Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-12-17
LoTTIE'S BALL DRESS.

Mr.. and Mrs. Clarence Mellen ha'
been married scarcely more than
year-not long enough for the frs
gloss to be worn off her wedding-ring
not long enough to forget the en-
chanted gold shine ofthe honeymoon
and now, upon this clear Decembc
morning, the young wife sat at tn
breakfast table, in a most becomin!
negiige of rose-ribbons and dove-color
ed cashmere, with an open note ii
her hand, and her blue eyes spark
ing with delighted animation. 4
pretty picture to look upon, for Mrs
Mellen was very pretty-a tall, vel
vet checked blonde, with her hal
shining like braided sunbeams, be
meath tie coquettish little breakfast
cap she wore.
"Best. Clarence? Why, ofcourse
it is best! Lulu Sparkes would Civ,
her ears to get cards to Mrs. Bene
dicl's ball."
II dare saw" said Mr.. Mellen, dry
". "But did you ever read Ii
Fontaine's Fables ?"
"What do you mean, Clare p
"Only that it containes a story
concerning an iron pot and crocker
nv pot, that swan down stream to-
gether. OF course the china pot go
smashed"
Il don't see what your ridlculou.
old tables have to do with me-"
"A great deal, my love! Mr.
Benedict is rich banker. am on
ly confidential clerk, in his brother.
employ. Mr. Benedict las thous
ana dollars, probably, where have
one Our spheres lie apart. Is i
best then, for US to compete witt
them in any one respect?"
because we attend a ball at theil
house, we needn't necessarily compete
with tnem," pouted the young wife
beginning to pull at the fringe Of hel
breakfast napkin. "Of course, i
they invite us, it is only natural tC
suppose that they want us to come.
Il presume, my dear, we are invi
ted out Of compliment to Mr.. Bene
diets brother, who is kind enough tC
think tavorably Of your humble
servant
"And it would be very rude not tc
60"
Il don't think regret would be
taken in bad part, Charlotte. Be
sides, what have you tc wear that
would compare with the toilets OF
Mrs. Bently Benedict's fashionable
friends"
That just what l was going to
speak about said Mrs. Mellen 81
really did need a new silk dress. That
pea green affair is actually beginning
to look shabby, and the black silk |
had when we were married is positive
~ old fashioned by this time.
at is only thirteen months, Lot
tie"
But fashions alter so, Clarence,
vou know. Now there's a lilac molre
antiq e at Grants = the loveliest
shade Won ever saw. and a positive
bargain. on account of there being
only twenty two yards in the pattern
can get it for eighty FIVE dollars,
and sister Helen will lend me her
point lace flounces to trim it with
and
Eighty five dollars, Lottie ! And
for moire antique dress Do yon
know, MY dear, that that is almost a
tenth of my years salary
zone must look decent, once in a
way"
lie shook his head gravely.
"Nc, Lottie. am sorry to seem
| ar or unkind, but this is 50 wild an
ldea that | can only conclude you
have not thought sufficiently about il
yourself. Mrs Benedict is very kind
TO invite us to this ball, but you must
write a declination."
Charlotte burst into tears, and fol
the first time since their wedding
dav, Mr. Melien stalked out of thr
room without Il goodbye kiss.
That afternoon came up hurried
note from his office, as follows:
DARLING Lo1rrK Please send. by the bearer
my yal.Se, with few changes 81 linen and otbe
neces aries for an absence 81 eight or ten dav
on business for the firm. lnclosed yon Will nn
fifty dollar hill for the painter-a debt who
ought 10 have been attended to before. Take
| receipt. he careful Of yourself while am gone
| wish could have run up TO say adieu, hat tin
presses. lf you are lonely, get one OF your sic
ters 10 come and stay with you.
Afectionately, CLARENCE
Lott;e had been crying all the NOR
ming. but.now her eyes glittered. 4
new brightness came into her face, a
she hurried hither and thither, put
ting up her huband's things. An'
after the messenger was gone, sh
looked down at the ffty-dollar bill il
her hand.
Fight or ten days." she repeated
to herself. 1'll go TO the ball, afte
all. with Helen and her husband
I'll take this money and buy tn
moire antique. Grant will trust m
for the other thirty-fve, | am SIRE
and as for the painter, just as likel.
as not he's in no hurry for his money
and if he is, I'll write to Uncle jess
to lend me fifty dollars. was al
WAYS uncle Jesse's favorite niece"
And this eager young woman thre'
on her bonnet and shawl, ard hurrie'
down to Grants to buy the remnon
OF lilac moire antique.
.'Oh, certainly! certainly Nj
Grant was in no hurry at all for tn
r,orav uo would wa;t Mr. Me-