The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-08
TIE EVENING STORY
Naargaret,s wedding Ven.
(By Martha McCulloch-Wiliia

! On, 0eart w ny must one De SO POOE
If only had any way to do 1t, work
my fingers off to get something bet
ter
She was looking at her new frock
in the mirror she had set on the floor.
The skirt sagged outrageously, most
where it should have hung level. Be
| ing OF sleazy stuff, and illcut, there was
no help for the sagging. Margaret
hated sleazy Stuff-the simplest hrm
cotton would have pleased her much
better than this bargain counter aeo-
lian. Mrs. Lane, her stepmother, was
of different mind. Her idea of ele-
gance was bounded north, south, east
and west by frippery and trimmings
Now, 1 call that real tastyl' she
said, thrusting her head inside the
stripes-and you can't deny it becomes
you. What if it does hang pretty long
behind-you've got as much right to
wear trail-frocks as anybody"
"Quite as much" Margaret assented.
The worst of it was-she could not
speak truth. Mrs. Lane was so hon
eStly pleased with their joint handi-
work, had put so much heart and
kindness into the choice and making
of the dress, it would be brutal to tell
her how she hated 1t. Sti1l-there are
limits to endurance. Margaret reached
them when Mrs. Lane suggested put
ting a tucker of blue-sprigged muslin
inside the square-cut neck.
binet,'' she said.
Mrs. Lane flung up her hands. you
know how the hens are slack1n' up in
their layin','' she said. I'VE won't
have three dozen eggs for joe Davis
this week. And the sugars low, and
tea, next to nothin and If you don't
fix the neck of your new frock, you
can't wear it to the picnic"
"I don't care about going-not
much" Margaret said, still dully-but
~. r4..kf 1<,V-- r7f1fA
Mrs. Lane caught it, though Mar
garet meant she should not But she
said nothing, only turned and walked
out on the back porch. There she
drew a long breath, her mind running
thus;
'.I'Il go without tea-surely I can do
it one week-and let the child have |
what she wants. Joe Davis'H maybe |
advance me half a dollar-he knows 1 |
never forget to pay. Marg shall have |
the net-since she's so set on it.
Patience knows the lawns heap |
prettier-but girls are all alike-just
plumb crazy to be in the fashion-and
all the others have net-necks.
Still revolving her plan, she scuttled
away bareheaded and came presently
to Joe Davis'E general store. "Surei
You can have what you want-half
dollar? Don't you name no such
thing! Help yourself. I know good
customer when I see her." Joe said |
genially, when with some gatherings
she had made known her wishes.
Disappointme waited on them. |
There was not a bit of net, or anything |
it, in stock. Joe was gen.
uinely sympathetic; if only he had |
known sooner! Must it be had right |
off? Mrs Lane nodded. He was
mighty sorry-maybe his wife might |
have omething-there Mrs. Lanes
head shook so energetically as to si-
1ence him.
Silent herself, she returned home
ward. Half way there a gusty, Whit
fety wind blew something soft and
light directly in her face. 1t was
creamy white, and wonderfully flower
ed and sprigged all over-a lace veil,
real rose point, though she did not
know it. The tricky wind had snatch
ed it out of a window up at the Gore !,
house. It was the great house of the
village, and that day held visitor to
whom rose point was a commonplace.
Mrs Lane looked at the veil hun
grily. snuffed the delicate scent it ex-
hailed, her mouth trembling a little.
Then the mouth grew frm-she had
found the thing-finding meant keep
ing. But Margaret would not think so
she would be all for hunting up the
owner never thinking of her own
need She would not 10 it. Mrs. Lane
had her own ambitions. She loved her
husbands daughter all the better now
that he was dead. Margaret should go
to the picnic-Jimmy Tr1ynor would
be there. Jimmy was a sort of cousin,
and highly desirable in Mrs. Lanes
eyes, If only he could see Margaret
at her best, It might mean a great deal.
II he did not see her, It was unlikely
he would come looking for her at !
nome-and that baggage Dora Carter
would be sure to make much of him.
"Joe hadn't no bobbinet, but he sold
ne this veil dirt cheap-only SO cents
and waits fer the money" Mrs. Lane
said as she flung the veil in Margarets
ap.
Margaret gave little cry. She was
no more Iace-wise than her elder, but I
she knew beauty anywhere-the cob
web traceries, the delicate f1oriation, l
as fine as frost-lace, filled her with
10y. ). '
she said looking up, dewy-eyed- But
t don't seem right to go in debt Tor
we can do without 1t
1on't seem right either to cut and (
slash this touching the lace tenderly.
4 never saw it in the showcase" G
"You are the beat of ALL Mrs. Lane
"A id rerreffl1IIy Here I been tromp- q
n bareheaded in the sun to get what
rou want, and you amt satisfied" r
I'm too satisfied; the vel IS too 1
pretty Margaret cried, getting up and
snveIoping her throat in the fine fab
-ic. =
Unouestionably it became her, as
lnqu estionably, II anything would re-
leern the blue aeolian it was this fin
work, vet in the midst Of her ardors
bore a conscience Such cutting as o
vas Inevitable she managed so as to a
cave intact the most beautiful Of the h
lowers
morning she was almost happy Blue il
vas certainly her color; this blue $