Middletown transcript., 1910-11-12
By SOPHIE GATES KERR

her TO an inspection of the pres
ents, Miss Phemey looked them
over and made few comments.
She turned the set of silver
spoons, presented by the groom's
parents, SO that the plate mark
was visible, and she tapped the
globe of a gaudy china lamp with
the remark that they we're just
two dollars and thirty-nine cents
down to Beedham's. When she
had looked at all, she said, cheer
fully;
Now l want to see your clothes,
Emma May.
Mrs. and Miss Ridley ex-
changed glances of annoyance,
but the latter led the way to the
spare room, where, on bed and
chair, lay the creations OF Miss
Maxwell, City Modiste.
There was the white silk wed.
ding dress, the tan travelling
gown. No girl in country town
marries without these last indis.
pensable garments; they are the
real backbone of the trousseau.
Miss Phemey looked at the dis
play, felt the quality of the
material, and examined the des'
pissed chain-stitching, without a
word. At last she said, pleas
antly conscious of paying old
scores:
If l might persoom to criticise,
l really do think it's pity you
got your wedding dress made
with a p'inted overskirt. ALI the
latest fashion books say they're
not worn at all this season; and
box. .pleats, too, is kind of drop.
pin out. I was readin only yes
terday that twas just the cheap
est goods was made up SO any
more. That black satin's real
pretty, though. Did you see Lena
Sullivan's s black satin? Hers was
a beauty-inest piece o satin
ever cut into, an all made uI
with these here pleated ruffies.
Why, Emma May, seems if you'd
be most afraid to leave all these
fine things in here with the win
der open, this room on the ground
floor like it is. It's been a real
treat to see such elegant clothes,
an / hope your married life II be
happy. The Foote's have all got
II
terrible unreasonable tempers,
they say; but I hope you'll be
able to manage Charlie. Good. bye
all.
Miss Phemey walked home
slowly. Even the thought Of the
darts she had planted in Mrs,
Ridley capacious breast brought
her no real comfort, when the
vision of the snowy wedding
dress rose before her.
Things ain'tedge even yet, sht
murmured. A low growl of thun
der startled her and she hasteneC
into the house to shut out tht
cutting fare of the lightning
When the kettle boiled she SCI
her lonely table and made tea
The quick thump of heavy rain
drops on the roof made her star
nervously. Night had come witt
the storm, and after her supper
was over, Miss Phemey sat in the
dark and meditated. About ter
o'clock the rain ceased, and she
flung the shutters open. The
stars were shining now. The all
outside was cool and damp and
fragrant. She looked over to.
ward the Ridley house, and as
she did so their last light went
out. Miss Phemey strained her
eyes to no avail. All was dark.
ness there.
I'm agoin' to do it, she said
aloud, determinedly. Rummag.
ing over the table, she found a
pair Of scissors. She took a
match from the box beside the
window and unlocked the door.
The moon was creeping up, a fat
disk of pale yellow. Miss Phemey
looked down at herself and saw
that she still wore her best dress.
It'll be all drabbled, she thought;
then recklessly, / don't care, no.
how.
She brushed against the drip.
ping flowers beside the garden
path, and held her breath as the
gate gave q whining cr-e.ak. Out
on the road, walking noiselessly,
she went. Once she heard a team
coming and crouched in a corner
Of the worn fence, behind a little
sweetgum sprouh till it was
past. She recognized the doctors
rig aud her heart came up in her
throat and beat there, with great
frightened leaps; but he passed
by safely and she crept on.