El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-03-13
CHAPTER XVIII.

~ n one thing Jane Hardy was de-
termined. The man to whom
she was engaged should not pay
for the dress in which she was to be
married.
Her only argument on this point was
with Reeves himself. He asked her
one day what she expected to be mar
ried in.
My cloth suit that I got this fall"
she answered briefly.
The white gown and filmy veil for
which a bride usually longs were not
for her, she told herself Not only
could she not afford them. but they
were inappropriate to a loveiess mar
rage. A marriage without love was
not typified by pure white robes and
shimmering lace. Such garments were
for girls with hopes and dreams OF
bright futures.
. She, Jane Hardy, was making
union of convenience in which the
only love in her heart was her affec-
ton for her parents-especially for her
mother. 1t was for her sake that she
was sacrificing herself
"I should think you'd want new
wedding dress" Reeves said. IF you
haven't the money for one, I'll pay for
it"
Jane flushed holly. you will mott"
she exclaimed with more vehemence
than he had ever seen her display.
when we are-I mean-later-I VIII
have to let you do such things But
until then I will not allow it,!
"Then what are you going TO 20
about getting new thingsF he asked:
of I might wait until the school
year is ended I could get some" the
girl explained, a look of hope stealing
into her eyes, then dying as she saw
the shake of his head. ~ on told me,
she hurried on, that you did not eX-
meet me to get a trOusseau. And
don't need any. I have everything that
I will want this winter and next sum
rner I can wear last summers clothes.
for I made several new dresses for
myself last spring.
reeves Il don't want any new things
The salary I viii have by Christmas
viii he Of some help to father and
mother. They need it,
Not as much as they once did,
Hie listener asked for no explana-
ton There were several matters she
nreferred not to inquire about IN her
talks with him.
Yet when she was alone win her
no+her the desire to know the truth
came ilfot N she asked. "did Augustus
let father have any money at the time
of our engagement
Mrs. Hardy glanced away from her
dourbter's searching gaze.
@XVeT yes. dearie, he did she ac-
1,rov-Iedged. q don't mean she has
tened TO explain, that ne gave MN
anv money. Of course pa Wouldn [ let
him do that Just yet But AUGUSTUS
I II,arr It to pa, and pa gave him his
move .sSvban will It fall due?"
L. c-ir1's busine like manner en-
1o assed the mother. WYNN ABOUT
six months from the time ne DorrIWeu
IT, I think. Th ao IL Won't it9'
al .srL-aa months after my marriage,
-, sajd sharply. DO you suppose
fbat father feels that by that time ne
Iii Iii have a right 20 ask Augustus to
extend the note 2 =, Ut uoes ne hO'
10 nav II at alp
"KV6v. Janier' Mrs. Hardy exclaimed,
L - a--eg Growing moist. How can you
sneoI 80 of your fatherE VI course ne
oInects to pay It back-even though ne
don't know yet Where,, tne nloIIe toi1 bir,
ing from. But It will come, l ten MN.
IA ~ he don't have it by the time It's
due-vhv I guess Augustus VIII give
him more time, or
az. a0b +" The girl interrupted passion
ateiy, will consider It as q par arr OF 'ne
~ Tben seeing a frightened expression
20 her mothers face, she laughed
bVystericaiIy. Don't look Ike that,
notberr' she protested, putting her
! I,,,s about the elderly woman and
hiding III lin her face on the thin shoulder.
IT can't bear it, Don't you see I was
inst in fun, dear?' she gasped- Cant
Won see that 7 am laughing, and that
I am lust in fun?"
Ct didn't know"-NIrs. Hardy quav-
cred smiling through her tears. You
do fool me sometimes, jamie. And 1
thought at first that you were really
angry about something.
'I have just been telling Augustus.
she said after a while, that I will not
LET him nav for any clothes for me
am his wife. I shall
be married in my little cloth suit,
mother"