Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-12-01
Selette0 Storp.
From the CsristiGR WscSls
The Lilac Lawn.
BY c. A C.

1t was such a big bag, 50 big anil ca
pacious. buIging out and running over
with neat Little tied up bundles ei silk,
satin, muslin. and meiino. that no won
der our girls loved to rummage in II ;
comparing. criticising, ard chatlering
like parcel of magpies. as Dorothy used
to say; Dorothy never quite approved OF
our Investigating the piece bag II
"made litter" for the time. and litter
Dorothy's soul abhorred. lreally believe
that one Of her joys in looking forward
10 The heavenly mansions was that there
would be no.getling things oul OF place
there. Poor old Dorothy her riAls with
US girls were many, and had IL not been
fsr the unlailing loving kindness Of Aunt
Devine. and her perpetual example OF
loybearsnce toward the faithinl. creteheIy
old wsman, I fesr We shsuld have rather
enjoyed being 4. means for Dorn,hy's dis
cipllne.
Him r. said she crisply, ons dismal
rainy afternoon when looking into the
large south chamber she disccvered US
spread out en- the hoor with the piece
bag upset 10 our midst, enjoying a gen
eral rummage.
Him hope you intend 10 clear ny
after yourselves. In my Young days
there was plenty 10 do in rain ns well as
in shine. and fslks didn't have 10 make
mischief to kill time"
"If you hadn't worked SO valiantly then
perhaps there would have been somethin g
for this generation 10 doi" sad Maud.
saucily. Girls. ! mean to coax Aunt De-
vine 10 le, me have this piece of pearl
satin. II would make an elegant mouch'
or case liaed with pale blue"
That was your great aun, HarrieI's
wedding dress" inIerposed Dorothy -
Your Aunt Devine has TOO mu,h proper
respect TO let ii be Cut up by q parcel OF
ehits into heir French fallals."
dorothy. believe you kno" the his
tory Of every one OF the dead and gone
Grcsvenors. and which are bits of their
dresses from the first generation down.
said uilda, laughing. Positively this
bag seems to csnlain relics as precious 10
YOU as ST. Versnica's banker chief is to a
good Roman catholic. y
"It i'll becomes folks that wear dang
ling crucifxes aud strings of beads
round their uecks. and have Mater Dol
oruSsss hanging on their chamber wall'
10 twit me with Roman. catholic doinss :
said Dorothy, irately, Drilling as Hid.
meant to make her when she uttered hel
little gibe That bag is a real volume
to those that can read il. and lis mol'
than Ia allow to let YOU young rattle
brains make tree with it,"
..Tell us a story out OF it. Dorothy dear
won't you?" said gentle Amy. 1--WE
should like it so much"
Yes" cbimed in Maud; give as !
nice little moral tale. Dorothy, with thu
for foundation )" and the fun loving cir
pounced upon a scrap OF cloth and tossed
il toward the Old woman.
1t was a bit of figured lawn, pale lilac
flowers of nSndeseripl design on a white
ground. and as lilda glanced at It sh'
exclaimed:
That isn't half elegant enough Take
this gorgeous brocade instead. and tell u
OF some stately dame who never sat oil
| the door and talked slang"
Dorothy lifted The lilac lawn and looke'
A. i, with an expression rarely seen oil
her rugged face.
This goes back only to your Aun
Dsvine's Young days" she said. "Sh'
never wore it, but the one that did had nj
iuauy experience for you 10 hear. MOI
tears than laughter went into her lie
poor child"
The unwonted mildness OF Dorothy
reply surprised US, and Maud said gen
ily;