Graham guardian., 1919-08-08
RUTH'S DRESS
BY JOSEPHINE MURPHY.
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Ruth was making her wedding dress !;
dainty gown of tine sheer white or
gaudy and cObweb lace. just such u
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 great deal OF
extra economy, and lot of self-sacri-
ice ON the part of her father and
mother.
Ruth's heart beat with joy as she
henmed the little ruiles. Mrs. Mills,
passing by, stopped and touched the
dress gently.
Isn't it pretty?" she said, wistfully.
I'm real glad we made out to manage
it. Your father thought at first that
II was foolish to spend money on
white dress when you needed so many
other things. But insisted. | relDem-
bered when | was married | wanted
white dress, too, but they all said II
was such foOlishnesS that ! gave up
the idea and was married in my brown
silk. But as | have ever since wanted
one | was determined you should have
yours"
Dear me! There's Miss Helen COM
|, ing across the field!
Irene, who had entered few min
uteS before, ran and opened the door
for her, while Ruth hurriedly gathered
up her rufties. Mother, help me get
these out of sight. Miss Helen mustn't
see this dress. She's such an old gos-
sip,
Although the dress and ruffies were
safely tucked away before Helen came
in, her sharp eyes did not fail to no
tice piece of lace on the carpet ana
a white thread clinging to Ruth's skirt.
She had a 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 Ruth's confidence.
Neither Miss Helen nor anyone else In
Westwood was destined to see that
dress of Ruth's.
On the day that 1t was finished,
Ruth's heart beat fast with joy, as she
laid 1t carefully on the bed In her
room.
Irene, who was inclined to be alb
sent-minded, entered the room shortly
after to curl her hair. She lit the
lamp, gave little "pOuf" at the match
and tossed it carelessly away. In an
other minute Ruth's dress lay heap
of charred rags.
When Ruth came In and beheld the
remains of the gown she had made
with such pride and delight food Of
tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
She would now have to wear her dark
blue silk, and 1t wouldn't seem like q
wedding at all
After tea Mrs. Mills went over to
Miss Helen and poured out the dismal
story. This young lady listened intent
ly, and for once was not forward with
comment.
After Mrs. Mills had left to so up
town Miss Helen threw a shawl over
her shoulders and wended her way
across the meadow to the Mills home
stead.
She found Ruth curled up on the
sofa, her head buried in pillow. She
sat down beside her; putting her arms
around the little figure, she pressed 1t
closely to her heart. "I'ye heard all
about 1t, 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 Helen's house,
they went upstairs to the second floor,
ON which were four rooms. Pausing be-
fore the door Of one, she turned to
Ruth and said tremulouSly, "l've never
taken anyone in here before. This was
my room long ago, when | was young
girl. I've never used it since-since ]