The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-10-16
THE GARDEN PARTY.


sent them an invitation to her gar
den party, they looked at one an
other in silent longing. mixed with
Idismay.
'Wouldn'tit be nicel" said Lilias,
With little gasp.
I'VE should meet everybody ="
aid Louise. thinking only of one
Particular person, handsome major
of artillery. who was visiting at the
seymour mansion Just at that time.
"Ard we never get chance to 90
IAnywhere.' sighed Lsilias.
!. But it's no use !" declared Louise.
I 1--WE haven't a thing to wearl'
But, Hotfise. Think l" urged Lili-
as. "There are our two white or
Candle dresses"
"Horrid. scant, old fashioned
things! ~ said Louise. "Besides, the
last time it YVES done up, there was a
hole ironed through the bottom
founee of mine,"
YES, / know, "said Lilias. "Neith+
er of them in itself is fit to wear but
l was thinking we coulG take the
best part of each and contrive quite
respectable gown of both"
"Oh, you darling!" cried Louise,
ecstatically. "But,n with a sudden
catching of her breath. "only one
dress ? Then only one of US could
60. 1t must be you, Lily ~
mo, not me-" said Lilias "you
are the younger"
"But you are a thousand times
the prettier ~ cried enthusiastic
Louise,
"And it was my fault that Aunt
Parkyns' box of cast-off dresses was
nailed up and sent back,,' said Lili-
as land that she was offended by
my writing that dreadful note about
not wanting anything that was only
fit for the rag-bag."
ut was true" flashed out Louise.
"She would have been ashamed to
offer the wretched scraps to her maid.
If she really wanted to help US, why
didn't she send gift of money, or
of something that we could put to
some use ."
1T was all my pride and haughti-
ness! J! sighed Lilias. "And now l
deserve to do penanre for it. Well
| fix the white organdie dress over.
dear. and you shall wear it. / saw a
beautiful pattern In the old leaf of a
fashion-hook that was around the
roses that Mrs. Seymour sent man.
ma, and 1 almost know how can ar
I range it to look NICE"
"But," sighed Louise, "the bon
net 20
"Must you have bonnet ?"
"For garden party? OF course"
decided Louise. Everybody wears
them"
"Can't we trim the old one ?''
with what ?" said despairing
Louise. ooh. Lilly, we must give it
up, after ALL"
mo we WON'T" said Lilias. 1--WE
can do something, am sure of that
Only give me time to think ; and in
the meanwhile, get your scissors we
must rip up the old organdie at once
and while we are working, Well spur
up our inventive powers"
But no ingenuity on earth can
make something out ofnothing and
the more Lilias and Louise ponder
ed, the less satisfactory became the
prospect of bonnet fit to wear to
Mrs. Stuart Seymour's garden party.
"If can't go like a lady l won't
go at ALL" said poor Louise with
tears in her eyes. II hate being
shabby. .genteel."
But when Louise wss down in the
kitchen, washing and ironing sun
dry bits of lace which had been rip
ped off the two dresses, which were
now being condensed into One,a sud-
den. bright idea blazed into LiIias's
brain.
II almost knew L could do it," she
said, speaking out aloud In her ear
nestness. "rhe very coarsest rye
straw, with black lace strings, made
out of mammals old thread barbe, land
a cluster of pink everlasting flowers
pinned on the side; and l saw them
carting a load of such lovely rye.
straw into Mr.. Dariing's barn yes
terday. l don't think 1t would be a
sin for me to take just few. AT all
events / shall run the risk and
won'tte tell Louise until / know wheth.
er 1t will be a failure or not, PIl
braid II in the fancy pattern | learn.
ed at Mrs. F0llett's when l was al
boarding.school, and l can shape il
over the little earthenware-crock we
cook oatmeal in."
Very early the next morning, while
thp SpDtnmhpr SkV was vet glowing