Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-01-09
CHAPTER XV.-~(Continued.) J

had never in her lite attended tioW ner
eyes sparkled from mere anticipation as
she looked appealingly to her grandfath-
or. who, though CHASING parties with the
pomps and vanities from which he would
shield his child, still remembered that he
once was young. that fifty years ago he,
TOO, like Maddy. wanted Ito see the folly
OF it," and not take the mere word OF old
or people that in every festive scene there
was pitfall, strewn over so thickly with
roses that 1t was ofttimes hard to tell
just where its boundary line commenced.
Resides that, grandpa had faith in Guy,
aud so his consent was granted, and
Maddy was soon on her way to Alkenslde,
which presented a gayer, buster appear
Hnce than she had ever known before.
Jessie was wild with delight. dragging
forth at once the pink dress which she
was to wear and whispering to Maddy
that Guy had bought a dark blue SILK
for her, and that Sarah Jones was at
that moment fashioniug it after dress
left there by Maddy the previous summer
Mother said plain white muslin was
more appropriate for young girl, but
Brother Guy said no; the blue silk would
be useful after the party it was what
you needed, and so he bought it and paid
dollar and three-quarters yard, but
it's secret until you are called to try
it on. Isn't Guy splendidT'
He was indeed splendid, Maddy
thought, wondering why he was so kind
to her. and If it would be so when Lucy
came. The dress fitted admirably. When
Maddy was dressing for the party, there
was sent up to her room small round
bor, scarcely large enough to hold an ap-
ole, much less a small scarf The present
proved to be a pair of plain, but heavy
bracelets, and a most exquisitey wrought
chain of gold, to which was appended
beautiful pearl cross, the whole accom-
paaied with the words. From Guy.
Jessie was in ecstasies Clasplng the
ornaments on Maddy's neck and arms, she
danced around her. declaring there never
was anything more beautiful or anybody
as pretty as Maddy was in her rich party
dress Maddy was fond of Jewelry-as
what young girl is not?-and felt hush
of gratified pride, or vanity, or satlsfac-
ton, whichever one chooses to call 1t.
as she glanced at herself in the mirror
and remembered the time when, riding
with the doctor, she had met Mrs. Agnes,
with golden bracelets flashing on her
arms, and wished she might one day wear
something like them. The day had come
sooner than she then anticipated, but
Maddy was not as happy in possession OF
the coveted ornaments as she had thought
she should be- Somehow, it seemed to
her that Guy ought not to have given
them to her, that it was improper for her
to keep them, and that both Mrs. Moan
and Agnes thought so, too. She wished
she knew exactly what was right, ana
then. remembering that Guy had said the
doctor was expected early. she decided to
ask his opinion on the subject and abide
by it.
! At first Agnes had cared but little
about the party, affecting to despise the
peopIe in their immediate neighborhood;
but when Guy gave her permission to in
yite from the adjoining towns, and even
from Worcester if she liked her spirits
rose; and when her toilet was completed,
she shone resplendent in lace and dia-
monds and curs, managing to retain
through all a certain simplicity of dress
appropriate to the hostess. But beautiful
as Agnes was, she felt in her jealous
heart that there was about Maddy Clyde
en- attraction she did not possess. Guy
saw it, too, and while complimenting his
pretty mother-in-law, kept his eyes fixed
admiringly on Maddy. who started him
into certain unpleasant remembrances by
asking if the doctor had come yet.
"No-yes-there he was now," and
Guy looked into the hall, where the doc
tors voice was heard inquiring for him.
II want to see him minute, alone,
pIease. There's something | want to ask
him" And, unmindful of Agnes dark
ening frown or Guys look of wonder,
Naddy darted from the room, and ran
hastily down the hall to where the doc
tor stood, waiting for Guy, not for her,
He had not expected to meet her thus,
or to see her thus, and the sight of her.
grown so tall, so womanly, so stylish, and
.o beautiful, almost took his breath away.
And yet, as he stood with her soft hand
in his. and surveyed her from head to
foot. he felt that he would rather have
her as she was when dainty frill shaded
her pale, wasted face, when the snowy
ruf1e was fastened high about her throat
pnd the cotton bands were buttOned about
ber wrists, where gold ones now were
shining The doctor had never forgotten
Maddv as she was then, the very embodi
nent. he thought, of helpless purity. The
little sick girl, so dear to him then, was
growing away from him now; and these
sdorpings which marked the budding wo
man seemed to remove her from him ant
Mace her nearer to Guy, whose bride
shouId wear jewels, just as Maddy did
She was very glad to see him, she said
.skinp in the same breath why he had mo-
haen to the cottage, if she had not growr
ell and IL he thought her improved will
living in city.
"Oue question at time. If you please,
ba sajd, drawing her a little more Int
the shadow of the hall, where they woulC
he less observed by anyone passing
through.
Maddy did not wait for him to an
aver. 80 eager was she to unburden be
mind and know IL she ought to keep tn
costly presents, at which she knew b
was looking.
"If he remembers his unpaid bill, b
must consider me mighty mean" sh
Thought; and then, with her usual frank
ness. she told him of the perplexity an
asked his opinion.
''It would displease Mr.. Guy very mucl
~ were to give them back" she said
f. 30