Gilpin observer., 1916-04-27
MYRA AND MATRIM0NY
BY NEIL LANoshAWE.


To her astonishment, she was told
that she had drawn the lucky number
for the automobile at the fair. and
the slip was . blue command to q
certain bank to pay her a thousand
dollars in cash should she desire the
money instead of the car.
Kitty, Kitty-oh. Kitty" she cried
excitedly. When she remembered
that Kitty was away visiting Bob's
mother. Kitty was going to marry
Bob, when he could afford 1t.
That was what Charlie had said to
her long ago. At first, she didn't mind
this long absence and unsatisfac-
tory letters. that spoke only vaguely
of their prospective wedding.
She had laid the check and letter on
the kitchen table.
In the hall was an old-fashioned
mirror. In passing. she caught a
glimpse Of herself. She went back,
stopped and faced the glass squarely.
Now, Myra Lovelace," she said to
1t, "let us see what you look like since
you have inherited a fortune" She
stood a minute with compressed lips.
appraising herself. Then she lifted
her hands to her temples where the
golden hair was fading and thinning,
pulled down loop on each side and
fastened them with pins. Then she
rubbed her cheeks hard. She was 60
ing to match the cherries" as Charlie
used to say, If 1t took the skin of.
She was surprised at the result.
She looked farther. Her eyes were
all right. Excitement had frightened
them. Why. she was still pretty, very
pretty-and rich! Surely IL Charlie
could see her now he wouldn't stay in
the West-or at least he would make
some definite suggestion about their
wedding day.
Her eyes went down. The glass. not
very large, reflected only part of her
blue calico dress, made plain and
narrow across the chest and Just now
stuck full of pins. She took out the
pins and tried to pull some looseness
into the front. 1t was no use.
One thousand dollars! With thou
sand dollars she could buy dresses,
soft, exquisite, lacy and fine, such
as she had seen on the daughters of
Congressman Hodge when they came
home in the summer. And lovely
shoes that were all curves, and silk
stockings to match. And hats large
and small she pictured in the steam
Of the teakettle. Big gauzy ones, with
single rose, right underneath next
the hair. and tiny black velvet ones
with band of Jet. Black velvet she
knew would look we'll on her. And
the ,cloaks. Such wonders she had
seen in Mrs. Purdum's fashion book!
A thousand dollars! She would like
a wrist watch and a gold mesh bag
and something for around the neck.
She knew 1t was still smooth and
white beneath the calico. And there
would be clinging silken underthings,
delicate shaded and wonderful feel
ing. And gloves and wells.
She rose. Charles last letter, months
old. was in the paper wallet in the
sitting room. She got 1t and looked
at the address. She thought of an
uncle in the same town! Then she
made up her mind to do something!
1t was long past dinnertime, but
she sat down to write a letter! That
done, she hunted up a schedule Of city
trains, made out list, pressed out
her white waist and got everything
ready for day Of shopping in town.
II Charlie had forgotten how attrac-
tive she was, she would remind him!
Then she drank some tea, lay
down and started to redream all the
visions Of her girlhood.
But she heard wheels, then Kitty's
voice: "Auntie! Auntie Myra, where
are your"
Here. dear. I wasn't expecting you
80 soon. Why. what's the matter?"
Kitty was sobbing softly.
"Bob's here! He came over to say
good-by to you. He is going West Oh,
auntie. IA man they know wants him
to start right away. There is-a good
chance open and he must not even
wait q day. And he's going tonight!
II he had the money to put into the
store here. they'd take him into part
nership and he would stay and we
would be married. But there's no
chance. he says. and he's going. Ill
neverDnever see him again."
Myra patted the heaving shoulders
and smoothed the soft head on her
breast.
"Dearie. don't cry! Listen to me!
I-I-Ive had some luck, Kitty. The
fair people sent me a thousand dollars.
had the winning number. And
was Just wondering what / should do
with 1t. Do you think could persuade
Bob to take It as wedding present!
can't think Of anything better. can
your"
Aunt Myra-why-you-" Kitty's
eyes were big. Then she rushed for
the door. "Bob-oh, Bob. what do you
think"
The rest was lost, for Myra had
slipped to the kitchen and drOpDed