The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-12-04

"AS ~ "AAS'"oA thn1 shOy AuIoAcot liz.
"sNot at present." returned Mr.. Hard
ing, biting of the end of his cigar he inten-
ded' to light as soon as he got out on the
steps.
A few minutes later he put his head
back into the room where his wife was
sitting:
~ shall be around with the ponies at
8, Mary. Don't keep me waiting"
Mrs. Harding belonged to that large
class of ladies whose attractions depend
moro or less on style of dress, and DO one
understood this more clearly than she
She knew her strong and weak points, and
how to bring out the one and conceal the
other. For instance, she had fine eyes,
hair and complexion, but her features were
rather irregular, her forehead especially
being out Of proportion with the rest of her
face, and the form wanting in roundness
of outline. But so skillfully were these
defects remedied by the adjustment of the
hair and dress that they were scarcely no.
ticed, and she was considered by all who
knew her-her husband not excepted-to
be an attractive and very charming woman.
Mrs. Harding spent the greater part of
the morning in the attic overhauling chest
that had belonged to her husbands aunt :;
apparently well repaid for her trouble by
the garments fished up out of it's dark
depths, and which she carried to her own
room. Out of these she fashioned dress
very similar IN style to the one for which
her husband had expressed 80 much admira
ton. .t ....-.r
II hate to disflgure myself so' she
thought, as the straight folds fel. lankly
around the tall, thin form making it look
still more tall and thin; ''but nothing else
will cure John; and if he keeps on he'll
drive mo franticl" 3.
Taking round, flat hat, very much in
vogue. a few years ago, and whose only
ornament was ribbon around the crown,
Mrs. Harding went down into the psrlor.
She did NOT have long to wait. Ten min
utes later John came up to the door, in an
open phaeton, drawn by the we'll known
grays that were the pride Of his heart
Running up the steps, he opened the door
of the room where his wife sat. d.,
He stared at her, for moment, in dumb
amazement
"Heavens and earth! Mary, is that your
I thought it was-I don't know what
What have you been doing to yourself2"
"1 have been trying to carry out the hints
you gave me this morning in regard to
dress. hope it suits you and that you sd-
mlre its effect2"
swell, no." responded hlr, Harding,
taking critical survey of the odd looking
figure before him. Il can't say that do.
TO speak plainly you look like fright"
81 must say John, retorted his wife with
an injured air, that you are very difficult
to suit. l have spent the greater part of
the morning IN following the suggestions
you gave me at breakfast and still you find
fault. What is it now I'd like to know2
Hele is the unbroken sweep of skirt; the
classic line Of, the head think that is
what you call 1t. p And you surely can not
say that this hat is too high, or that It's ele-
giant ssimplicity-I quote yonr words-is
destroyed by any superabundanceo of flowers,
feathers and ribbons"
Mr., Harding turned very red.
THAT Is all nonsense, Mary. had only
three hours at my disposal, and it's now
half past g., thought should find you
all ready"
q shall be ready IN half minute" re-
piled his wife tying on her hat.
Mr.. Harding looked at her in horrltled
astonishment. ....., l.
''Do you think that l am going 20 take
you out in, such a dress as that4 Why you
look like an escaped lunatic!"
Just here the door bell rang.
''It's Judge Howe" said Mr.. Harding,
as he listeded to the voice, in reply to the
servant who answered it. "He's come ex-
prcssly to see you. For PHYS sake go up
stairs and put on something decent. I
wouldn't have him see you in that dowdy
thing for any Consideration"
"tWill you promlso-7-" ,t,,i,,,r.. a..
cpl promise anythingl'' interposed Mr..
Harding drawing his wife toward the door
which opened into the back parlor, and
through which she disappeared just as thel +
visitor was announced.
In an almost incredible short space of
time Mrs. Harding entered the parlor where
her husband and their guest were seated
looking SO different, that one not inti-
mately acquainted with her would have
recognized her., r
Mr. Harding drew long sigh Of relief
as he looked at the pretty, tastily ly-attircd
woman of whom he had 80 often spoken to
bis friend, Judge Howe, and to whom he
was so proud to present her.
! I'm the gay and animated conversation
that followed, and all the pleasant thoughts
to which IL gave rise, he forgot everything
else; not 50 with, Mrs. Harding. AS soon
rs the door closed after their visitor, she
turned her laughing eyes full upon her
husbands face.
'tNow John, let us have fair and clear