden Jennie married
theatrical man Now she travels
nth him everywhere, so she has not
be remotest need OF the contents of
he chest and dry-goods box in the
tito at home. She lives at hotels
be year round
But Mrs. Markham hopefully turns
veT the pieces of linen and rubs up
he china from time to time. She
cts a great deal Of comfort ont of |