Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-03-21
MRS. MERTON'S DRESS.

NOW NudG SIdll VIC w "OOu' OO""
in Franks wooden wedding? The
cards came yesterday" said Mrs. Mer-
ton to her husband.
"Why, what can we do but accept?
was the answer, in a tone Of surprise.
eve can decline, replied the wife,
hesitatingly.
"To be sure but why should we?"
"For reason so purely feminine
that l don't suppose it would ever oc-
cur to you. The fact is, have moth
ing suitable to wear" And nervous
little laugh followed the confession,
"Why, Nell, The dress you wore to
mothers last week is the handsomest
thing out, and you look lovely enough
in it to fill every other woman with
envy"
ut is a pretty dress, quite fine
enough for family gathering; but it
is only cashmere after all, and don't
you see, Tom, this is different affair
"a regular party. l suppose every
body worth knowing in town will be
there, and it is not comfortable SEN
sation to feel yourself the only shah
bilv-dressed woman in the room"
"You precious little woman, you
should have the richest gown that
money could buy, if l could only af-
ford it but you know, dear, you were
so foolish as to marry poor clerk on
small salary-"
eyes, l know" interrupted his wife,
"and wouldn't change him for the
richest king in the world but |
thought, if you did not care much
about going, we might stay at home.
I can explain afterward to Frank and
Sue"
"But you couldn't explain to others,
Nell; and wouldn't it seem rather
stranger" urged Tom, with a mans
inveterate horror of doing something
the least bit peculiar. What could
l say to the fellows on the train, the
next day, if they asked why we were
aot at Stanley's wooden wedding?
For everybody knows that we are
cousins.
"Well, I've heard considerable about
the annoyance of poor relations; but
I think in this instance the possession
of rich one is quite as embarrassing,
sighed Nell; "however, as we seem
likely to make ourselves conspicuous
either by our presence or by our alb
sence, we NAV as well get what enjoy
ment we can out of it, so I'll send "a
note Of acceptance.
Bravo little woman, and ven-
ture to prophesy that, whether in silk
attire or cashmere gown, there will
not be another face there so beautiful
and fair as that of my little wife.
Perhaps, before another year, she may
be able to outshine them all, if only
He checked himself suddenly.
"If only what? Tom Merton, have
you gone daft?"
"Well, no, not exactly. You see,
dear, had not intended to tell you
anything about it until the affair was
settled; the fact is, Harrison, our head
bookkeeper, goes to Paris the first of
next month, and by his advice I've
applied for his position. If | succeed,
it will mean four thousand year with
a possibility of still further advance
ment but don't be too sanguine, as
he saw her eyes kindle. I'm afraid
Mr.. Lyon, our senior partner, doesn t
exactly favor me-thinks I'm too
young for so responsible position, |
believe; but there, Nell, l must be
off or miss my train.
Two weeks later, Mrs. Merton, in
her soft gray cashmere, with its trim
ming of lustrous silk and dainty lace,
stood with her husband in quiet cor
ner of her cousins parlor. Suddenly
Tom gave start of surprise.
"Do you see that tall, elderly gen.
tleman talking to Frank" he said, in
low tone. THAT is Mr.. Lyon, the
head of our firm. l never expected
to see him here"
Meanwhile Mr.. Lyon saw and rec
ognized his clerk, and, in a few mo-
ments, leisurely made his way toward
him. After pleasant greeting, he