hrough her
wardrobe, and discarded the things she felt would be too
ordinary-looking in such an exclusive "set" as she was about to join.

Sary refused nothing, carrying everything thrown to her, in her arms as
carefully as if she were holding a new-born babe. On the first trip she
made through the kitchen in order to reach her private domain, she
stopped before Mrs. Brewster and held out the lace-trimmed underwear.

"Mis Brewster, Ah never did think Ah would have sech fine troosos fer my
marritch. When Ah married Bill Ah diden have nawthin' but a new cambric
dress and a sun-bunnet. But this marritch will be the reel thing, what
with all the stuff I'm k'lectin, already."

"You are fortunate, Sary, to be on hand just as Miss Bob's trunks are
cleared out," remarked her mistress.

"Yeh, and d'ye know what?" Sary leaned over to whisper confidentially.
"Yeh see Ah'm not lettin' anythin' she gives me lay around one minute,
'cause she may change her mind. And ef she once saw _what_ a heap she is
throwin' away, she might think Ah was gettin' too much!"

Mrs. Brewster laughed at Sary's wily ways, and replied: "Well, I'll
spare you from all the work as long as you are gathering plums from
Bob's orchard. I hope you can fill a whole trunk, Sary."

But an unforeseen outgrowth of all these donations was sure to happen.
Once Sary had watched the trunks hoisted up in the ranch wagon, and
realized that there would be no more "pickin's" for her, she ran to her
room and began sorting and gloating over the mass of cast-off clothing.
And so mesmerized was she with pictures of herself adorned in the
dresses that were made for the form half her girth that Mrs. Brewster
found it impossible to coax her back to the kitchen.

Having the Saturday's baking to do, as well as to prepare the dinner for
extra ones that night, she went to the door to ask Polly and Eleanor to
come in and help her. But the two girls were not in sight.

There was but one hope left! She must do as clever generals did in
battle, when the fight seems to go against them--strategy.

She hurried to Sary's door which was closed and locked.

"Oh Sary! I remembered something that I wished to ask you about several
times this past week. Did Jeb give you the engagement ring yet?"

Not a sound came from within for a few moments, then the key turned and
Sary's amazed face appeared in the doorway. The floor and bed were
covered with finery, each piece spread out full length.