The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-22
G THE DRESSMAKER.
sshe is beautiful. -


eyes never saw before in my life But
you have not yet told me who she Ia.
well, then, most fastidious of baohe-
lors, know that the paragon you just met
was none other than Adele Graham, my
dressmaker"
adele Graham repeated Clarence
Hops thonghtfully. 81 have heard that
name before surely" he. added. "She is
not the daughter of John Graham, who
when visited Clinton years ago, was a
wealthy bankerS''
"The same. Then Adele was a mere
child. When she was 16, her father became
a bankrupt and soon after died Mrs
Graham struggled along for some time,
and SO Adele went to the city and learned
the dressmaker's trade and returned here
about year ago and opened an establish
ment of her own. OF course all her old
friends patronize her and treat her kindly,
but you know it would be impossible to
receive her. And thus ends your romance"
Clarence Hope was a bachelor-a tall,
handsome man of about 80. He had just
returned from European tour, and being
decidedly wealthy was considered great
catch.' He had come to Clinton to visit
his mothers only sister. Mrs. May, a
widow, the mother of Nellie May, one of
the prettiest and vainest girls in Clinton.
Nellie was more annoyed than she was
willing to admit to think that her hand
some cousin, of whom she had SO often
spoken in terms of the highest common
dation to the members of g her set, - should
be attracted by poor Adele Graham, the
dressmaker.
Clarence paced up and down the porch
for half an hour or more, putting away on
his cigar.
Clarence, come here called Nellie
from the library.
Clarence threw away his cigar and en-
tered the library. Nellie sat before her
writing table, holding in her hand a bit of
paper, on which was written long list of
names.
There, now, have completed the list,
and want you to write me the Invitations
for my party
''Read me the list
Nellie read over the names of 80 of her
"dear friends -
81 did not hear the name of Adele Ora
ham. Do you not intend to invite her?''
by no means What would Hattie Ar
mold and Julia Gill say to see Adele Ora
ham, our dressmaker, at party of mine?
Indeed this idea is too ridiculous for any
thing
Every we'll, just as you please, but if
the daughter of my old friend, John Ora
ham, is not invited I must also decline the
honor of being present
Nellie bit her lip with vexation. 1t
would never do to fail of having Cousin
Clarence present, for she was giving the
party solely to introduce him to the society
of Clinton and yet how in the world could
she ever brook the modification of having
Adele Graham, the seamstress, theref She
knew there would be no use in arguing the
matter with her cousin. He was deter
mined and would not give up, SO she had
to yield.
The evening of the party at lengthar-
rived. Adele was at first reluctant to
come She could not understand why she
was invited to this party after being neg
lected SO many years, but her mother urged
her SO strongly to accept that she brought
out from it's hiding place in the closet her
old white dress and spent several hours in
fitting and doing it up to wear. When she
had put the last touches to her toilet, Mrs.
Graham said:
"You never looked better, Adele"
Nellie May was radiant In a perfect cloud
of rose colorsd tarlatan, and by her side
stood Clarence Hope, to whom she intro
duced her guests she received them.
An hour passed by, and all the invited
guests had arrived. Many a glance of sur
prise was cast upon Adele Graham as she
moved gracefully through the rooms.
Julia Gill, a naughty, imperious beauty,
the daughter of a retired pork merchant,
rushed up to Nellie, exclaiming:
why, Nell, what in the world possessed
you to invite Adele Graham? You know
she is not in society,"
II know it, replied Nellie, blushing,
"bat my cousin insisted upon it because
her father happened to be known to him
years ago."
''I'n put a flea in his ear, said the
naughty beauty, tossing her head with
well affected grace.
Adele Graham, as she hung upon the
arm of Clarence Hope and promenaded
through the spacious parlors, was n pretty
picture of innocence and enjoyment. and
Clarence brought into requisition all his
nd of entertaining conversation. Many
an enYious glance was bestowed upon
Adele and many an unkind .epithet more
than whispered as the evening passed by.
That evening when he babe Adele good
by at her mothers door he said:
miss Graham, am about to claim the
privilege of calling to see you during my
stay in Clinton. Your father was an es-
teemed friend of mine, and his daughter
and widow must be the same
II am sure my mother will he happy to
welcome you,' replied Adele.
1t was some hours before Adele retired,
for she had so much to tell her mother be-
fore she could close her eyes in sleep And
very attentively Mrs. Graham listened to
the recital of the evenings pleasures.
When Clarence returned to his aunt's,
he found Cousin Nellie in fit of the pouts.
whats the matter here?'' he said as be
flung himself into an easy chair.
Matter enough, should think. The
party has been an utter failure. You have
spoiled everything by your exclusive atten-
tions to that dresslnaker. Then all the
girls came out in new dresses and did their
best to attract your attention and draw
from you one approving smile, but you
were blind to every one and everything but
Adele Graham. -
And why note What do care for a set
of chattering fools like Julia Gill and her
followers tell you, Nellie, Adele Ora
ham has more sense than the whole of
them put together.