Free press., 1908-02-15

moved away
Miss Margaret responded somewhat
absently to the salutations of the peo-
pie she passed as she drove home She
vas pOndering the mysterious ways of
the Providence which had given
dainty wedding finery TO her who was
never TO wear it, and had denied 1t
To the other Margaret
She is the one who should have
had those things Miss Margaret
thought, land yet" she asked herself.
what would 1 have done without
them, how borne the long, loaely
years?"
her wedding gown had seemen in
some indefnable way to keep in mind
the thought that she and John were
to meet again. She had left instruc-
tions that she was TO be dressed in 1t
| for her burial.
AS she touched It's shining folds
next day Miss Margaret's thoughts
kept recurring to the conversation
| she had overheard in the churchyard.
J 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 gratified, should De
made the happiest OF Gods creatures.
An hour later Miss Margaret dress
ed for the street. Her mind during this
interval had been the scene of quiet,
bitter combat. struggle between her
| unSelfisn desire 10 IC beautiful act
and a 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
| tragedy in the lonely wOman's life.
Pleased with the invitation TO spend
a day in the great house." although
a little surprised at it, Margaret Edge
comb chatted gayly as she drove by
Miss Marga- -et's side along the coun-
try roads iAd through tAe village.
Ever afterward that visit seemed
like dream 10 the girl 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 Margaret took her guest into her
own room. it seemed to the young girl
that she was entering a sanctuary,
and that 1t 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 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 i'll the churchyard, and after
wards in 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 l 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
to have them,' she said gently 1T
may be that to you they seem i'll
omened'
The bride-elect forgot her shyness,
and moving forward, took the older
womans hands in hers. 'lll-omened!"
she exclaimed. :'Consecrated, rather.
The wearing OF them will seem a
blessing on my marriage
A deep peace fell upon Miss Mar
garet's 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 l 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
6nery and the two packed it to be
sent to the home of it's new owner,
Miss Margaret's heart was full of
gratitude and tenderness toward the
woman who had accepted her gift as
gracefully and graciously as she had
proffered it.
AS she said goodbye the young Mar
garet kissed the older one. cit all
seems too good to be true" she muir
rnurod "Aud RI think 7 said tho dav Of
miracles was over"
Snubbed Completely.
Among the GnAStS at q wedding