The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-08-29
OUR BOYS AND GIRLS

aD1 that It would suit you to perfection
But II you don't want II. It will do for
fAllle. must say think you are
foolish"
'I1l think Il over" said Matte dubious
ly. ste carried the challIe or to her
room ard hung over It lovingly.
Il might as well take IT," she mused.
Annie has acted s. hateful way all
his spring. Il would teach her a lesson.
And eve1 II did not take #. that would
not do her any good now But / will see
how she acts tomorrow a.d decide ac-
, coriingiy."
Annie did not act very well on the NOR
row. judged from Mautie's standpoint.
She was lettering along the school road
when Matte breathlessly caught up with
her.
Walt. A1nie" painted he latter. I've
something to tell you"
Il guess know what It Is." flashed
back Annie scornfully. II hope you're
happy now. Matte Brooke, and / wish
you Joy OF that violet challie, I'm sure.
You need not have thought / wanted It
80 badly that you had TO race straight
up to Dickey's for 1t. You are perfectly
welcome to It. for all care"
"Aanle. how can you talk so?" zald
Matte. reproachfully. Her gentle blue
eyes filled With tears. You surely don't
think that I'd be so mean. l did not
know a thing about 1t till mother"
We need not discuss q any longer" in
terrupted Annie. I'm sure don't want
70 quarrel with you over dress am
going to get the pink muslin. suppose
you won't hurry of and get that. too"
After that Ma5,ie thought herself quite
justified n keeping the violet chaIlie; and
the very next afternooa she took Il 20
Miss Casgraln. the Red Rapids dress
maker
Miss Casgrain lived in little hoIse at
the corner" the front room Of which
she called her shop" There she sewed,
aad interviewed her customers. Back OF
T. we're her living rooms. She was a
CHEEKY. pleasant faced woman, with brisk.
energetic ways. and she took personal
interest in the costumes Of her girl
/ friends. She went nto raptures of ad-
mira:ion over Mattie's violet chailie.
/ It's the handsomest piece of goods
that has come into my shop this year
It will look beautiful made up. Annie
Grove brought pink-dotsed muslin here
today. but it is not as pretty as this.
You two girls have given up dressing
alike. haven't you?"
Pretty much" said Matte. I got a
little tired OF giving in to Annie in every
tnt-g. She always wanted what suited
her. SO mother got this"
Annie AID Matte happened to go for
their dresses OH the same day. They
greeted each other coldly. and sat doyr
as far apart as they conveniently could
Miss Casgra.n shook out the crisp folds
OF Aclie's pink muslin.
It's a pretty dress" she said; ''auC
1, will Just suit your complexion. Annie
But I'm free to say this dress of Mattie'i
surpasses anything I've turned out this
year"
And with the best intentions IN tbs
world. Miss Casgrain held up the dainty
lace-rufIled gown before the exultant eye
OF Matte Brooke and the envious cne'
Of Annie Grove.
It's very pretty" said Annie with De
llberate malice. only l should :hinl
that shade Of violet would make your
eyes look fadey. Matte. l think you'll
have a great deal of satisfaction in wear
ing that dress-aftcr the way you came
to get it,"
Miss Casgrain laid 1t on the table Gnd
turrted br.skly TO Matte. II promised tC
send your mother up those new sleeve
patterns. Just step into the sittingroom
and help me sort them out please"
Anne fingered intending to wait fol
Matte. for she was sorry for her unkind
behavior But just then her brochel
passed in the carriage and Annie caught
up her parcel and ran out to get drive
home.
Matte and Miss Casgrain were Longer
in finding the patterns than they ha(
expected TO be, and when they returned
the shop was empty.
Why, has A-nt>-" began Miss Cas-
gram. but she was interrupted by a littl'
shrek from Matte.
"Oh. Miss Casgrain! My dress"
There lay the violet challle on the tabl'
where Miss Casgrain had placed it. ans
on It lay an overturned ink-bOttle, from
which black stream was slowly pouring
over the front breadth of the dress.
For mercy's sake!" said Miss Cas-
grain blankly, as Matte snatched up tn
gown in fearful dismay. "Oh, Matte
how could this have happened? Tha
bottle was away up on that shelf. 1t di
not fall down OF its own accord"
Il know who did it," said Matte slowl
AID vindictively; 'it was Annie Grove
and she id it on purpose, too"
oh my dear, don't say that If sh
did 1t at all, it must have been an acci
, dent"
1T wasn't" said Matte passionately
she has been angry at me ever sine
I GOT II aln1 She has done this out O
pure spite. She wanted the dress her