Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-25
WON BY A GOWN.

yesterday" said Mrs. Merton TO her hus-
band.
why, what can we do but acccptS was
the answer In tone Of surprise.
"We can decline" replied the wife hcsi.
ktiDgly
ITO se sure, but why should wcS'
For reason 80 purely feminine that
don't suppose II would ever occur 90 you.
The fact Is, l hayo nothing suitable to
wear
"Why, Nell, the dress you wore 20
mothers last week IL tho handsomest
thing out, and you look lovely enough In
II To I'll ! other women with envy"
ut Is pretty dress, quito fine enough
for "A family gathering, but II Is only
cashmere, after all, and, don't you sec,
Tom, this Is u different affair--a regular
partyY / suppose everybody worth know
ing In town will be there, and 10 IL not
comfortable sensation to feel yourself tho
only shabbily dressed woman In the room"
you precious little woman, you should
have the richest gown that money could
buy If l could afford It.; but, you know,
dear you were so foolish as TO marry "a
poor clerk on small salary"--
Yes, I know" interrupted his. wife,
land wouldn't change him for the rich
est king In the world, but thought II you
I did not care much about going We might
stay at home can explain afterward to
Frank and Sue"
But you can't explain to others, Nell,
and wouldn't 1t seem rather strange, for
everybody knows that we are cousinsY"
AS we seem likely TO make ourselves
conspicuous, either by our presence or our
absence we may just as well get what en-
joyment we can out OF It, so I'll send n
note OF acceptance"
Bravo, little woman, and venture to
prophesy that, whether in silk attire or
cashmere gown, there will not be another
face there as beautiful and fair as that Of
my little wife. Perhaps before another
year she may be able to outshine them all,
If only
IF only whatP Tom Merton, have you
gone daftY'
"Well no, not exactly. You see, dear, 1
had not int4ided to tell you anything
about it until the affair was settled. Har
rison, our head bookkeeper, goes to Paris
the first Of next month, and by his advice
I've applied for his position If succeed,
1t will mean S4 900 year, with posi-
bility Of still further advancement, but
don't DO too sanguine " us he saw her eyes
kindle. "I'm afraid Mr.. Lyon, our senior
partner, doesn't exactly favor me-thinks
Pm too young for so responsible posi-
tion, believe, but there, Nell, must be
off or miss my train"
Two weeks later Mrs Merton, in her
soft gray cashmere, with its trimmings of
lustrous silk and dainty lace, stood with
her husband in a quiet corner of her cous
ms parlor. Suddenly Tom gave start of
surprise.
''Do you see that tall, elderly gentleman
talking to Frank" he said in a low tone
"That Is Mr.. Lyon, the head Of our firm.
1 never expected to sec him here"
Meanwhile Mr.. Lyon saw and recog
nized his clerk and In few moments
leisurcly made bis way toward him. After
pleasant greeting he turned to Nell.
"This is my wife, Mr.. Lyon"
The man Of wealth and station bowed
with old time grace to the modest little
woman.
II am glad to meet you both," he said
81 suppose you came out from the city for
this EVENING"
ooh, no, we are living here in the vii
lage." Then, as Mr.. Lyon seemed inter-
ested, Tom added, II have rented the War
ner cottage, over on the hill"
"a very pleasant place, but quite long
walk for you. 1 should think you would
have chosen house nearer tho station"
y "It is not exactly matter Of choice. T"
explained Tom. 1T Is the only place
where the rent was within my means, and
indeed l rather enjoy the walk"
"Humph" CALCULATED Mr.. Lyon; then
with a quick, sharp glance at the lady
Mrs. Merton sec that my wife is olsen
gagged just at this moment, and l should
like to introduce you to her"
"Whew!' calculated Tom softly, as he
watched his wife move down the room on
the arm of his employer. What does it
mean anyway"
He was still puzzling over the matter
when she reioined him later on.
"Oh, Tom, what did you think when
Mr.. Lyon asked me to go with him and be
introduced to his wife9
ooh, Tom" with little gasp, ~ only
remembered that ho was the man upon
whose decision your success depended.
When he left me with Mrs. Lyon, she was
SO sweet and gracious, not bit conde-
scending seemed to have known her
ever so long Why, before I knew it
was telling her all about our little home
the garden, the chickens and ALL"
Meanwhile the senior partner said to
his wife, What do you think of Mrs. Mer-
tonp'
IA bright and sensible little woman
She lives over In the Warner cottage, which
they are fitting up and furnishing one
room at time, as they can afford 1t, for
she has holy horror of debt and avoids
the hhstallment plan as she would the
plague"
How did you manage to find out so
much, my dearp'
II suspected, from your look and man
ner that you wanted me TO do n little pri-
yate detective work. Was rightg"
"Quite so, and your report is both COM
plete and satisfactory. You see, Helen,
Mr.. Merton has applied for Harrison's
position. He is very strongly indorsed by
other members of the firm, but hesitated
Ho Is quite young and seemed SO full of
life and fun was afraid he was hardly