The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-10-14

Ao4C0 ACA HULL III o41S Gd0
found the thing-fnding meant keep
ing. But Margaret woald 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-Jfmmy
Traynor 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 If he did not see
her. it was unlikely he would come
looking for her at home-and 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 cob
web traceries. the delicate foriation.
as fine as frost-Iace. filed her with
joy.
You're real good to me. mother, -
she said, looking up, dewy-eyed- But
it don't seem right to go in debt for
anything We can do without. 1t
don't seem right. either. to cut and
slash this" touching the Lace tender
ly. 81 wonder how Joe ever came to
buy It l never saw it in the show
! case
b. Of 3TI5
said fretfully. Here l been trompin'
bareheaded in the sun to get what you
want. and you amt satisfied"
I'm too satisfied; the veil is too
pretty" Margaret cried, getting up
and enveloping her throat in the fine
fabric
When she started to the picnic
, next morning she was almost happy.
Blue was certainly her color; this
| blue matched her eyes. She would
not look down at the taggy rufhed
skirt-rather she held up her head
so the lace at her throat might show
its full beauty. She had put in lace
sleeves, too-the veil was long and
ample. And still there remained a
lot of 1t, enough for covering her
| frowsy pink hat as soon as she mad
time to do it. And just at the gate
she ran upon Jimmy TraynOr, coming
to escort her to the picnic grounds.
He gave a satisfied whistle at sight
of her and said:
Peggy, | 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
otherwise would have no more than
nodded to her. had made a 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 concflated- But they
need not have dragged her out among
their villagers!
If she had not been in such tenn
per she might not have gone to ex-
trcnsities- At sight Of Margaret
nocently fine and vain, in her rose
point-she gave a little gasp and
clutched Mrs. Cores arm. crying:
81 knew it was stolen-my veil!
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 veil!
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-
itiveIy she sensed her stepmother's
piteous subterfuge. 81 did not steal
your Iace-and I am sorry to have
cut it, she said TREMENDOUSLY. We
found it You can have it all
back"
Found it! likely story" Miss
Venn began
Raynor stepped before Margeret-
eff you've got any men-folks. I'd
! like to talk with them,' he said
Miss Venn shook her head.
Listen, I'll pay for your veil! What
did 1t cost?'
"Only s3O0-just cheap thing.
you know" Miss Venn flung at him,
malevolently.
Margaret shuddered. but Jimmy
| smiled.
I'll send you a 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 it'll do for a wedding
veil"