Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-04-13

3 %%N&S ---~~~
she doesn't weigh five pounds more or
| less than you do. Why, she could mod
Ell dress over her own figure and give
you a perfect fit Then. Leila, she Is
brave, Woodworking girl VINO is hav-
ing an uphill time of it. We've got a
dandy chance to help her, and it will
be downright shame If we don't do
| it."
Leila Randolph put her arms about
! her handsome brothers neck. "All
right, old fellow she acquiesced,
.'there'll be no tailor from New York.
Miss Wilson shall make my wedding
gown
When she learned that she was to
fashion Miss Randolph's bridal robes
Mamie was the happiest girl In town.
She knew this stroke of fortune meant
for her other valuable orders. and she
concentrated her efforts to produce the
finest costume ever seen at a Chris
tiansburg marriage.
Two weeks later filmy glory of
silk and lace was evolving rapidly
from Hder the deft fingers The bride
to be was delighted. and her brother
was as happy as the prospective bride
groom.
He stopped frequently to inquire as
to the progress of the gown. Each
time he was met by smiling eyes that
held genuine gratitude in their dark
depths, for the little dressmaker could
not help suspecting that Harold had
been directly instrumental i'll her be-
ing given the piece de resistance of the
trousseau.
But all Mamie's bright hopes were
doomed to sudden blight. One morn
ing Christiansburg awoke to hear the
startling news that Leila Randolph
had eloped with pennless though
talented young mining engineer who
had been prospecting in the neighbor-
hood. The town was aghast, and con-
sternation stalked through the Ran
dolph household. Harold was the only
one who didn't look calamity stricken.
"Cheer up, all of your he said to
his frightened mother and sisters.
This fellow sis has chosen is all
right I'm glad, I can tell you, that
she had the good sense to favor him
over the other chap and the courage
to take him! Leila will bring him
back in a few days, and father will
deed them a house; you'll seei Dad
will roar for awhile, but in the end he
will give him a good job with good
salary attached, and everything will
work out o. *. Don't you see it
will?'
This optimism finally cleared the at
mosphere of some of its gloom. When
calm reigned once more Harold got
down TO business. He made out
check payable to Miss Mamie Wilson
for the ful amount that was to be
paid for his sisters wedding outfit. His
mother signed it without a word.
Then the young man made a bee
line for the dressmaker's. Mamie an
swered his ring and smiled as she in
vited him in, but there was a sus-
picious mist in her eyes.
"Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry It's hap
pened," she ventured sympathetically.
Don't let it worry you, Mamie" re-
piled Harold lightly. eth turn out all
right | came down to pay for the
dress; here's mammals check"
She took the slip Of paper, glanced
at it and then handed it back.
"a slight change is necessary, Har
old" she said Il couldn't take the
full amount, for the gown isn't finish
ed, you know"
Eyes, but you're going to finish it,"
he protested kindly.
Certainly, if you wish 1t" she an
swered. Then your sister will have
use for it in some other way, after
aIlf'
Leila have use for it?" he repeated.
| Certainly not. It's for another girl
nowr'
Another girlr she echoed, her eyes
sparkling. why, it wouldn't fit just
any girl, l fear
Yes, there Is one girl it will ft,'
said Harold slowly, for she's just lie
| las size. do hope she would like to
wear it for me. Do you think she
wouldf"
He was looking steadily into NAMES
eyes now, and his lips were compress
ed She returned his gaze, and as she
OWNED that he was in earnest her
heart beat joyously.
.'I'm afraid she would, very much"
she whispered weakly as she nestled
In his arms.