Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1920-02-04
SHORT STORIES BY Three MODERN FICTION WRITER'S
RUTH'S DRESS
BY JOSEPHINE MURPHY.

Ruth was making her wedding dress;
dainty gown OF fine sheer white or
gaudy and cobweb lace, just such q
ever since the day Alan White had put
little RUG with three blue tur-
QuOises ON her slender brown finger.
The dress stood for great deal Of
extra economy, and lot of self-sacri-
fee on the part OF her father and
mother.
Ruth's heart beat with JOY as she
hemuled the little ruttles. Mrs. Mills.
passing by, stopped and touched the
dress gently.
Isn't 1t pretty?" she said, wistfully.
I'm real glad we made out to manage
it. Your father thought at first that
it was foolish to spend money on q
white dress when you needed so many
other things. But insisted. l remem-
bered when l was married l wanted
white dress, too, but they all said it
was such fooiishness that l gave up
the Idea and was married in my brown
silk. But as have ever since wanted
yours"
Dear me! There's Miss Helen COM
Ing across the tield!"
Irene, who had entered few min
utes before, ran and opened the door
for her, while Ruth hurriedly gathered
up her rutties. Mother. help me get
these out of sight. Miss Helen mustn't
see this dress. She's such an old Cos
sip"
Although the dress and ruffles were
safely tucked away before Helen came
in, her sharp eyes did not fail to no.
tice piece Of lace on the carpet and
a white thread clinging to Ruth's 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 Ruth's confidence.
Neither Miss Helen nor anyone else in
Westwood was destined to see that
dress Of Ruth's.
On the day that it was finished,
Ruth's heart beat fast with joy, as she
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.
nth l.,
of charred rags.
When Ruth came in and beheld the
remains of the gown she had made
with such pride and delight flood Of
tears streamed down her pale cheeks.
She would now have to wear her dark
blue silk, and it 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 go up
town Miss Helen threw a shawl over
her shoulders and wendell her way
across the meadow to the Mills home
stead.
She found Ruth curled up on the
sofa, her head buried in a pillow. She
sat down beside her; putting her arms
around the little figure, she pressed it
closely to her heart. I've heard all
about 1t, DEAR" she whispered, land
Pm 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 TREMENDOUSLY, i've never
taken anyone in here before. This was
my room long ago, when was a young
girl. I've never used it since-since
put girlhood behind me forever"
Opening the door, she went to a
chintz-covered chest near the window.
and opened it. A sweet, faint spiciness
f1onted up into the room as she lifted
out 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 l was engaged to a young
sea captain. When he left to go on his
last voyage l 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, l want you to
take it to be married in"
"Oh, dear Miss Helen!" cried Ruth
tenderly, Il couldn't; why, it would
SEEM"
"Wait, DEAR" interrupted Helen, Il
don't want you to think ! am making
any sacrifice in giving you this dress.
I've always wanted to see it worn by
bride; that is what it was made
for"
THANK you," said Ruth. "Oh, dear
Miss Helen, thank you'll"
No bride could have looked sweeter
and fairer than Ruth on her wedding
day, and Miss Helen wept tears of
joy.
copyright. 1918, Mcclure Newspape,
Syndicate.)
Green Thin