Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-04-13

WOulu SApeCt YOU w iooh hho" "otAeh
of fashion"
"Still," she said, glancing mis-
chievously at him, "that is my present
ambition. / intend to make an'effort.
The only trouble is never thought Of
it before Tuesday, aud so I've had to
hurry"
az hope" he replied, "that you have
also thought of your speech' or
course 1 suppose you want women APP
pointed on board OF street inspectors
or you would not have consented to
talk to our eminent legislators on the
subject?'
Certainly do. Oh, when l begin
to speak l shall be intensely Interested.
1t will seem the most important thing
in the world to me. But as l am to
meet them at Mrs. Elliot's house must
look all right"
Nonsense" he exclaimed. "What
possible difference can your clothes
make il only they are neat and appro-
priatel Did you know that in ls47 n
bill very similar to the ono you are
interested in was before the legisla-
ture."
81 wish it had pass ed" she said.
"Do you know l would dearly love a
reform in operation. Was there ever
one?'
He smiled very slightly.
Well, :" he said, looking little an
noyed, you know never approved of
any of this. Mrs. Elliot shows little
wisdom in inviting those men to her
house to be talked to, AMI / don't
think you need have consented TO talk
to them. lsaid nothing because it was
none of my business, and also thought
you were deeply interested in tho ques-
tion. Now | find you are interested in
bonnets."
Yes" she answered, 81 have a
fever for bonnetsl And it has come
late in life. Consider, am twenty
four years old and l have never had
complete costumep have been n
creature Of shreds and tattors, and
have worn last years coat with next
years hat. Now am TO have toi-
let 4 velvet dress, sir, and-a train
and gloves with ten buttonsl"
And for what? To meet a lot Of
lubberly menl What will they care for
your ten buttons?"
Katherine laughed.
"The men are the excuse. Why, q
wedding would do as we'll But per
haps my attack Of vanity will be as
shoH as it is violent"
81 hope So" he said, standing up
and holding out his hand. 81 thought
you were superior to ali this"
liam not" she replied, gravely.
:" am q victim to it,"
"You have my best wishes for look
ing well. May I also hope for the sue.
cess OF your appeal2'
Katherine nov looked at him with
real gravity. She feared her frivolity
had carried her too far, but he turned
and walked ont of the room.
He looked perple1ed s. he b. 20
his office. he did not like thu. He
had considered Miss Wright very
sensible girl and he had not objected
to her liking for politics, nor had he
cared because she made speeches a.
ladies meetings and semi Jubilee affairs.
He would not have liked all this in his
wiie.or sister, but Katherine was neither.
He was nearly forty; he was bachelor,
distinguished and not poor, but he was
not a marrying man.
Suddenly he stood still. "'A fever
for honnetsl" he repeated. "a fever
for bonnetsI Tho next thing she
will be getting married And her
hairr What fool l was OF course
that is it."
Then he laughed. And then he won.
dered who il was. It couldn't be ono
Of the legislators
That evening he wrote her letter:
my DEAR MISS WRIGHT: / raw tho
very bonnet for you this afternoon. It
was gray and It was tied down, and
might be described as fuzzy or woolly.
1 think il very superior in style and
color to the ones you were worrying
over. A very pretty girl had il on. OF
course / couldn't ask her where she
bought it Very truly,
''GEoBaE L. RoBERrs.7
When Katherine read this note she
was confounded. Her "fever" was OF
such very late date that she had had
short time for preparation. Even now
she had to go to her dressmaker's, sho
had to buy lace and natural flowers.