The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-06-19
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RUTH'S DRESS
BY JOSEPHINE MURPHY.
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| BduNg anu tODNCD ldNNs JuHt 9uNh a
dress as she had dreamed Of having
ever since the day Alan White had put
little ring with three blue tur-
quoises on her slender brown finger
The dress stood for a great dead of
extra economy, ana a lot of scll-sacri-
flee on the part Of her father and
mother
Ruth's heart beat with joy as she
hemmed the little RIFLES. Mrs. Mills,
passing by, stopped and touched the
dress gently.
Isn't it pretty?" she said, WistluIly.
I'm real glad we made out to manage
il. Your father thought ut first that
It was foolish to spend money on a
white dress when You needed SO many
other things Rut insisted. | remem-
bered when / was married | wanted a
white dress, too, but they all said it
was such foOlishncSS that l gave UP
the idea and was married in my brown
silk. But as l have ever since wanted
one / was determined you should have
yours"
Dear mel There's Miss Helen com
ing across the field n'
Irene, who had entered a few min
utes before, ram and opened The door
for her, while Ruth hurriedly adhered
up her rufles. Mother, help me gct
these OUT of sight. Miss Helen mustn't
see this dress. She's such an old sos-
sip"
Although the dress and rulas were
safely tucked away before Helen came
in, her sharp eyes did not fail to no.
tice a piece of lace on The carpet aud
a white thread cliugiug TO IiuHs skirt
She had feeling something unusual
was taking place, but said nothing
about it, although she prolonged her
visit, and talked until Ruth almost
lost her patience.
So Helen went home without having
been taken into Ruths confidence.
Neither Miss Helen nor anyone else IN
WestwoUd was destined to See that
dress Of Ruth's.
On the day that it was finished,
Ruth's heart beat fast with j0N as she
laid it carefully on the bed in her
room.
Irene, who was inclined TO be abb
sent-minded, entered the room shortly
after to curl her hair. SHE lit the
lamp gave a little "pout' al ,Ae match
and tossed it carelessly away In an'
other minute I,uths dress Iay heap
Of charred rags.
When Ruth came in and hpheld The
remains OF the gown She MI made
with such pride and delight food of
tears strcamed down her pale checks.
She would now have to wear her dark
blue silk, and it wouldn't seem like a
wedding at ALL
After tea Mrs. Mills went over to
Miss Helen and poured our Dho dismal
story. This young lady listened intent
~, and Tor once was not forward with
comment.
After Mrs. Mills had left to 90 up
town Miss Helen threw shawl over
her shoulders and wcuded her way
across the meadow to the Mills home
stead.
She found Ruth curlcd up on the
sofa, her head buried in pillow. She
sat down beside her; putting her arms
around the little figure, she pressed it
closely to her heart. rive heard all
about It, dear" she whispered, and
I'm so sorry. Don't cry any more.
Come over to my house, I've something
to show you Ruth wiped away her
tears, and soon they were both trip
ping across the fields.
Having reached Miss Uclen's house,
they went upstairs to the second floor,
on which were four rooms. puusjng be-
fore the door Of one, sie turned to
Ruth and said trcmulousiy, I've never
taken anyone in here before. This was
my room long ago, when / was young
sirl. I've never used it siuce-siuce ]
put glrlhood behind me forever"
Opening the door, She went to
chintz-coyered chest near the window,
and opened 1t. A sweet, faint spiciupss
Iloated up into the room as she lifted
out a dress of white embroidered mus
lin, ivory tinted, from its long seclus
ion.
This, Ruth, was to have been my
wedding Dress" said Helen softly.
Long ago | was engaged to young
sea captain. When he left TO 90 on his
last voyage | promised to marry him
when he returned, but his ship was
lost, with all on board during a ter
rifle storm. My youth and happiness
died then. Now, Ruth, want you TO
take it to be married in."
"Oh dear Miss Helen {" cried Ruth
tendcrlN Il couldn't; Why II would
SEEM"
wait dear" interrupted Helen, 81
don't want you TO think am making
any sacrifice in giving you this dress
I've always wanted to see il worn by
a bride; that is what it was made
for"
"Thank you" said Ruth "Oh, dear
Miss Helen, thank your
No bride could have looked swcctor
and foirer than Ruth on her wedding
day, and Miss Helen wcpt tears of
joy.
Copyright. 1918. Mcclure Newspaper
SyndlcateJ
Green Thing.
A young married couple IN Martins