The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-08-30
miscellaneous.
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 accept p
was the answer, in tone of surprise.
I'VE can Decline" replied the wife,
hesitatingly.
ITO be sure but why should we ?''
For a reason so purely feminine
that don't suppose it would ever oc.
cur to you. The fact is, have moth.
ing to wear" And a 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"
lit 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 a comfortable SEN
sation to feel yourself the only shah
billy dressed woman in the ROOM"
You precious little woman, you
should have the richest gown that
money could buy, if | could only af-
ford it but you know, dear, you were
SO foolish as to marry poor clerk on
a small salary"
"Yes, know" interrupted his wife,
land 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.
| can explain afterward to Frank and
Sue.n
but you couldn't explain to others,
Nell /; and wouldn't it seem rather
strange % urged Tom, with a mans
inveterate horror of doing something
the least bit peculiar. What could |
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 cous,
ms"
"Well, I've heard considerable
about the annoyance of poor relations
but l think in this instance, the pos
session of a rich one is quite as EN-
barrassing," sighed Nell however,
as we seem likely to make ourselves
conspicuous either by our presence or
by our absence, we may as well get
what enjoyment we can out of it, so
I'll send a note of acceptance.
Bravo little woman, and l ven
ture to prophesy that, whether in silk
attire or cashmere,gown, there will not
be another face there so beautiful and
as that of my little wife. Perhaps, be-
fore 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 a year with
possibility of still further advance
ment but don't be too sanguine,' as
he saw her eyes kindle. Pm afraid
Mr.. Lyon, our senior partner, doesn't
exactly favor me-thinks I'm too
young for so responsible position, l
believe but there, Nell, | must be off
or miss my train
1.-TWO weeks later, Mrs. Merton in her
soft gray cashmere, with its trimming
of lustrous silk and dainty lace, stood
with her husband in quiet corner OF
her cousins parlor Suddenly Tom
gave start of surprise.
s'Do you see that tall, elderly gentle,
man 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 recog-
Il L. in fn 70,
| leisurely made his way toward him.
After pleasant greeting, he turned to
| Nell, who had stepped back Il little.
Tom drew her toward him.
'sThis is my wife, Mr.. Lyon" he
said with evident pride.
The man of wealth and station bow
ed with old-time grace to the modest
little woman.
81 am glad to meet you BOTH" he
said. II suppose you came out from
the city this evening"
"Oh, no, we are living here in the
village. Then, as Mr.. Lyon seemed
| interested, Tom added, Il have rented
the Warner cottage, over the hill"
"A pleasant place, but quite long
walk for you. l should think you
would have chosen a house nearer the
| station"
1T is notentirely matter of choice,
explained Tom. 1T is the only place
where the rent was within my means,
and, indeed, | enjoy the walk"
'Humph ~ calculated Mr.. Lyon
then with quick sharp glance at the
lady: MRS. Merton, | see that my
wife is disengaged just at this moment,
and 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 would the fellows in the office
saw to that? And what does it mean,
| any way?
He was still pulling over the matter
made her low bow of mock rever-
ence.
"Oh, Tom, what did you think when
Mr. Lyon asked me to go with him
and be introduced to his wife p
"Think / was too dumbfounded to
say or do anything else but stare in
amazement, as | saw him present you
! to his wife with as much courtesy as
| if you were the first lady in the land.
He has always seemed so reserved and
naughty. | had no idea he would
condescend to persons of such low es-
tate as an assistant book-keeper and
his wife, be she ever so fair and
charming | say, Nell, how did you
feel, sailing through the crowd on the
arm of the Grand Mogul himself?''
"Oh, Tom,'' with a little gasp, Il
never once thought of him in that
way. / only remembered he was the