Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-12-03

suppose, though TOR any use it performs i
it might as well be called most anything
else; d mass OF ribbons, feathers and flow
ers, piled up as high as possible, and worl
upon the back of the head.'
Anything further?"
s'Yes. Look at the way the hair is wor1
by nine e this Of the ladies-yours anon,
'era, part of it in a snarl on the forehead
ana the rest braided and festooned at tn,
back of the head"
'How would you have me arrange it?'
"Wby, simply drawn back from the
forehead and cooled low at the back of tht
mead so as to preserve its classic outline
Something the way it is in that p cture
See?7
/ Mrs. Harding glanced at the picture te
which her husband pointed, that of a very
lively girl, with snail regular features
AID whose wavy hair was loosely knotted
1t the back.
~ es, l see. But don It think you ever
saw my hair dressed in that style"
at would be an immense Improvement
if you would dress it SO; you'd look like
lutte another person."
Il think should But have you any
urther suggestions to make? Your ideas
re so original that they interest me-"
Not at the present." returned MI
Harding, biting off the end Of the cigar he
attended to light as soon as he got on the
steps.
| eoxrr min ,,fn lot ho amt I1oo n
hack into the room where his wife was
sitting.
II 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
more or less on style of dress, and no one
understood this more clearly than she.
She knew her strong and weak points, and
how to ring out the one and conceal the
other. For instance, she had fine eyes
har and compile lion, but her features
wer rather irregular, her forehead especi-
ally being OUT of proportion with the rest
of her face, and the form wanting in
roundness of outline. But so sk1llfully
were these defects remedied by the adjust
ment of the hair and dress that they were
scarcely noticed, and she was considered
by all who knew her-her husband not ex-
cepted-to be an attractive and very
charming woman.
] Mrs. Harding spent the greater art of
| he morning in the attic overhauling a
chest that had belonged to Der husband s
aunt; apparently well repaid for her trouble
by the garmentssfs up out of its dark
depths, and which she carried to her own
room. Out of these she fashioned dress
very similar in style to this one for which
her husband had expressed so much adni-
| ration.
II hate to disfgure myself so!' she
round the tall, thin form making it look
| still more tall and thin, but nothing else
| will cure john; and. il he keeps on he'll
| lrive me frantic!'
Taking d round, flat hat, very much in
vogue few years ago, and whose only Or
lpameat was ribbon around the crown,
| Mrs.. Harding went down into the parlor.
She did not have long to wait. Ten
minutes later John came up to the door.
I in an open ph8ton, drawn by the well
known grays that were the pride of his
| heart.
Running up the steps, he opened the
| door of the room where his wife sat.
He stared at her for lnoment, in dumb
| amazement.
| Heavens and earth! Mary is that you?
| | thought it was-I don't know what!
What have you been doing to yourself?'
II have been trying to carry out the
hints you gave me this morning IN regard
10 dress. [ hope its suits you and that
you admire its effect?"
swell, no,'' responded Mr.. Harding
taking critical survey of the odd looking
f .ure before him. II can't say that | do.
To speak plainly you look like fright!''
II must say john" retorted his wife
with an injured air, THAT you are very
difficult to suit. have spent the greater
part of the morning in following the sug
gestions you gave me at breakfast anc
still you find fault What is it now Id
like to known? Here is the unbrokel
sweep of skirt; the classic line Of the heaC
L think that is what you Call it. And
you surely cannot say that this hat is toe
high, or that its elegant simplicity-I quote
your Words-is destroyed by any superb
b0ns.0
Mr.. Harding turned very red.
'sThat is all nonsense, Mary. I ha(
only three hours at my disposal, and it,
now half past g. l thought should fine
you all ready
81 shall be ready in half a minute" re
Piled his wife tying on her hat
MIR. Harding looked at her in Mortified
establishment.
do you think that I am going to take
you out in such a dress as that? Why yor
look like an escaped Iunatic!'
Just then the door bell rang.
: ''It's Judge Howe" SAID MI. Harding
as he listened to the voice, in reply to The
servant who answered it. 'He's come eX
pressly to see you. For PHYS sake so uE
stairs and put On something decent
wouldn't have him see you in that dowd,
thing for any consideration"
Twill you promise"
"l1l promise anything!" interposed Mr.
Harding drawing his wife toward TIN
door which opened into the back parlor
through which she disappeared just a
their visitor was announced
In an almost incredible short space 0
time Mrs. Harding entered the parlo
where her husband aud their guest wer
seated, looking so different that no one no