The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-06-03

Iage inn with fine scOrn. She was not
quite sure she would know how to
behave-but she should certainly GO
Who ever heard Of a wedding trip
without hotel
She decided to stay three days, per
haps four, and she looked fondly at
the little round ring on the map.
which contained so many delightful
possibilities.
Then she would close the book and
20 to bed only to dream of wonderful
electrician rides to the moon
At last the great da: came. II
dawned clear and cloudless, and
very happy Matilda climbed the stairs
for her treasure JOyously she grasped
the precious pile with eager hands,
then looked ruefully at the empty spot
in the drawer. She hesitated mo-
ment. quickly found the dingy nickel,
and smiled content as she placed II
back In its old corner and closed the
drawer
With trembling hands she arrayed
herself in her wedding garments and
seated herself on the doorstep to wait
for the stage.
Matilda Jones looked almost hand
some this morning, with her cheeks
SO pink" said pretty girl on the
back seat to her companion. as the
coach stopped for its passenger.
"Why, Nellie" said Matilda to this
same pretty girl, as she clambered In,
"am l going to have you to ride WITH
That will be nice, I'm sure!"
"Yes, I am going up to the junction
to do some shopping-you know I'm
pretty busy these days." said she, with
an adorable blush. which suddenly re-
minded Matilda that II was nearing
Nellie's wedding day. This warmed
her heart to her at once. for was she
not on her own wedding trip? She
beamed anew on Nellie as she settled
herself comfortably for the two-mile
drive.
How the sun shone and the birds
sang, and how good the air was to
breathe.
Are you going away for long. Miss
Matildar' inquired Nellie politely
"No-only little trip" she replied,
trying to look unconcerned. as II trips
were an everyday occurrence with
her; but the red deepened In her
cheeks, and her voice trembled a little
as she asked abruptly:
"Where are you going to take your
wedding trip dearT'
The girl colored painfully.
1--WE can't take any at all, Miss Ma
tilda-isn't it dreadfulT' and the
young face looked pinched and drawn
with woe. You see, Jim's money.
that he'd been saving up to 60 with.
got all burned up in the fire, and-and
we've had to give it up!" she fin
ished with wall that clearly told her
disappointment.
Miss Matilda sat very still. She
thought her heart had stopped beat
ing-then 1t gave BIZ thump, and
there was a strange, tight feeling In
her throat. She did not say anything.
and. by and by Nellie looked out at
the scenery with q grieved expression
on her pretty face. When they
reached the junction, the young girl
turned her head, and said constrain-
eddy. as she Jumped lightly from the
coach: Il hope you'll have q nice
time. Miss Matilda"
Thank you," she murmured with.
out smiling. and clambered slowly
down. Then she walked a Tong the
platform, and sat down on an old set
tee on the shady side of the building.
BY and by a train rumhled in
shook itself Of passengers-gathered a
new lot-and rumbled ouH again. One
-two-three trains did. tie same
thing. and the forlorn little woman
still sat on the old settee.
didn't you want to stakS one O.
them trains?" good-nataredly asked
the blue-coated man, WHO Mad been
curiously watching her for some time.
She looked at him with dull eyes,
and shook her head.
When the stage coach made its
evening trip to the villaAe Nellie was
surprised to find Miss Matilda on the
back seat
"why, didn't expect 10 see you 50
sooni Didn't you goT' asked the
young girl pleasantly.
mo, I had had a headache
mean throatache," stammered Ma
tilda in confusion.
The next night Nellie burst into her
mothers room with an Sxcited face.
holding an open letter and a paste
board box In her hand.
"Mother-what do you think! I
told Miss Matilda yesterday how we
couldn't take any wedding trip. and
she never said words and then I
felt real cross, cause IRthought she
didn't care a bit; but list see what
that dear old maid has d ne"
My Dear Nellie:
1 think wedding trips Gre the incest
things in the world. and dpn't want you
to give UP yours. 1 had b little extra
money that / did not know what to do
with, 30 / send 1t to you for your wedding
trip / hope you will have a nice time.
Your friend,
MATILDA JONES.
And Nellie's tears dropped fast on
the dimes and nickels that rolled out
Of the pasteboard box.
Away at the top Of tiny house. In
a bureau drawer, q lone nickel keeps
guard over q dainty pile Of wedding
garments.