The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-03-22

AS Storer entered his own house he
met his mother-in- law on her way out
Of it,
Mrs. Justis was tall, gorgoously
dressed woman of imperious manners
and lavish speech.
"How late you arel 1 have been
waiting to SEQ you about Miss Evans
wedding. l want Sallie to 20, and she
will have to mako up her mind now. 1
have had to hunt up another dress
maker, anC perhaps she could take a
dress for Sallie, Lacy is simply over
powered with work, and if Sallio waits
another day she'll get nothing done in
time"
Storer glanced at his wife, who was
watching her mother with suppressed
merriment in her pretty features.
What do you say, Sallie-to go or
not to go?"
II don't caro- o button about going.
1t will be q perfect crush"-
"And you'll DO tired out standing, 1"
said Storer.
Yes, and my back has just forgotten
tho reception last week"-
"Oh, have no patience with such a
couple! What is tho use Of having
everything and being so Indifferent to
society"
Hang society,"" said Storer. picking
up his child, boy in skirts, and tossing
him toward tho ceiling. "We did our
duty to it. We have something better to
think about now.'
'There are lots Of people to crowd
about Miss Evans, mother. She'll never
miss Jack and me, and need all the
vitality l possess for my own use"
"You can represent the whole fam
ily,' said Storer, with side glance at
his wife that made her eyes twinkle.
"Oh, I'm dreadfully disappointed! l
wanted Sallie to wear yellow and put
on all her diamonds.
Mother, my things wouldn't be no.
ticed in that gathering. I'm sorry to re-
fuse you, but you know people only 20
into society SO as to get comfortably out
Of it, and when Jack and were mar
rled we agreed that we had no more
time to waste upon it..
We'll enjoy your account Of the
affair, said Storer as he followed Mrs.
Justis and put her in her carriage.
Mrs. Justis was very particular con-
corning the fit Of her gowns, and new
dressmaker suggested fresh triumphs
i'll that direction. A talent for devising
striking effects was one Of her gifts.
Her chief difficulty lay in getting her
dressmaker to accept her designs and
develop them without changing or mod
flying them.
AS her daughter had decided to de-
cline the opportunity for displaying her
beauty and belongings Mrs. Justis de-
termined to make her own costume a
thing to be remembered. She haunted
the dressmakers habitation, and one
morning was obliged to wait her turn
in the front room on the second story.
There was nothing in the apartment
that could interest her. Tho scattered
fashion plates irritated her Her own
conception Of dress held her imagina-
tion satisfied.
She sat by the window and glanced
at the opposite houses In one Of them
something unusual was taking place
An express wagon was receiving O new
trunk. and in the window fronting hers
pretty girl in tan colored suit was
watching it's departure.
She was very unusual looking girl,
Mrs. Justis thought; like picture,
with tho sunlight striking golden
shades in her hair. which crowned a
pair Of wonderful eyes. Presently O
carriage drove up and stopped. A man
alighted, ran up the stoop, pulled the
bell, and turning glanced up and down
the street Then the door was opened,
and he entered.
Mrs. Justis grasped the curtain. Her
blood ran cold; she grew numb, horror
strlcken. Surely that was John Storer
Impossible She must be dreaming. 1t
Is wonderful what likenesses exist In
this world. Had she screamed or done
anything silly2 No, nobody came. She
must receiver herself. But the door op-
posite was opening, and out came the
man leading the pretty girl. He had his
hat OFF, speaking to an elderly woman
In the doorway.
Mrs. Justis felt the cold porspiration
on her forehead. She ,atohed the cou-
pie enter the carriage and drive Off.
1t was John Storer. What did 1t all
meanp
She sat motionless, her brain in.
capable Of thought, her pulse audible
Nine. Tilson came in all smiles and
volubility.
$50 sorry, ;but 1t was quite unavoid-
ablel Quite little excitement in tho
street We've been wondering if it's q
wedding. We can't find out q thing
about the girl, for the people in that
house have no servant. But we have
been watching the gentleman for days.
He ts so attentive-there at all hours,
and his name Is Storerl Some bundles
with his card attached were left here il
mistake. He's 80 nice lookingl Dear
me, Mrs. Justis, are you feeling ill2"
YES. My head troubles me- / think
III III have TO come another day. I am not
until you hear from me"
Mrs. Justis reached tho street and
turned homeward, dragging herself
along In o condition bordering on dis
traction. One idea was fixing itself in
her brain Having reached the house,
she ordered the carriage and drove tc
her daughter residence, snowy dwell
Ing on Seyenty-fifth street. Mrs. Storer
was on tho stoop, waving her hand to
little Jack as he turned the corner with
bis nurse She gave her mother bril-
liant smile that suddenly faded as sho
caught tho expression Of the elder wom-
ans features.
"Why, what Is the matter2"
"Come up stairs, Sallie,"
Mrs. Justis shut and locked tho door
OF her daughters room and turned ex-
oitedly on the startled girl.
"Your husband IA a yillainl Get