Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 May 1909 — Making a. Bridal Gown. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Making a. Bridal Gown.

By LITTELL M’CLUNG.

Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated ■Literary Press.

When Mamie Wilson’s aunt the seamstress, passed away to happier realms, leaving Mamie and her ten-year-old sister well nigh penniless, everybody in Christiansburg was sympathetic. Dry eyed, a sigh pf distress buried deep In her heart, Mamie left the seminary six months before diploma day and took up the urgent task of supporting herself and keeping her sister at school. Acting against the advice of her friends, she wasted no time in trying to find a place as teacher, stenographer or governess. Such positions were scarce in Christiansburg, and delay meant the acceptance of charity. So the weather worn sign that had swung for many years from the lattice-

work of the little ivy covered veranda disappeared, and in its place appeared a fresh, new board on which was painted, “Miss Mamie Wilson, Dressmaker.” Mamie knew that she could sew as fine a seam as ever went into a gown, and she hoped that her more fortunate girl friends in Christiansburg would give her lots of work to do. But she was doomed to disappointment. After the sympathetic stage had passed friends became politely critical. “What an ordinary vocation for such a bright girl!” commented one. “I doubt if she can sew, anyway,” said another. Thus Mamie got only piecework to do, and this netted her hardly enough to pay expenses. But there was at least one person in the town who took enough interest in the brave struggle of Mamie Wilson to express himself without restraint. Harold Randolph, the only son of the richest man in Christiansburg, had known and liked Mamie ever since they were boy and girl together. “It's an outrage,” he declared, “that every woman in this burg doesn’t give Mamie something to do! Why, I bet she could make a Parisian gown if it came to it!”

“If that’s the case, Harold, why don’t you drum up some work for her among your fashionable friends?” queried one of his girl chums banterlngly, a flash of jealousy in her eyes. The young man didn’t take the query in a joking mood. “You can wager your precious life that I will whenever I see the chance!” he responded. His opportunity did come, but bi a way he least expected. A few mornings later his father announced at the breakfast table that his sister Leila was going to marry the leading lawyer and politician of the place, who was on the eve of being nominated for congress. Leila said nothing, but looked fixedly at her plate. Harold gasped several times and then • entered a protest against such a sudden decision. But Randolph senior was a man of Immense determination. He had decided, and that settled it. They began preparations for the wedding, which, be said, would take place within a month. “Where do you expect to have your bridal robes constructed?” demanded Harold Randolph of his sister the moment the prematrlmonial buslie began. “Why, I shall telegraph to New York for my dressmaker to come at once," she answered without showing much Interest. “Well, as one final favor you’ll <to nothing of the kind, sis,” he supplicated. “Leila, for the sake of the family, don’t go through the agony of having a New York tailor down here. Why not let Mamie Wilson make your costume?”

“Mamie Wilson!"’ exclaimed Leha Randolph, a suspicious light in her eye. "The idea, Harold! You surely don't think Miss Wilson could fashion the kind of gown that I want?” “I don’t think anything about it,” leclared Harold, with emphasis. "1 know she can make any sort of dress to a queen's satisfaction. She’s an expert with the needle, and she has excellent taste. Besides, if I’m any

judge, she’s exactly your belgnt, and she doesn’t weigh five pounds more or less than you do. Why, she could model a dress over her own figure and give you a perfect fit! Then, Leila, she Is a brave, hardworking girl wuo is hav ing an uphill time of it We’ve got c dandy chance to help her, and It wib be a downright shame if we don’t do It.”

Leila Randolph put her arms about her handsome brother's neck. “All right, old fellow*,” she acquiesced, “there’ll be no tailor from New York. Miss Wilson shall make my wedding gown!” When she learned that she was to fashion Miss Randolph’s bridal robes Mamie was the happiest girl In town. She knew* this stroke of fortune meant for her other valuable* orders, and she concentrated her efforts to produce the finest costume ever seen at a Christiansburg marriage. Two weeks later a filmy glory of silk and lace was evolving rapidly from under the deft fingers. The bride to be was delighted, and her brother tvas as happy aq, the prospective bridegroom.

lie stopped frequently to inquire as to the progress of the gown. Each time he was met by smiling eyes that held genuine gratitude in their dark depths, for the little dressmaker could not help suspecting that Harold had been directly instrumental in her being given the piece de resistance of the trousseau.

But all Mamie’s bright hopes were doomed to sudden blight. One morning Christiansburg awoke to hear the startling news that Leila Randolph had eloped with a penniless though talented young mining engineer who liadtbeen prospecting in the neighborhood, The town was aghast, and consternation stalked through the Randolph household. Harold was the only one who didn't look calamity stricken. “Cheer up, all of you!” he said to his frightened mother and sisters. "This fellow sis has chosen is ail right. I’m glad, I can tell you, that she had the good sense to favor him over the other chap and the courage to take him! Lelia will bring him back in a few* days, and father will deed them a house; you’ll see! Dad will roar for awhile, but in the end he will give him a good job with a good salary attached, and everything will work out O. K. Don’t you see it will?”

This optimism finally cleared the atmosphere of some of its gloom. When calm reigned once more Harold got down to business. He made out a check payable to Miss Mamie Wilson for the full amount that was to be paid for his sister’s wedding outfit. His mother signed it without a word. Then the young man madu a beeline for the dressmaker’s. Mamie answered his ring and smiled as she invited him in, but there was a suspicious mist in her eyes. “Oh, I’m dreadfully sorry it’s happened,” she ventured sympathetically. “Don’t let it worry you, Mamie,” replied Harold lightly. _“It'lI turn out all right. I came down to pay for the dress; here's mamma’s check.” She took the slip of paper, glanced at it and then handed it back. “A slight change is necessary, Harold,” she said. “I couldn't take the full amount, for the gown isn't finished, you know.” “Yes. but you’re going to finish it.” he protested kindly. “Certainly, if you wish it,” she answered. “Then your sister will have use for it in some other way, after all?”

“Leila have use for it?” he repeated. “Certainly not. It’s for another g.UI now!” “Another girl!” she echoed, her eyes sparkling. “Why, it wouldn’t fit just any girl, I fear.” “Yes, there is one girl it will fit" said Harold slowly, “for she’s just Leila’s size. Ido hope she would like to wear it for me. Do you think she would ?”

He was looking steadily into Mamie’s eyes now, and his lips were compressed. She returned his gaze, and as she divined 11 that he was in earnest her heart beat joyously. “I’m afraid she would, very much." she whispered weakly as she nestled In his arms.

“A SLIGHT CHANGE IS NECESSABY, HAROLD,” SHE SAID.