Graham guardian. [volume] (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923, 1911-10-27

IOunu the tnlng-nnolng 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 should not do It, Mrs.
| Lane had her own dull ambitions, She
loved her husbands daughter all the
| better now that he was dead. Marga-
| ret should go to the picnic-Jimmy
Traynor would be there. Jimmy was
sort of cousin, and highly desirable
In Mrs. Lanes eyes. II only he could
| see Margaret at her best. 1t might
mean a great deal II he did not see
her. 1t was unlikely he would come
looking for her at homeland that
| baggage Dora Carter would be sure
to make much Of him.
Joe hadn't no bobbinet, but he
sold me this veil dirt cheap-only so
| cents--and waits fer the money" Mrs
Lane said as she flung the veil In
Margaret's lap.
| Margaret gave little cry. She was
no more lace-wise than her elder, but
she knew beauty anywhere--the cob
web traceries. the delicate foriation.
as fine as frost-lace. filed her with
Joy.
You're real good to me. mother"
she said. looking up, dewy-eyed. But
It don't seem right to 60 In debt for
| anything we can do without II
don't seem right, either. to cut and
slash this" touching the lace tender
". Il wonder how Joe ever came to
buy It. never saw 1t in the show.
| case"
"You are the beat Of ALL" Mrs, Lane
said fretfully. Here been trompin'
bareheaded in the sun to get what you
want. and you amt satisfied"
I'm too satisfied; the veil 10 too
pretty" Margaret cried. getting up
and enveloping her throat In the nne
fabric.
When she started to the picnic
T, next morning she was almost happy.
Blue was certainly her color; this
blue matched her eyes, She would
not look down at the taggy rufied
skirtrather she held up her head
so the lace at her throat might show
It's full beauty. She had put In lace
sleeves. too--the veil was long and
ample. And still there remained Q
lot of 1t. enough for covering her
frowsy pink hat as soon as she mad
time to do 1t. And just at the gate
she ran upon Jimmy Traynor. coming
to escort her to the picnic grounds.
He gave satisfied whistle at sight
of her and said:
Peggy, i shall have the swagger.
est girl of anybody. You look good
enough to eat. but don't you be
afraid"
Il sha'n't be-" Margaret laughed.
Her holiday mood ran unchecked
| until dinner time. Jimmy stuck By
her. and. such is the force OF exam.
pie. three other young fellows who
otherwise would heve no more than
nodded to her, had made great pre-
tense OF hanging around the pair.
Miss Aida Venn came to the picnic
In anything but holiday mood. She
| had Been angry over coming to the
| Gores-they were rich and childless.
therefore to be concilated. But they
need not have dragged her out among
their villagers!
/ II she had not been in such tenn.
per she might not have gone to en-
tremities At sight OF Margaret--in.
nocently fine and vain. in her ros0
point -she gave a little gasp and
clutched Mrs. Cores arm. crying:
/ II knew It was stolen-my veili
but you insisted there wasn't thief In
all your precious village"
Aida. hush!" Mrs. Gore said in an
imperative whisper But Miss venn
had darted from her. caught Margaret
| by both shoulders and was shaking
her hard as she cried:
"How dared you ruin IT. My veili
| You know you stole it.
Excuse me. ma'am--but you know
that's no such thing" Jimmy Raynor
interrupted. breaking her clutch on
Margaret as he spoke.
] Margaret was white as death. She
put her hand to her throat, as though
asking something of the lace. Intu-
4 itively she sensed her stepmother's
piteous subterfuge. II did not steal
your lace--and ! am sorry to have
cut IT, she said TREMENDOUSLY. We
I-found It. You can have 1t all
| back
Found 1t! A 'kely story" Miss
Venn began.
Raynor stepped before Margaret
III you've got any men-foIks. I'd
like to talk with Them" he said
Miss venn shook her head.
| Listen, I'll pay for your veil! What
did It cost"
"Only $300--just cheap thing.
you know" Miss venn flung at him.
malevolently.
Margaret shuddered. but Jimmy
smiled
'Ill send you check In the morn
ing--Judge Gore will tell you It's
good he said. He turned to Marga.
ret And you. Peggy. can maybe fix
the thing so TIN do for a wedding
veil"
!, +haIsnh+