The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-09-17
Borrowed
Plumage
BY ALDEN CHAPMAN
20. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.l

subject of the marriage of the son and
brother, Waldron, for two years man
ager of small wholesale mercantile
house In the city.
Miss Airline Burt spoke Joel Tai
bottI"a pretty name"
sand pretty herself" volunteered
Ruth spontaneously. "Have you seen
her pictures, father?"
81 am about to show them to YOU"
interrupted Mrs. Talbot with certain
severe dignity that was rather Omi-
nous. "Waldron has sent us four-a
sort Of goddess of the season SERIES"
and Mr.. Talbot regarded the speaker
trifle uneasily, for his wife's tones
were tinged with something Of sar-
.casm and bitterness. He wondered
why, and was soon enlightened. An
envelop containing four photographs
was handed to him. He inspected them
with curiosity and admiration and
made the sprightly remark:
Pretty as a picture, isn't she?"
THAT is question:" remarked Mrs.
Talbot rather snappishly. 81 am not
the woman to criticise or interfere in
my sons private affairs, but I am
bound to think Of his welfare"
"Why, what are you talking about,
Martha" Intercepted her husband in
vague surprise.
IF you have eyes, can't you see for
yourself" challenged Mrs. Talbot.
"ThOse four pictures tell the tale, don't
they"
II think she is the most charmingly
dressed being ever looked upon" said
Ruth.
"Why, yes" nodded Mr.. Talbot ap-
provingly.
"Oh! you do?" flared forth the wife
and mother. "And let me ask, have
you considered what those clothes
must cost? Why, the girl simply has
the latest and costliest gowns that
Paris can make"
"Well, even So" suggested the toll
Grant Mr.. Talbot, "she's fitted out for
n whole year, isn't she?"
yes. and oh how / would like to
see those lovely dresses" cried Ruth.
Mrs. Talbot was for writing at
once to Waldron, exhorting him to
think twice before he took to himself
ruinously extravagant wife. There
her husband set his foot down hard.
IT was not their province to interfere
In the heart affairs Of Waldron. Per-
haps he was wedding an heiress who
could afford to wear what she liked.
But this idea Mrs. Talbot secuted ut
terly by abiding to letter written
In the past by Waldron, in which he
had stated that his fiancee was poor.
worked for her living but was good as
gold, and would make him a helpful,
economical wife.
Economical shrugged Mrs. Tai
bott, and looked desperate.
"a sister-in-law to be proud of, any,
way" whispered Ruth to herself.
81 don't blame Waldron for falling
In love with such dream Of beauty"
soliloqulzed the old man.
In couple of weeks the news came
Informing the family of the wedding.
1t was modest, unpretentious affair.
The happy welded pair were to come
to the Talbot home for week and
due preparations were made to re-
ceive them, although Mrs. Talbot went
about her duties under protest. She
feared that the bride was likely to ap-
pear as capriciOus, overdressed crea-
ture, vain and extravagant, a sort Of
human doll with finery and display the
leading characteristics of her shallow
nature.
1t was upon Tuesday that the we'd
ded pair were expected. Ruth. Mt the
gate on the tiptoe of expectation look
ing for them. was surprised to see
cab drive up in front Of the house dis
charging q single passenger, a plain,
but neatly dressed lady with suit
case, whom she Immediately recOg-
nized as her sister-In-law. Airline was
wondrously pretty and graceful and
there was no affectatlon. but eager,
pleased delight as she was welcomed
by Ruth and her mother.
'..Waldron had some business to at
tend to at Wyndham," explained Ar
line, "and will be on with the trunks
tomorrow. How homelike and cozy it
Is here. Mother. dear, let me help
around until Waldron comes, won't
your"
She reappeared from her room clad
In simple Bingham gown, wearing no
jewelry but her wedding ring, and pre-
senting not the slightest trace Of arti-
ficiality. Mrs. Talbot was disarmed
by her simple, sensible ways, but Ruth
awaited the arrival of those trunks
with joyful anticipations.
There certainly is no flash and gilt
ter about her." admitted Mrs. Talbot
to her husband. "She seems anxious
and pleased to fall right into our home
spun ways and help all she can"
II never was so disappointed in my
life" pouted Ruth to girl friends the
next day, when the expected treasure
house, the trunk, arrived. "Why, I've
got as pretty Bingham frock and n
pink organdie and white lawn as she
has.
Dainty but economical" voted Mrs.
fTulhntt hIttrfoI i,.,l