The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-05
MABEL'S RECOMPGN5E.

daughter. Mrs. Pelham has written to
Paris for new bonnet, to my certain
knowledge"
"And, of course" added Emily, the
Youngest scion of the house of Dun
stable, "as you are going with us, Ma
bel, you will be expected not to disgrace
u.s."
Mabel Churchill looked from one to
the other of the speakers with troubled
expression of countenance.
"But, aunt" she said, mamma writes
me that Uncle Bateson and his wife have
lost all their money through the break.
ing of that bank, and that we must econ
omize as much as possible in order to
help them in their trouble. They are
very old, and"
Mrs. Dunstable's face darkened visi.
bly,.
"Mabel," said she, "your mothers
relations are nothing to me. Of course,
while you are my guest, shall expect
you to dress as becomes your station as
my niece"
Mabel knitted her pretty brows in sore
perplexity after her aunt had rustled out,
leaving strong odor of patchouli be-
hind her.
She had five pound note yet left of
the small store which they had scraped
together at home, when they sent her to
spend few months in London with
Aunt Dunstable, and she took it from
her purse and smoothed it out upon her
desk. Five pounds! She had hoped to
save it all for Uncle Bateson.
Her pretty shot silk was very fresh
still-she had only worn it some half.
dozen times-and her neat little straw
hat would look very nice, if she bought
new ribbon for it and rearranged the
flowers. At least that was the mental
conclusion at which she had arrived,
when Mrs. Dunstable issued her COM
mands that new Easter suit was among
the necessities.
Mable knew very we'll that she was
pretty. She never looked into the glass
without perceiving the difference he.
tween her fresh, spple-blossom OF face,
and the enameled and rouged complex
ions of her London-bred cousins. She
knew that her hair was like FURNISHED
curls of gold, her long-lashed eyes like
stars; and she would have liked Q new
Easter suit as we'll as any one; but there
was the old man and his enfeebled wife
to remember-the ancient relics of q by
gone generation, who had outlived the
sympathy OF almost all the world.
no" said Mabel to herself, 81 must
not spend this money. Easter or no
Easter.
So she sat herself down, ir the rainy
March afternoon, to rip up the shot ilk
dress, and alter it over 30 that even
Alicia and Emily should not know it for
the same.
But, with all her skill in amateur
dressmaking, the folds would not act
stylishly, the old creases would obtrude
themselves on the eye, and the costume
proclaimed, in its every glisten and puff.
Made over, made over, made over!'
Emily Dunstable shook her head.
M abel" said she, cts of no use
You never can wear that dress! And your
hat. too A plain split straw, without
even so much as o French flower"
Mabel burst into tears.
Very we'll, Emily" she said; "then l
will remain at home. You need not fear
that will disgrace the congregation Of
st. Etheldreds on Easter Sunday"
And this pledge evidently relieved the
mind of Miss Dunstable.
''FoI," as she afterwards toll her sister
Alice, "these halt civilized country girls
are capable of anything"
And the two elegant sisters did not take
the tronble, when Captain Brabszon
dropped in to o'clock tea, to send up
word to Mabel that there was compan
in the drawing-room.
II suppose she don't care to see me-
the captain thought, with sinking heart,
when at last he went away, after having
fingered as long as politeness would ad-
NIT.
81 suppose he never asked for me-
Mabel said to herself, as, from her win.
dow, she saw his retiring figure ssunter
slowly down the street. well, it mat.
tiers less than ever now about the new
dress. Nobody will know whether I have
one or not"
But when Easter came, AMI N ,bel
vas crying softly in her OWE room, to
think Of the radient spring sunset that
was flooding all the world at home, til.
waiting maid came smiling mp to the
door
please, Miss Mabel she said
here's basket o. violets. Real sricy-
smellin, / do declare! Csppen Brabazon
miss
Mabel uttered an exclamation of de
light.
Oh, the lovely, purple things. Clus
ters of fragrancel Delicious reminders o
the spring-t time at homel Oh, how kin,
it was of Captain Brabazon to remembe
that she was . country girl, exileu her
among brick walls.
Madame Cressonde's Young woman