Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-03-29
not excepted-to be an attractive and
charming woman.

not excepted-to be an attractive and
charming woman.
Mrs. Harding spent the greater part
of the morning in the attic, Overhauling
a chest that had belonged to her hus-
bands aunt. apparently well repaid for
her trouble by garments ished up out of
its dark deep depths. and which she
carried to her own room. Out of one
of these she fished dress very similar
in style to the ore for which her hus-
band had expressed so much admiration.
Il hate to disfigure myself sor she
thought. as the straight folds fell lankIy
around the tall, thin form, making it
still more tall and thin, but nothing
else will cure John, and if he keeps on
he'll drive me frantic.
Then she proceeded to take down her
heavy braids of hair, and combing it
smoothly from her forehead over the
ear. arranged it into pug low at the
back of the head --
Good gracious! don't suppose any,
thing could make me look so much like
a foOlp calculated Mrs. Harding as she
noted the change il made in her appear
| ancs. but no matter; it's only for this
once, and guess can stand it if he
eanP
Taking round, fiat hat, very much in
vogue few years ago, and whose only
ornament was a ribb0iaS around the
crown, Mrs. Harding went down into
the parlor.
She did not have to wait. Ten min
utes later John came up to the door in
an open phaton drawn by the we'll
matched greyS that were the pride of
his heart.
Running up the steps, he opexed the
door where his wife sat.
He stared at her for moment in
dumb amazement.
Heavens and earth, Mary, is that
you? [ thought it waS-I don't know
what. What have you been doing with
yOurself?'
i have been trying to carry out the
hints you gave me this morning In re
gard to dress. hope it suits you aud
you admire its effects
We'll, no. responded Mr.. Harding,
taking critical survey of the odd-look
ing figure before him. Il can't say do.
To speak plainly, you look like fright
L must say, john reterted his wife,
with an injured air, that you are very
er portion of the morning in following
the suggestion you gave me at break |
fast, and still you find fault. What is |
it now, I'd like to know? Here is 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 is too high, or that its elegant
simplicity'-1 quote your words-is de-
stroyed by any super abundance of flow-
ers, feathers and ribbons
Mr.. Harding turned very red.
That is all nonsense, Mary. / had
only three hours at my disposal, and it's
now 3:3O thought l should find you
all ready
Il shall be ready in half a minute re-
spOnded his wife, tying on her hat -
Mr.. Harding foUkeu at her in horrided /
astonishmeDt.
DO you think that 1 am going to take
you out in such a dress as that? Why,
you look like an escaped lunaticp
Just here the dOor-bell rang.
It's Judge Howe said Mr.. Harding,
as he listened to the voice, in reply to
the servant who answered it. He's
coming expressly to see you. For PHYS
sake, go up stairs and put on something
decent. l wouldn't have him see you in
that dowdy thing for any consideration.
will you promise
III 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 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 long sigh of re
lief as he looked at the pretty, tastily at
tired woman of whom he had so often
spoken to his friend Judge Howe, and
to whom he was 50 proud to present her.
In the gay and animated conversation
shat followed, and all the pleasant
thoughts to which it gave aise, he for
got everything else. Not so with Mrs.
Harding. As soon as the door closed
after their visitor, she turned her laugh
ing eyes full upon her husbands face.
Now, John, let US have fair and f
clear understanding. l want to suit
you, if it is possible thing. Which of
those two styles of dressing do you wish
me- to adopt?' I
4 shouldn't suppose you'd ask such {
question, Mary. :. eing you in the pc l
;uliar costume you assumed is quite
enough for me, l assure you
L assumed it to please yov-dOn't for =
get that ;
You failed in your object, then. To
speak frankly, didn't suppose it pOssi-
Die for you to look SO downright ugly in .
You are over complimentary laugh
I'd Mrs. Harding. But no matter, if you
Ire satisfied am. Don't look so crest S
allen, John; you are not bit more in T
than the rest of your sex, x,whO T.
,ive ours so much sage advice in regard C
o matters they know nothing about.
f the wives and daughters of these b
modern Solomons should dress as they r
.dvise other peoples wives and daugh- d
ers to do, they wouldn't be seen in the
treets with them