The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-12-28
WON BY a GOWN.


Franks wooden weddingq The cards caine
yesterday, " said Mrs. Merton to her hus-
band.
swhy, what can we do but acceptr' was
the answer in tone OF surprise.
"we can decline" replied the wife hesi-
tatingly.
''To DO sure, but why should wep"
For q reason so purely feminine that
don't suppose it would ever occur to you.
The fact is, have nothing suitable to
wear
why, Nell, the dress you wore to
mothers last week is tho handsomest
thing out, and you look lovely enough in
1t to flll other women with envy"
at is n pretty dress, quite fine enough
for family gathering, but 1t is only a
cashmere, after all, and, don't you see,
Tom, this is a different affair-a regular
partyH l suppose everybody worth know
ing in town will be there, and 1t is not
comfortable sensation 20 feel yourself tho
only shabbily dressed woman In the room.''
I 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 US to marry
poor clerk on a small salary
Yes, / know" interrupted his wife,
land wouldn't change him for the rich
est king in the world, but thought If you
did not care much about going we might
stay at homo. l can explain afterward to
Frank and Sue"
but you can't explain 10 others, Nell,
and wouldn't it seem rather strange, fer
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 we'll get what en-
joyment we can out of it, SO III send
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 bo able to outshine them ALL
IL only
''If only whatf Tom Merton, have you
gone daft?"
"Wcll, no, not exactly. You see dear,
had not intended to tell you anything
about it until the affair was settled IIar-
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 $4,000 year, with posi-
bility of still further advancement, but
don't DO 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 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 quiet corner of her cous-
in's parlor. Suddenly Tom gave start Of
surprise.
| "Do you sec that tall, elderly gentleman
talking TO FranliF" he said in a low tonc.
THAT Is Mr. Lyon, tho head of our firm.
! never expected TO SEQ him here. -
Meanwhile Mr.. Lyon saw and recog-
nized his clerk and In few moments
leisurely made his way toward him. After
aplcasant greeting he turned to Nell.
This Is my wifc, Alr. Lyon"
The man Of wealth and station bowed
with old time grace to the modest little
| woman.
~ am glad to meet you both" he said
II suppose you came out from the city for
this evening""
"Oh, no, we are living here in the vii
lage." Then, as Mr.. Lyon seemed inter
ested, Tom added, II have rented the War
ncr cottage, over on the hill"
"a very pleasant place, but quite long
walk for you. l should think you would
have chosen house nearer the station"
"lt Is not exactly matter of choice :"
explained Tom. TT 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 l see that my wife is Olsen
gagged just Mt this moment, and should
like to Introduce you to her"
"Whcwr' 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 reiolned lin later on.
"Oh, Tom, what did you think when
Mr.. Lyon asked me TO go with him and DO
introduced TO his wife?
"Oh, Tom" with littlo gasp 81 only
remembered that ho was tho man upon
whose decision your success depended
When ho left me with Mrs. Lyon, she WAS
so sweet and gracious, not u bit conde.
scending. I seemed to hnye known her
ever SO long Why, before l know 1t |
was telling her all about our little home
the garden, tho chickens and all. i"
Meanwhile tho senior partner said tc
his wife, What do you think of Mrs Mer,
tonY'
IA bright and sensible little woman
She lives over in the Warner cottage, which
they are fitting up and furnishing ont
room at a time, as thoy can afford it, fol
she has q holy horror Of debt and avoid,
the installment plan as she would tht
plague"
How did you manage to find out ST
much, my dear?'
- suspected, from your look and man
ner, that you wanted me to do little pri
vate detective work. Was right?"
+! Quite so, and your report is both com
pleto and satisfactory. You see, Helen
Mr.. Merton has applied for Harrison
: position He is very strongly indorsed b,
r othermembers Of the firm, but / hesitated
He Is quite young and seemed so full o
life md fun was afraid he was hardl
. steady enough for SO responsible u posi-
tion. You know my theory dear-that
wife must either make or mar her hus
4 bands life. When 1 saw Mrs. Merton
!. thought the ballast he might possibly nee
would be found in sensible wife"
Mr.. Lyon tore n leaf from his memo
!. randum book and wrote u few lines, whic
I his wife read approvingly.
i When Tom and Nell received lctte
announcing his desired appointment,
almost took their breath away.
i you blessed little wOman!' cried th
7. husband
"It's all because of the cashmere dres
Tom,h MIS- Merton answered laughingly
allow glad l am that wore it!"-E'
;. change.
: He Was Robbed.
Brown-You look as if you had II
a blues.