The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-04-24
A FATEFUL BLUNDER
Bg ANNE GARDNER HALE.

The Misses DE Bray were the most
popular-the favorite-milliner in Line
vile. So close was the partnership of
the two sisters, so perfect their unanimity
of thought and feeling, they were always
spoken of as one person, and both Of
them, or either, as the case might be,
addressed as "Miss Ellen and Maria. +"
Yet the title caused no confusion; SEEM
ing, rather, in its dual significance to
increase and to emphasize the value of the
individual judgment and opinion of each
of these highly respectable and much re-
spected gentlewomen.
One fine day in early spring Mrs. Ma
for Livingston, one of their best custom.
ers, came in in her usual airy way. The
"Opening' had not yet taken place, but,
as privileged friend, she was frequent
ly allowed peep beforehand at the ele-
gancies that were to ravish the eyes
and the hearts-of other customers far
ther on.
At the first sound of Mrs. Livingstone
CHEEKY voice, Helen gave a hasty glance
toward the little swivel glass to assure
herself that her gray curls were in order !;
then, while setting her collar, tucked
Maria's blonde frizette in place, and with
her accustomed smile was ready for bust
ness.
''I'm on time, Miss Helen and Maria, F."
said Mrs. Livingston. "And on the
tenter-hooks of expectation, too, till l
get glimpse of the new goods. Just
please show me what you have in
those boxes. They are new. can see
that plainly and she pointed compla-
Gently to pile of cartons at one end of
the counter.
Both the sisters laughed gayly. Miss
Helen exclaimed: ~ can't refuse you
anything" and both began to make
room for tho display.
my girls say they are tired Of seeing
me in mourning" went on Mrs. Living
ston. ''Four years, you know, since
their dear papa left us" A frightening
of the merry face, and falling Of the
gay tones accompanied those last words.
thine is great softener and con-
soler," said Miss Helen. "And it is in
teresting in our business to mark that.
One Of our most agreeable duties, though
q sad one always, is to keep the success
sive stages of bereavement supplied with
appropriate colors and designs"
"a pleasant Sadness" remarked her
sister, with emphasis. Sand we were
happy to make your mitigated mourning
last spring. Though Grape was very be-
coming to you, and you managed your
veil beautifully"
"oh! but the weight and the heat! l
knew poor dear papa would have been
perfectly satisfied if I'd only worn deep
mourning for one year."
"Of course, of course. Certainly.
For the Major was very reasonable man.
Few like him nowadays. Aud he would
have found no fault, I'm sure," said
Helen, with your half-mourning-black
and dead white and lavender have suited
your complexion and style so we'll"
Eyes, though do say it," returned
Mrs. Livingston, with coquettish toss
of her head, "my complexion doesn't
suffer by those colors."
"Oh no! you can wear anything, said
Maria-"any color. We never have the
least difficulty about your bonnets."
All this time the sisters were arranging
the cartons and peeping at their cen
tents. "Ah! here they are at last" said
Helen, opening one large box, and hand.
ing another to Maria. Exquisite, aren't
they2"
Natural enough 10 kiss and smell, u
exclaimed Mrs. Livingston, all excite
ment, and eagerly lifting the wreaths and
sprays thus displayed, while the sisters
looked on, smiling proudly. 'Oh! eau
II Do you really think I may venture
with these lovely rosess My Maud would
60 into ectasies over them. And such
ribbons! What a charming pinkl One
of the new shades, isn't it2"
"Just the thing to go with the roses, ;
said Maria.
Here" said Helen, opening another
box-'here, isn't this heliotrope beauti.
full. And the hyacinths. Such deli.
cate tint! Aud this silver gray ribbon9'
ooh, but these roses! You said
could wear anything, Miss Helen ant
Maria. I'll have these, l think"
Helen made calculation on the slat,
at the end of the counter, and told tn,
result.
"All right said Mrs. Livingston
Snow the bonnet"
Zone of these white chips, with little
lace, would be the proper thing for thos'
roses" said Maria
"And that would be- How much il
allY"
Another calculation was made, ant
Mrs. Livingston, saying, "You might q
well be paid now" opened her purse
and counted out the money. "And b,
sure you send it up before Sunday.
won't wear this old bonnet to church
again. Now must be off," and with ,
gay good-morning, she darted out, meet
ing at the door Nellie Stanton, teacher
of the district school.
Nellie's bright nod of recognition restet
only for an instant on the two sisters; th
roses Immediately claimed her attention
'sOh, Miss Helen and Maria" sh
cried, "what lovely flowers! Where di,
you get them9 And this elegant ribbon
How much, please2"
"We haven't had the opening yet, yo
know" said Maria. "Are not quit
ready for it."
"Then you can't tell me what the,
would come tot I'm to have a new bon
net"
''Oh, well, seeing it's you," said Mis-
Helen, and she mentioned the price.
The girls countenance fell instantly
~ can't think of them; mustn't. Blu
should like them so much"
"You can wear pink, returned Maria
"Those roses would be just the thing
on white chip, for you"
"No, no! can't possibly spare tn
money. These hyacinths are pretty, snt
this light gray ribbon. A friend tolt