The Falls City tribune., 1908-02-28


absently to the salutations OF the peo-
pie she passed as she drove home. She
was 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, "and yet" she asked herself,
what would | have done without
them, how borne the long, lohely
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-
tions that she was to be dressed in 1t
for her burial
AS she touched its shining folds
next day Miss Margaret's thoughts
kept recurring to the conversation
she had overheard in the churchyard.
It 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 be
made the happiest of Gods creatures.
J An hour later Miss Margaret dress
| ed for the street. Her mind during this
interval had been the scene of a quiet,
bitter combat, 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 80 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 Margarets side along the coun-
try roads and through the village.
Ever afterward that visit seemed
like dream to 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 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 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 a ter
rible fear seized Miss Margaret's
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
woman's hands in hers. "Ill-omened."
she exclaimed. "Consecrated, rather.
The wearing of them will seem
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 tremulously, 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 thing chang
ed, 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 its 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 1T all
seems too good to be true" she muir
INJURED. And to think l said the day of
miracles was over"
Snubbed Completely.
Among the guests at a wedding
breakfast in the country was one