Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-03-04

she cud lay hands on. Well Mis- Muf
cahy, she see that grand trewsow and
she said she never saw tn beat.
Dresses. Well, her going-away suit
alone comes to eighty dollars, for it's
bein' made by Molkowsky. the little
Polish tailor An her weddln' dress is
satin, do yuh mind Oh, it was
real treat for my aunt, Mis- Null
cahy."
Birdie walked over to where Minnie
Wenzel sat, very white and still, and
pointed a stubby, red finger in her
face. "'Tis the grand manager We are,
Miss WenzeI, gettin' satins an tailor
mades on yer salary. It takes
woman. Minnie Wenzel. to see through
a woman's thricks."
"Well, III be dingedl" exploded 10
Haley.
"Yuh'd better bel" retorted Birdie
Callahan.
Minnie WenzeI stood up, her lip
caught between her teeth.
Gam to understand. 10 Haley, that
you dare to accuse me of taking your
filthy money, instead of that miser-
able ex-con there who has done timer"
| "Thatll do. Minnie said 10 Haley
gently That's a-plenty."
prove it. went on Minnie. and then
/ looked as though she wished she
| hadn't
"A business college edjication is a
grand, foine thing observed Birdie.
/ Wy. Il to- To
They teach you everything from
! DRAWN birds with tail feathers to
plain and fancy penmanship. In fact,
they teach everything in the writin'
line except forgery, an | amt SO
sure they haven't coorse in that
Il don't care" whimpered Minnie
/ Wenzel suddenly, sinking in a limp
heap on the floor Il had to do it. Pm
marrying a swell fellow and girls
got to have some clothes that don't
look like a Bird Center dressmaker's
work He's got three sisters. l saw
their pictures and they're coming to
the wedding. They're the kind that
wear low-necked dresses in the eve
ming, and have their hair and nails
done down town. / haven't got thing
but my looks. Could / go to New
York dressed like a rube? On the
square, 10, | worked here six years
| and never took a sou. But things got
away from me. The tailor wouldn't
finish my suit unless l paid him fifty
dollars down. only took fifty at
first, intending to pay it back. Honest
to goodness. 10, did"
Cut it out" said 10 Haley, "and get
up. l was going to give you check
for your wedding, though l hadn't
counted ON no three hundred. Wen
call it square. And / hope you'll be
happy,lbut don't gamble on it. You'll
| be goin' through your mans pockets
before you're married a year. You
| can take your hat and fade. I'd like
to know how I'm ever going to square
this thing with Ted and Birdie
AN me standin' here gassin' while
them fool girls in the dinin'-room
can't set table decent, and dinner
in less than ten minutes. cried Birdie,
rushing off. Ted mumbIed something
unintelligible and was after her.
Birdie! l want to talk to you.''
Say it quick, them said Birdie.
over her shoulder. The doors open in
three minutes"
Il can't tell you how grateful am.
This is no place to talk to you win
you let me walk home with you to-
night after your works done?"
"Will II" said Birdie, turning to face
him. Il will not TIL swell mob has
shook you, an good thing it is You
was travelin' with a bunch of racers,
when you was only built for medium
speed. Now you're got your chance to
a fresh start and don't you ever think
I'm going to be the one to let you
spoil it by beginnin' to walk out with
a dinin room Lizzie like me-
Don't say that, Birdie" Ted put in.
/ Its the TRUTH" affirmed Birdie.
Not that / amt perfectly respect
able girrul, and We know it. I'm a
good slob, but folks would be tickled
for the chance to say that you had
nobody to go with but the likes ay
me. If l was to let you walk home
with me tonight, yuh might be askin'
to call next week. Inside half year,
If yuh was lonesome enough, yuh'd ask
me to marry yuh. And b'gorra," she
said softly, looking down at her un-
lovely, red hands. I'm dead scared
I'd do 1t. Get back to work, Ted Ter
rill, and hold yer head UP high, and
when yuh say your prayers tonight,
thank your lucky stars amt a hussy."
i