The Nome daily nugget., 1937-04-15


 Howell-Twinins wedding. Probably Andrew wouldn't feel he could go. But she must go. With somebody With Mir. Fink, Mrs. Fink was sure to be asked. She and Irene had belonged to the same bridge club.
 It seemed to Ruth that she was real ly getting into the swim at last.
 Five months before she and Andrew were strangers to everybody here. Then she had chanced upon Mrs. Fink. Andrew and Mr. Fink worked at the same place. Andrew said Tom Fink was good fellow.
 Just at first Ruth thought she didn't like Inez Fink, but after while she got used to the sharp eyed and sharp tongued woman. From this acquaint- ance had come Irene HowelrS invita- ton.
 Tt means a lot to us in way" she told Andrew at dinner.
 "A man is known by the company his wife keeps. The Towels are way up. So you see. Mrs. Fink says"
 Never mind Mrs. Fink. What want to know is how much this we'd ding is going to set me back Andrew said bruskly. "For a present mean" No present. We're only invited to the church.
 T see. Well. l cant make it, possi- ply. Fink isn't going either. l sup pose you and she can trail off togeth- ar Got auoriph fn NporS"
 Sure" Ruth smiled. Except a hat"
 I knew there'd be something short" Andrew pretended to groan. Remember my insurance premium comes due the first of the month. I've got to meet it if it takes leg. Every cent will count till that is seen to-" Ruth saw no prospect of getting new hat.
 Mrs. Fink ran in.
 No, Tom wasn't going 10 the wedding either.
 You and can trot along togeth- er," she said "I've just finished cross stitching my new white silk with orange and black It's swell. Now show me what you are going to wear.' Ruth brought out her blue crepe Mrs. Fink inspected it with careless glance.
 It'll do if you get smart hat to wear with 1t. Folks always look at your hat first. If you've got snappy chapeau you can get away with any old rag for dress"
 Ruth flushed hotly.
 The blue dress didn't look the same to her after Mrs. Fink got through with 1t.
 Ruth tried it on three times.
 Each time she felt more keenly the need of that new hat. She tried to change the trimming on her best hat, but it had faded underneath.
 Mrs. Fink made her go over and see the white silk ss-stitched with black and orange. It was charming. But the hat Mrs Fink had got to go with the dress took Ruth's breath away. It was the hat of her dreams. She bit her lip, trying to keep down pang of envy as Mrs. Fink carelessly twirled the hat on her hand.
 She let Ruth try on the hat. And the way Ruth looked in 1t! It made her blue eyes bluer. her cheeks pinker, her hair brighter.
 That night she dreamed about the black hat.
 Next morning Ruth was all excite ment. She hurried with the dish washing. She put the tiny home to rights with delft, swift motions.
 The wedding was at noon.
 At then minutes to eleven when she was all dressed ready to go the telephone bell rang. Mrs. Fink had called up to say hoarsely that her throat was getting worse every min. ute-she couldn't go.
 "I'm so sorry! It's too bad! That lovely dress! That elegant hat! Is there something can do for you, Mrs Fink?" Ruth's voice was full of hon. est concern.
 "Oh, I've got everything to doctor with. Say, Ruth! You can wear the hat If you want to-
 "Oh, Mrs. Fink! Do you really mean it? You aren't joking. are you"
 "I should say not! Stop in on your way past and get it."
 Ruth had always made il rule moi to borrow or lend unless there was real necessity for doing so Andrew was dead set against the practice him self.
 They had started out in their mar ried life to be independent. square and conservative. Up to this moment they had both fulfilled the conditions oi their little informal contract.