Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
Mrs. Merton's Dress.

''Now what shall we do about Cous-
in Franks wooden wedding? The
cards came Yesterday" said Mrs,
Merton to her husband.
"Why, what can we do but accopt?"
was the answer, in tone of surprise.
1--WE can decline" replied the wife,
hestatingly.
"To be sure; but why should we?"
"For reason SO purely feminine
that | don't suppose it would ever
occur to you. The fact is, have
nothing suitable to wear" And a
nervous little laugh followed the con.
fession.
'Why, Nell, the dress you wore to
mothers last week is the handsomest
thing out, aud you look lovely enough
in 1t to fill every other woman with
envy"
at is a pretty dress, quite fine
enough for family gathering; but it
Is onl Y n cashmere, after all, and don't
you see, Tom this is different affair
"A regular party. / suppose every
body worth knowing in town will be
there, and it is not comfortable SEN
sation to feel yourself the only shah.
bilydressed woman in the ro ON.
"You precious little woman, you
should have the richest gown that
money could buy, if I could only
afford it; but you know, dear, You
were so foolish as to marry a poor
clerk on u small salary--"
"Yes, know" interrupted his wife,
"and | wouldn't change him for the
richest king in the world; but l
thought, If you did not care much
about going we might stay at home.
| 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 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
not at Stanley's wooden wedding?
For everybody knows that we are cou-
sins"
"Well, I've heard considerable
about the annoyance of poor rela-
tions; bnt think in this instance, the
possession of a rich one is quite as
embarrassing" sighed Nell; chow.
ever, as we seem likely to make our.
selves conspicuous either by our pres
ence or by our absence, we may as
well get what enjoyment we can ont
OF 1t, so I'll send note of accept
ance."
"BravO. little woman, and | ven
turc to prophesy that, whether in silk
attire or cashmere gown, there will
not be another face there 50 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. Yon see,
dear, | had not intend d 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, | must be
off OF miss my train.
Two weeks later, Mrs Merton, in
her soft gray cashmere, with its trim
ming of lustrous silk and dnintv 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 5aid, in
low tone. "That is Mr. Lyon, the
head of our firm ] never expected
to SEQ him here.
Meanwhile Mr., Lyon saw aud recog-
nized his clerk, and, lit few mo.
mentS, leisurely made his way toward
him. After pleasant greeting, he
turned to Nell. who had stepped back
a little. Tom drew her toward him.
"This is my wife, Mr.. Lyon" he
said with evident pride.
The man OF wealth and station