The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-03-08


dress up good deal?"
well" said Hattie slowly, 81 think
they may"
Il wish. then, I could afford to get
you better gown, child"
You're dear aunt to think of it,"
answered the girl gratefully. "But
you know You can't, and, anyway, /
guess I'm not too proud to wear that
nice brown cashmere.
Miss Perkins face glowed, and she
started impulsively to say something,
but instead only chuckled softly.
The reception at her minister's was
to be on Monday evening. When the
time came for her to dress, she re-
fused all Hatties offers of assistance,
and locked herself into her room alone.
Three-quarters of an hour later, a
handsome woman in black, courtesied
graciously before Hattie, and said So
berly, "How do you like your black
bird aunt?"
"What in the world!' exclaimed her
niece. Then, before Miss Perkins
could answer, "Ohl but how pretty
you look, Aunt Luellal''
Miss Perkins smiled little grimly.
well, concluded an old woman
like mo had better stick to her own
colors. When it came to putting on
that light dud, / couldn't make up nv
mind to it. Made me feel as if I'd
have to be introduced to myself"
"Myl" said Hattie with an unsuspi-
cious hug, lyon don't know how glad
L ami You look ever so much better
in this than in the lavender.
Miss Perkins gave a grunt. To be
sure she did not want Hattie to realize
the sacrifice she was making. Yet she
felt a little indignant at the girls
manner.
Gust as it," she said to herself. cit
was for my good instead of hersl"
Something in the elder woman's
expression made Hattie look at her
keenly.
aunt Luella," she said slowly,
what are you going to do with the Law
ender silk?"
"Ohl that?" replied her aunt
well, as L amt going to wear it, you
nights well have it. 'Twon't take
much altering to fit you first-rate,'
"Aunt Luellal Aunt Luellal ex-
claimed Hattie, with tears in her voice
and eyes. you've just done this for
me; you know you have. And [ won't
let you. When you've wanted party
dress for so long. L guess l can do
without one for a little while. You
shan't do it, you shan't." And she
Rugged her aunt convulsively.
Miss Luella's face beamed affection
ately, but she spoke with asperity.
Hattie Edna Gimp, we amt got to
where you can say shall or 'shan't' to
your aunt. I'm going to wear this
gown tonight, and you're going to
wear the lavender silk tomorrow.
and the less words we have about it.
the better. When 1 was your age, [
took what was given me and was
thankful"
With much dignity, which did not
In the least impose upon her grateful,
fearful niece, Miss Perkins left for
the reception.
Arrived at the minister's house, she
took off her wraps slowly, and looked
with much interest at the rather elab-
orately- dressed women about her. It
was not so easy, when she saw the
many light rich gowns, to feel quite so
happy over her own black silk as she
had pretended.
''rhat lavender" she said to her
self, would have been just the thing.
L do feel countrified in this. Now.
there's Miss Fitzwllliams''-as she
spied one of the few women she knew
that is an elegant green, but 1t
amt bit handsomet than my
lavender. I'd like to have had b er
see it,"
Then with a sigh she called herself
to order. 'Luella Perkins, for
woman of your age, you're wailing
infant. And at the minister's, too.
I'm ashamed of you"
Miss Fitzwilliams and Miss Perkins
went downstairs together, and were
introduced to the minister's wife. She
was lovely, simply dressed young
girl, with a cordial handshake and
that made Miss Luella think
of the fresh summer oreezes that used
to blow about her old country home.
"She amt mite stuck-up," she
said to herself. 81 guess she came
from the country; she is so pleasant"
Miss Perkins was watching hcr from
behind some tall palms rs she decided
this, and lust then the bride turned to
her husband.
Henry, who was that handsome
woman dressed in black who came in
a while ago."
Isn't that rather an inadequate
descriptions laughed her husband.
"Ohl you must know whom mean.
She was with that absurlly dressed
Miss Fitzwilliams Why will woman
of her age put on clothes only fl for
a young girl
'Sh, - whispered her husband.
with some amusement. Yes, know
now. IT was Miss Perkins. I'm glad
you liked her Somehow, she always
reminds me of my mother. I don't
believe she has many friends in the
city, and I'm sure she'd like 10 know
you She has n very rare nature. or /
am much mistaken"
I'm going TO see her tomorrow. "
said his wife, with enthusiasm. "She
has beautiful face, and it is such
relief TO see n woman who hasn't let
the city spoil her. Sometimes. Hen
II 81. l..