Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1881-05-18
!. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. MAY IS, 1881.

you gave me this morning in regard to dress.
hope it suits you and that you admire its
effect?'
Well, no." responded Mr.. Harding, taking
a critical survey of the odd-looking figure be-
fore him. 81 can't say do. To speak plain
ly, you look like fright"
must say, john" retorted his wife, with
an injured air, that you are very difficult to
suit. 1 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 know? Here i,
the unbroken sweep of the 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 simplicity
i quote yOar own words-is DESTROYED bv
any superabundancc Of flowers, feathers and
ribbons"
Mr.. Harding turned very red.
That is all nonsense, Mary l had only
three hours at my disposal, it's now half-past
three. thought l should find you all ready"
In be ready in half a minute" replied
his wife, tying on her hat
Mr.. Harding looked at her in Mortified as
constituent
:" Do you think I'm to take you out in such
dress as that? Why, you look like an escap-
ed lunatic!'
just here the door bell rang.
ISIS Judge Howe' said Mr. Harding, as
he listened to the voice, in reply to the servant
who answered it, Hes come expressly to
see you. For PHYS sake 20 up stairs and put
on something decent. | wouldn't have him
see you in that dowdy thing for any considera-
ton
p" W Ill you promise
I'm promise anything" interposed Mr..
Harding, drawing his wife toward the door
which opened into the back parlor. and
through which she disappeared just as their
visitor entered
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 acquain-
ted with her would have recognized her.
Mr.. Harding drew long sigh of relief as
he looked at the pretty attired woman OF
whom he had often spoken to his friend, Judge
Howe, and to whom he was so proud to pre-
sent her
Al Iuc Gay ana animated conversation t0al
followed and all the pleasant thoughts tc
which it gave rise he forgot everything else
Not SO with Mrs. Harding. As soon as the
door closed after their visitor she turned hel
laughing eyes full upon her husbands face.
Now, John, let us have a fair and clear
understanding. / want to suit you if it is 4
| possible thing. Which of these two styles O.
dressing do you wish ME to adopt?"
Il shouldnt suppose you'd ask such ques-
ton, Mary. Seeing you in the peculiar cos
tune you assumed Is quite enough for me, ]
assure YOU
=" / assumed Ito please you--don't forget
that"
You failed in your object them To speak
frankly, didn't suppose it possible for you t.
look so downright ugly in anything
You are not over complimentary" laughed
Mrs. Harding. but no matter; if you'r
satisfied, I am. Don't look so crestfallen
john you are not bit more inconsistent thai
the rest of your sex who give ours 50 mucl
sage advice in regard TO matters they know
nothing about If the wives and daughter
of these modern Solomons should dress a
they advise other peoples wives and daughter
to do they wouldn't be seen in the street Will
| them"