The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-13

No, Hilda had not taken flier in
copper, oil or motors. She had sim.
ply bought dress.
Clothes being 4. necessity, the pur.
chase OF dress when one is needed is
an investment. But Hilda was fairly
well supplied with wearing apparel
that was pretty enough, but suited
only to everyday wear.
The reason the dress in question did
not look like a good investment was
that she wanted 1t for one special oc.
caston, and 1t cost $3.50 OF the $50
she had in the bank.
1t seemed like downright foolish
ness, but she just had to go to Anne
Warehouses; wedding. and as Anne
wedding was to be an event OF stellar
social importance common clothes
would be out Of place.
Anne was the best girl friend Hill.
da ever had. They had been chums
in school and had been together so
much they were taken for sisters, and
even began to feel that way them
selves.
In their senior year at high school
the two girls became separated when
Anne's parents moved with her to a
nearby city. However, the two girls
corresponded regularly and were as
good friends as ever, spending most
of their vacation periods together.
Hilda was graduated from high
school, took business course and be.
came bookkeeper in a department
store. Anne took position as
stenegrapher in brokers office.
Three years later came the surpris-
ing news from Anne:
I'm going to marry a m;llionaire!"
It scanned that Anne's employer fell
In love with her and she with him. and
there could be only one natural re-
suit. In the midst of preparations for
the wedding, the Moorehouse home
burned to the ground, and plans were
upset for short time.
Then Anne got the idea she would
like to be married in the little church
she used to attend in her old home
town; so the two families most COIL
ceTned motored thither.
It was to be an elaborate function,
and consequently when Hilda received
an invitation she knew 1t behoovea
her to adorn herself suitably for the
occasion.
The wedding was set for II o'clock
In the morning, and at Hilda set out
afoot for the church. 1t had been rain
ing hard, but had cleared off, and the
sun was shining brightly.
Two blocks from the church she
stopped at corner to let big coupe
roll past. The machine was closer TO
( her than she had calculated as she
stood on the walk, and the rear wheel
churned up sea of mud and hurled
a tidal wave at Hilda.
AS the auto vanished round a cor.
ner block, away the girl stood ana
with her fists rubbed wet dirt out Of
hef'eyes and looked down at her dress
to see that It was ruined.
Hilda REALIZED that as far as her
presence was concerned the wedding.
might have been on Mars. She simply
could not attend In that mud.bespat.
tered costume. There was only one
thing to do-retrace her steps, take
OFF the $5S. so worth of ruined goods
and spend the day in misery in hel
room.
Htlda realized that as far as her
home, trying yainly to brush the cling.
ing mud from her, feeling OF rage
gradually rose within her. She re-
membered, how she had seen a young
man driving the coupe, and she re.
called that he had smiled at her rs
he drenched her with mud.
For moment the smiling face had
attracted her and she had wished that
she might know the young man. Now
she had the same longing, but for a
different reason. She would like TO
present him with slice of her mind.
Fretting and tuning, Hilda wend-
ed her way homeward, while the we'd
ding guests crowded the church, and
the bride-to.be, with the assistance of
"a maid, got into her gown in her room
at the hotel, and the groom.to.be sat
In his room with his father and smok.
ed black cigars to steady his nerves.
In the midst OF these preparations
the telephone In Annes room sum.
moned her, and when she turned from
the instrument she displayed excite
ment.
Get mother" she ordered the maid.
Gwendelin has had nervous col.
lapse and can't act as bridesmaid.
Anybody would think she was going
toabe married instead of her cousin.
was afraid she's so highstrung.
Mother insisted on having her, though.
Now, maybe, she'll consent to Hilda
Crauthers, II it's possible to get word
to Hilda this late, and II she'll con.
sent TO playing second fiddle"
So Mrs. Moorehouse nuttered onto
the scene, and when she had been
made acquainted with the situation
she futtered to the young man who
was about to become her son.in.law.
The latter's brother, who was to act
as best man, had just driven up in his
machine.
Fred" directed the prospective
! groom, take run up to the church
and yank Hilda Caruthers out of the
audience and bring her here. She can
wear one OF Anne's dresses"
al don't know her" Fred objected.
Mrs. Moorehouse fluttered back to
her daughter and returned with
picture OF Hilda. Fred's face took on
queer, elated expression as he stud.
led 1t.
That's funny" he remarked. "I
Just passed that girl little while ago
ON corner few blocks from here.
He went away, muttering.
THE real funny part of 1t is,
though, that she struck my eye and
nearly ran into an Ice wagon, because
was looking back at her"