The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-16
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HOW THEY HELPED HER,
BY ROSE HARTWICH THORPE.


could; but the dress alone would cost if-
teen dollars, to say nothing of the trim
mings and the dressmaker's bill.
Cant we manage to make it ourselves,
mother? The pattern that Miss Bowen
cut for me fits beautifully, and I'm sure
that we can make it as nicely as any one,
if we try Mr. Dunstan is coming to take
possession of Dunstan Hall in two weeks.
He is young, wealthy and unmarried; he
will call here, of course, as father has su-
perintended the repairs of the hail. and has
had the care of things since his uncle's
death Don't you suppose that father can
add little more to the amount already in
your possession? So much depends on my
having something nice and becoming to
wear, and .on my making fine appearance
during the next few weeks"
Il know it,, replied her mother with a
weary sigh; ''but I've only the twenty-five
dollars with which to get you and Pet
each dress 1 know that your father
can't spare another cent this month, and [
wouldn't think of asking him for it. Ifyou
get the dress you have set your heart upon
having, it will take, at the very least cali
culation, twenty dollars for dress material,
lace and buttons, even if we make it our
selves This would leave only five dollars
for Pets dress.
Little Mrs Haywood emptied the con-
tents of her purse in her lap as she spoke,
and carefully counted the shining silver
pieces once more, vainly hoping to find that
She had been mistaken in the amount it
contained. She turned the purse upside
down, and shook it vigorously; she pinched
and patted its empty sides, in order to make
sure that no stray dimes had slipped be-
tween the outside and the lining. Her
efforts were of no avail, however. Count
the little pile as often as she might, it al
ways summed up just twenty-five dollars
and three cents.
'Pet's only little girl, and it won't be
so serious matter if she isn't dressed
handsomely" began Miss Celia, appealing
ly. Then drawing her chair closer to he1
mothers, lowering her voice and glancing
apprehensively around, she added II have
passed my twenty-sixth birthday, you know
and l must catch a husband this summer,
if ever intend to. Pet will look very nice
in pretty calico. -ss.a asF-
"You bet she will!'' came like small
blast from behind the sofa.
Miss Celia gave terrible scream, as q
great, brown ball rolled out into the room
and unfolded itself like a mammoth jack,
knife .st .........
First, two bare, sunburned feet were
thrust out, then head and arms became
visible, and finally small terror of the
household-viz., the little brother-assum
ed a sitting posture, and eyed his lady sis
ter with twinkling, elfsh eyes.
II always thought that you's a long time
a gettin' past twenty. Pet and I've had
six birthdays since you've had single one,
he began laughing immoderately;; San you've
always had dreadfully old look for YOU
age, too"
''Dick p said Miss Celia, turning upor
him so suddenly that in trying to dodge
the expected blow he turned double som
ersault and landed in heap near the door
The young lady's features assumed q
meditative expression, and when she again
addressed him her tones were soft and per
suasive. .-. .Ha t.. t's.3
'I'm going to trust you, Dickie, with a
great secret. In fact, I'm going to make
a confdant of you, and I'll buy you pint
of peanuts the next time 60 to town il
you will find Pet and come with her to the
maple tree in about half an hour"
''I'll do itr he cried, springing up like
a rubber ball, and darting out of the room
with surprising agility
"a whole pint O peanuts for jest goin'
out to the maple tree,, he soliloquized
"Cracky! amt she a-gittin' generous in her
old age? Said she's a-goin' to make con
fidant O me. Now she needn't think Tn
a-goin' to jine the church, for 1 shan't de
it. The minister baptized six confdants
last Sunday; but 'twould take more'n one
pint o peanuts to get me into the watel
with my best breeches on. They'd never
be fit to be seen after that, an I don't gel
new duds so often that can afford to spil'
'em just to please her"
"Mother," remarked Miss Celia, seri
ously, after Dicks exit, ~ am going tt
engage both the children to assist me thi.
time. They have been the means of spoil
ing my matrimonial prospects several time
in the past. I think, if they understand
matters at the start, they will be more care
full this time. They will be only too glat
to have me married and settled in hom
of my own"
eyes," sighed Mrs. Haywood, family
as her daughter paused and seemed to ex
pect reply.
"You may make arrangements to get tn
, dress for me-" she added as she rose to keel
the appointment under the maple tree
"Pet viii be glad enough to wear calico on
more summer, when she understands tn
state of affairs.
; Dick and Pet were under the maple a
Celia approached, and that young lad
, could not help admiring the fresh, piquan
face of her ''little sister, as she had alway
called her; but somehow the little siste
seemed uncommonly tall and womanly o.
this especial afternoon.
She was seated in careless grace unde
the maple tree, weaving chain of bios
| SONS, with which to ornament Dicks hal
"What is it, Celia p cried Pet, as he
sister drew near. care you really goinl
to get married at last Z! And will you le
: me make the wedding cake ?"S tata ~
eyes, if you'll both promise to help me,
Celia began. II might have been marie
long ago if it hadn't been for you two
You remember DR.. Langdon, who"
eyes, / know, faltered Pet, with cor