Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-01-29

NlSNITt n y$lr ,.,.4.obo, So,
S&NNt y 4 its many soft
~ wrappings.
Its the most beautiful thing I ever
saw, answered. Hattie Gimp, signing,
too, but longingly.
Miss Luella caught the tone, and
proit~&ly turned to her niece.
Haze Edna Gimp" she said
slowly. "next month I'll he iifty-hve
years old Not" she said with dig
nifty, that You need blab that ell
around town. don't see any call for
n woman to tell her age TO everybody,
less she's that poorly she looks older
n she is. But ffty-eve is what
am
She dropped into rocking-chair
and punctuated her remarks with
rapid. upceasing swings.
I'm all those years I amt ever been
90 a real party, and l amt ever had a
party dress. What do YOU think Of
that. Hattie Edna Gimp?"
Hattie's soft little face flushed up 20
her pale golden hair as she said. Il
haven't eithor. Aunt Luella."
"You." and Miss Perkins shifted
contemptuously. "Why you amt but
nineteen years old. How'd you ex-
pect 60 go az that age?"
Most girls, said Hattie timidly,
but surely, II guess, do go before
thar.
"well. exclaimed Miss Perkins,
"why amt yoD beeng"
Hattie looked at Der reproachfully.
- Il
''When 1 was going 70 school mother
had all she could 10 10 keep me there,
let alone dressing me up for parties.
And since she died, why" the girl
choked and went up 70 the elder wom-
an and put her arms around her-''v nv.
IL il had not been for you / guess ]
should have been In the poorhouse,
instead of having a lovely home here
and chance TO study music" And
she patted her aunt's shoulder alice
tionately.
Miss Luella's face soitened, but sh
spoke brusquely.
Pooh You more'n pay for your
keep; you're so handy and comfort
able round the house. 1 declare.
didn't know how lonesome twas be
fore YOU came. But, a. for partie,
and party dresses, there's plent,
chances for Won yet And l CUES,
You won't be ffty-ive before Won ge
one. You've got better start'n Ihad
TIL 1 was thiriy-hve, " she went OF
ruminatingiy, every cent 1 got wen
70 help support a drunkard father
There wasn't any extra left for part,
dresses, 1 tell You. Then, when h,
died, ! had a hard time scrubbins
along, looking after the boys. AnC
by that time, even if Ia had an
money to buy party dresses with,
didn't have any party to so to. Bu
three years ago, when Uncle Ed lef
me this house IN Boston, aud = move,
here and began to take boarders,
thought I'd go around lots.
But" and she sighed q puzzle
sigh, though I've been 10 churc'
regular, and joined the missionary SO
ciety, somehow they don't seem to b
very sociable folks. amt had a sin
gle invitation 10 4 single dressy thing
Most I've been TO is the picnics out /
Riverside IN the summer, and a churc
fair this winter. Cueer-taint tn
WY 0AONAN AAAAlA AQlhS MOAAu Go.
guess I'm glad yoa've gone to On
Boardman's. They seem easier to Se
acquainted with.
However, and her face bright
ened, ''now that our minister's 1nal
ried, and is going to give a receptio
IN his new house, I've got chance I
go to real party. suppose it's sill
for woman of my age, but l declare
I've just ached for a beautiful part
dress, ever since 1 was little chi
like you, and had to refuse one of III
few invitations / ever had"
Her sallow face flushed. as SD
looked somewhat apologetically at tn
lavender silk on the couch
''I'm glad you've got it." said Hat
tie alphabetically, and you'll loo
lovely in it, I'm sure"
But she glanced little doubtfull
at the dress as she spoke. Miss Laell