The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-31

that belonged to her husbands aunt; ap-
parcntly well repaid for her trouble by the
garments, ,1ished up out of It's dark depths,
and which she carried to her own room.
Out Of these she fashioned dress similar
In style to one for which her husband had
expressed SO much admiration.
~ hate to disfgurc myself so!'' she
thought, as the straight folds fell lanlkily
around the tall, thin form, making 1t look
still moro tall and tim; 'but nothing else
will cure John; and if he keeps on, he'll
drive me frantic!'
Then she proceeded to take down the
hea y braids Of hair, and combing il
smoothly from the forehead over the car,
arranging it in Il pug low at the back of the
head.
''Good gracious! didn't suppose any
thing could make me look so much like u
fool" calculated Mrs. Harding, as she
noted tho change it made in her appearance.
''But no matter; is )nly for once, and l
think can stand it, if he can
Taking round, fiat hat, very much in
vogue u few years ago, and whose only
ornament was ribbon around the crown,
Mrs. Harding went into the parlor.
She did not have long to wait. Ten
minutes later John came up to tho door,
in an open phUton, drawn by the we'll
matched grays that were the pride of his
heart.
Running up the steps, ho opened the
door of the room where his wife sat.
lie stared at her for a moment in dumb
amazcmcnt.
'IIeaven and earth! Mary, is it you?
l thought it was-I don't known what
What have you been doing to yourself 2"
81 have been trying to carry out the
hints you gave me this morning in regard
to dress. I hope it suits you, and that you
admire its cfrcct?" -% +
'Wcll, no" responded Mr.. Harding, talk
ing critical survey of the odd-loolIing
figure before him; 81 can't say that I do.
TO speak plainly, you look like a fright'
81 must say, John, retortcd his wife,
with al injured air, "that you are very
hard to suit and very unreasonable. Ihavc
spent the greater part of the morning in
following out the suggestions you gave me
at breakfast and still you find fault What
is it now, I'd like to know2 Here is the
unbrolen sweep of skirt; the classic outline
Of the head think that is what you call
it. And you surely cannot say that this
hat is too high, or that its elegant simplici-
ty-I quote your own words--is destroyed
by any superabundancc 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 three. thought l should
find you all ready"
81 shall be ready in half a minute, y re-
piled his wife, tying on her hat. SS
Mr.. Harding looked at her in Mortified
astonishment.
'Do you think that an going to take
you out in such a dress as that2 Why,
you look like an escaped lunaticl'
Just then the door-bcll rang.
otis MIR. Howe" said Mr. Harding, as
ho listened to the voice, in reply to the SER
want who answered it. For PHYS sake go
up stairs and put on something decent.
wouldn't have him sec you in that dowdy
thing for any consideration"
"Will you promise"
cpl promise anything !" intcrposcd Mr..
Harding, drawing his wife towards the
door which opened into the back parlor,
and through which she disappeared just as
their visitor was announced.
In an almost incredibly short space Of
time Mrs. Harding entered the parlor,
where her husband and their guest were
seated, looking so different that no one not
intimately acquainted with her would have
recognized her.
MIR Harding drew a long sigh of relief
as he looked at the pretty, tuslily y-attircd
woman of whom he had often spoken to
his frlond Howe, and to whom he was SO
proud to present her.
In the gay and animated conversation
that followed, and all the pleasant thoughts
TO- which it gave rise, he forgot everything
else; not so Mrs. Harding AS soon as the
door closed after their visitor, she turned
her laughing eyes full upon her husbands
face.
"Now, John, lot us have fair and clear
understanding; want to suit you if posi-
BILE. Which Of these two stylcs of dressing
do you wish to adopt9"
'G shouldn't suppose you'd ask INC such
a question, Mary. Seeing you once in the
peculiar costume You assumed is quite
enough for me I assure you.''
81 assumed 1t to please you--don't for
get that" " &HS Tsfs<@ns'
"You've failed in your object, then. To
speak frankly, I didn't suppose it possible
for you to look so downright ugly in any
thing"
"You arc not over complimentary, she
replied, laughing. 'tBut no matter; if YOU
are satisfied, am. Don't look so. crest
fallen, John you arc not a bit more incon.
aiatpnf than TIM rhat oP yo,,r nav ,,,bo ~; 90