The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-08-18
LUCK In A DRESS.

NOW, WHAT Sla We 40 dDuub SUNslfl
Franks wooden wedding? Thecards came
yesterday, said Mrs. Merton to her hus-
band.
ssWhy, what can we do but accept:s''
was the answer in tone OF surprise.
I'VE can Decline : replid the wife hesi-
tatingly.
$40 be sure. but why should wef"
For a reason so purely feminine that I
ion'e suppose it would ever occur to you.
The fact is, / haya nothing suitable to
wear"
sWhy, Nell, the dress you wore to
mothers last week is the handsomest
rhing out. and you look lovely enough in
it TO fill other women with envy
lit is a pretty dress, quite fine enough
for a family gathering, but it Is only a
cashmere, after all. and, don't you see,
Tom. this is a different affair-a regular
partyi l suppose everybody worth know
ing In town viii be there, and it is not a
comfortable sensation to feel yourself the
only shabbily dressed woman IN the room"
you precious little woman, you should
have the richest gown that money could
buy IL / could afford it; but, you know,
dear, you were so foolish as to marry a
poor clerk On a small salary
"Yes, / know" interrupted his wife,
land I wouldn't change HIM for the rich
est king in tho world, but Thought If you
did not care much about going we might
stay at home. can explain afterward to
Frank and Sue"
But you can't explain to others, Nell,
and wouldn't it seem rather strange, for
everybody knows that we are c~ousins?"
LAS we seem likely to make ourselves
conspicuous either by our presence or Il
absence. we may just as well get what en-
joyment we can out of it, SO III send a
note of acceptance
Bravo, little woman, and I venture to
prophesy that, whether in silk attire or
cashmere gown. there will not be another
face there as beautiful and fair as that of
my little wife. Perhaps before another
year she may be able TO outshine them all,
II only
aIf only whats Tom Merton, nave you
gone daft?''
ssWell, no, not exactly. Yon see, dear,
I had not intended to tell you anything
about it until the affair was settled. Ear-
rison, cur head bookkeeper, goes to Paris
the first Of next month, and by his advice
I'yo applied for his position. # l succeed,
it viii moan 81, 900 a year, with a posi-
bility Of still further advancement, but
dom t be too sanguine, as he saw her eyes
kinale. I'm afraid Mr.. Lyon, our senior
partner, doesn't exactly favor me-thiuks
I'm too young for so responsible q posi-
ton, I believe; but there, Nell. / must be
off or miss my train.
Two weeks later Mrs. Merton, in her
soft gray cashmere, with its trimmings Of
lnstrous silk and dainty lace, stood with
her husband in a quiet corner Of her cous-
ms parlqr- Suddenly fora gave a start OF
surprise.
DO you see that tall, elderly gentleman
talking to Frank" he said in a low n
THAT is Mr.. Lyon, tho head Of our hrn-
1 never expected TO see him here.
Meanwhile Mr.. Lyon saw and recog-
nized his clerk and in o few moments
leisurely made his way toward him. After
q pleasant greeting he turned TO Nell
This is my wife, Mr.. Lyon"
The man of wealth and station bowed
with old time grace to b modest little
woman.
81 am glad to meet you both,' he said.
81 suppose you came out from the city
for this EVENING""
stOh, no; we arc living here in the vii
lage." Then, as Mr.. Lyon seemed inter
ested, Tom added, II have rented the
Warner cottage over on tho hill"
"A very pleasant place, but quite a
long way for You. I should think you
would have chosen a house nearer the sta
ton"
1T is not exactly a matter of choice,
explained Tom. 1T is the only place
where the rent Was within my means, and
indeed / rather enjoy the walk.
"Humphl" calculated Mr.. Lyon; then,
with a quick, sharp glance at the LADY,
Mrs. Merton, | sec that my wife Is ais
engaged jest at this moment, andI should
like to Introduce you TO her"
s.WhewF' calculated Tom softly as he
watched his wife move down the Q on
the arm of his employer. What does 10
mean anyway"
Fie was still puzzling over the matter
when she r~ejcined him later on.
"Oh, Tom, what did you think when
Mr.. Lyon asked me to go with him and be
introduced to his wife?
"Oh, Tom, = with a little gasp, 81 only
remembered that he was the man upon
whose decision your success depended.
When he left me with Mrs Lyon, b was
SO sweet and gracious, not o bit conde-
scending. l seemed to have known her
ever SO long. Why, before | knew it / was
ta!ling her all about our little home-the
garden, the chickens and all"
Meanwhile the senior partner said to
his wife, ssWhat do you think of Mrs. Mer-
tonY''
"a bright and sensible little