Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-08-26

WI 20 'ihhoS IL "eth, anu one dppllca-
ton will last for several days." con-
Guiding with a quotation from the
wrapper.
"Well, I guess thisll do; if it don't
suit"
"She can try the other. Any time
she comes down I'll be happy to show
her anything I've got" and he deftly
wrapped up the Beautifier, at the sam e
time wondering what was the matter
with Mrs. Hawley that she should be
so unlike herself.
She waited to give no explanation,
however, but slipping the precious
package into the depths of her capa-
cious pocket, Aunt Sheba hurried
homeward. 1t was nearly twelve
o'clock when she reached home, almost
time for the midday meal which Patty
had undertaken to prepare for the first
time herself. The girl was not in the
house when her aunt arrived, so Mrs.
Hawley proceeded at once to her bed
room. What better time could she
have to surprise them? Could any
thing be more opportune? Their posi-
tions We're reversed. Patty was play
ing cook; she would play the lady.
With eager fingers she drew from her
pocket the package, unfastened the
wrapper, disclosing a small round box.
very insignificant looking, but of so
much importance to the woman who
turned it round and round, and read
the directions curiously. They were
very simple-'Apply evenly with
soft cloth"
"I'm glad it amt hard to fix-any
one could do that. Guess I can see
well enough without opening the
blinds and lettin' the flies in" And
soon she was absorbed in her work of
covering the Objectionable skin with
the preparation which, as it dried,
formed coating Of white on the dark
features.
"What q difference it does make, to
be sure!" thought Aunt Sheba, CON
templating the unfamiliar face. 81
wish it didn't look SO strikin', though;
makes me appear sorter ghastly, but [
guess 1 amt used to it. that's all-my
skin is so dreadful dark. Patty's used
to fair-complected people; it won't
look that way to her"
With hands that trembled like ex
element, she changed the dusty dress
for fresh one, fastened her lace col
lar and stepped back to look at her
self. In the seni-darkness of the
room she saw little woman in black,
with softly-wavinS gray hair, and
pair of dark, bright eyes in strange
contrast to the white face. Aunt
Sheba began to feel queer. She hoped
the change in her appearance would
not be so noticeable to the others as it
was to herself, but she frightened as
she thought that the change was GER
tainly in her favor, and, with this
thought in mind, she went
boldly out to find her niece.
"Why, Auntie, when did you get
back? l didn't hear you come in. [ |
must have been out at the well. But
how pale you are" exclaimed the girl,
looking at her aunt through veil of
steam rising from the dish of potatoes
N her hand. Don't you feel well?
That long walk must have been too
much for you. Uncle Eph says it is
such hot day!" and Patty put down
5he potatoes and anxiously approached
her aunt
Aunt Sheba's faint protest that she
was well, was lost in Uncle Eph's
hearty voice exclaiming:
"What have you been doin' to your
self, Sheba? You're the color of the
fence Jobs been whitewashin', and [ |
leclare, [ believe that's Just what
you've been a-doin' -whitewashin'."
ior his keen eyes had caught sight of
5he dividing line between the face and
lhe neck still brown, which Aunt She
pa, In her Ignorance of cosmetics, had
not thought to cover.
well, well, Patty, we are gettin'
gay since you've been here. Thought
was fxin' up considerable, putin on
l necktie every day, but your aunt
beats me" and Uncle Eph went off in
20 peal after peal of laughter in which |
she girl could not but join, until
sound from Aunt Sheba checked them |
ooth-a sob which she vainly tried to
'epress. Her husbands fun, though
we'll meant, was too much for the over
wrought nerves of the poor woman.
All the love and longing, hope and |
lear of the past few months found vent
IN tears, while sobs shook her from
head to foot.
Uncle Eph was not little surprised
md alarmed at this display of emo
ton.
"What is the matter, mother? II
lidn't mean to hurt your feelin's; twas
only my jokin'; you never minded it
before"
Aunt Sheba struggled to speak, but
her words came brokenly. "No
daughter-wanted Patty to care for
lne-so ugly, -
Uncle Eph comprehended in a min
ute. "Poor little mother!" he thought
''And me standin' here maxim fun of
her. l feel as mean as can be. II
guess I won't say anything more now,
Al