The Washington times., 1895-01-20
The Cashmere Gown.


yesterday" said Mrs. Merton to her husband.
"Why, what can we do but accept?" was
the answer, in tone OF surprise.
'We can Decline replied the wife hesitat-
ingly.
ITO be sure; but why should WEI"
"For reason SO purely feminine that l
don't suppose 1t would ever occur to you.
The fact is, have nothing suitable to wear"
And a nervous little laugh followed the con-
fession.
'sWhy, 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"
1T is pretty dress, quite fine enough for
Il family gathering, but it is only cashmere,
after all, and. don't you see, Tom, this is a
different affair-a regular party. | suppose
everybody worth kn )wing in town will be
there, and it is not a comfortable sensation
to feel yourself the only shabbily dressed
woman in the room.
''You precious little woman, you should
have the richest gown that money could buy
il could only afford it; but you know, dear.
you were so foolish as to marry poor clerk
on a small salary"--
"Yes. 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. l
can explain aiterward to Frank and Sue"
"But you couldn't explain to others, Nell,
and wouldn't it seem rather stranger" urged
Tom, with man S inveierate horror of doing
something the least bit peculiar. what
could | say to the fellows on the train next
day if they asked me why we were not at
staniey's wooden wedding? For everybody
knows that we are cousins"
'Wel. I've heard considerable about the
annoyance of poor relations. but | think in
this instance the possession OF a rich one is
quite as embarrassing sighed Nell How
ever. as we seem likely to make ourselves
conspicuous either by our presence or our
absence, we may just as well get what enjoy
ment we can out OF it, so I'll send a note OF
acceptance"
''Bravo little woman, and i venture 10 pro-
phesy 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 outshne them, if only''--
He checked himself suddenly.
"If only what? Tom Merton have you
| gone daft?''
"Well, no. not exactly. You see dear. l
| had not intended to tell you anything about
il until the affair was settled. The fact is,
| Harrison. our head bookkeeper. goes to Paris
| the first of next month, and by his advice We
| applied for bis position. If l succeed it will
mean - goo Il year, with possibility OF still
/ further advancement, but don't be too san
| guine" as he saw her eye kindle. II N
| afraid Mr.. Lyon, our senior partner, doesn
! exactly favor me-thinks I'm too young for
/ SO responsible position, believe; but there,
| Nell. must be of or miss my train.
Two weeks later Mrs. Merton. in her soft
| gray cashmere, with its trimming of lustrous
silk and dainty lace, stood with her husband
rzF f- arrtFn Sud
denly Tom gave a start of surprise.
"Do you see that tail, elderly gentleman
I talking to Frank he said. in a low tone.
/ THAT is Mr. Lyon. the head OF our firm. /
never expected to see him here.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Lyon saw and recognized
| his clerk, and, in few moments. leis rely
made his way toward him After pleasant
greeting he returned to Neil. 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 bowed with
old-tiIae grace to the modest little woman.
II an glad to meet YOU both. he said. u
I suppose you came out from the city for thi:
| evening.
"Oh. no; we are living here in the village.
Then, as Mr.. Lyon seemed interested, Ton
added: Il have rented the Warner cottage
over on the hill"
"A very pleasant place, but quite Ions
walk for YOU l should think you WoulC
have chosen a house nearer the station.
1T is not exactly a matter OF choice" ex
planned Tom. 1T is the Only place where th'
rent was within my means, and, indeed,
rather enjoy the walk"
'.Humph' calculated Mr.. Lyon; then, will
quick sharp glance at the lady-"Mrs Mer
ton, see that my wife is disengaged just a
this moment, and l should like 10 introduc
you TO her"
"Whewln calculated Tom, softly. as h
watched his wife move down the room on tn
arm of his employer. What would the fel
lows in the Office say to that? And what doe
it mean. any way?"
He was still puzzlng over the matter whel
she rejoined him later on. He made her
low bow of mock reverence.
"Oh. TonI what did you think when MI
Lyon asked me 10 so with him and be intro
duced to his wife?''
Think was too dumbfounded TO thin
or do anything else but stare in amazement
as | saw him present you to his wife with a
much courtesy as il YOU were the first lady il
tie land. He has always seemed so reserved
and even naughty l had no idea he woul
eondescend to persons of such low estate a
an assistant bookkeeper and his wife, be sh
ever so fair and charming. | say, Nell. hoy
did you feel sailing through the crowd o
the arm ofthe Grand Mogul HIMSELF?
''Oh, Tom, with q little gasp, II neve
once thought of him in that way. | only re
membered be was the man upon whose de
cision your success depended. When he le
me with Mrs. Lyon she was so sweet an
gracious not bit condescending SCENE
to have known her ever so long. Why, bt
fore / knew it, l was telling her all about ou
little home-the garden. the chickens, an
all"
Meanwhile the senior partner said to hi
wife: What do you think of Mrs Merton?"
! "A bright and sensible little woman; sh
lives over in the Warner cottage. which the
i are fitting up and furnishing, one room at
time as they can afford it for she has hol
, | horror of debt, and avoids the instalmei
plan as she would the plague. She does ht
own work. sewing included, and is altogetht
energetic and capable"
2" How did you manage to find out so mucl
my dear2"
S,,'.I suspected from your look and manne
that You wanted me TO do n little private de
tective work; was right"
. .'Quite so; and your report is both con
plete and satisfactory. You see, Helen, NJ
. Merton has applied for Harrison's position
He is very strongly indorsed by other men
be.s OF the firm, but hestated. lie is qui
young and seemed 80 full of life and fun,
was afraid he was hardly steady enough K
so responsible position. You know N
theory, dear, that a wife must either make
mar her husbands life. When / saw Mr.
Merton in her plain, questionable dres
that was neither silk nor satin, thought III
o ballast he might possibly need would
found in sensible wife. | found her inte
ligent yeducated aud ladylike. What you te
me increases my confidence in her, and
q have decided to advance him TO the positic
: he DESIRES
Mr. Lyon tore a leaf from his memcrandul
book and wrote q few lines, which his wi
| nNYip lu,