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

NTMA NMN, Just taken from
HN S'N y its many soft
wrappings
TITS the most beautiful thing / ever
saw, answered Hattie Gimp, signing,
too, but longingly.
Miss Luella caught the tone, and
promptly turned to her niece.
"Hattie Edna Gimp" she said
slowly, "next month I'll be fifty five
years old. Not" she said with dig
nifty, chat you need blab that all
around town. don't see any call for
a woman to tell her age to everybody.
less she's that poorly she looks older
n she is. But fifty-Gve is what [
am"
She dropped into a rocking chair
and punctuated her remarks with
rapid, unceasing swings.
In all those years / amt ever been
to real party, and amt ever had a
party dress. What do you think of
that, Hattie Edna Gimp?''
Hattie's soft little face flushed np to
her pale golden hair as she said, 81
haven't either, Aunt Luella"
Your and Miss Perkins shifted
contemptuously. "Why you amt but
nineteen years old How'd you ex-
pect to go at that age?"
Most girls, said Hattie timidly.
but surely, 81 guess, do go before
them
well, exclaimed Miss Perkins.
why amt you been?"
Hattie looked at Der reproachfnllv.
You know she said slowly.
when L was going to school mother
had al! she could do to keep me there,
let alone dressing me up for parties,
And since she died, why" the girl
choked and went up to the elder WON
an andput her arms around her-"why.
II 1t had not been for you I guess I
should have been in the poorhouse.
instead of having lovely home here
and chance to study music" And
she patted her auut's shoulder a(fec-
tionately
Miss Luella's face soGtened. but she
spoke brusquely.
POOH You more'n pay for your
Keep; you're so handy and comfort
able round the house j declare. I
didn't know how lonesome twas be-
fore you came. But, az for parties
and party dresses, there's plenty
chances for You yet. And / guess
you won't be fifty five before yon get
one. You've got better start'n Ihad.
Till | was thirty five, she went on
ruminatingly, every cent L got went
to help support a drunkard father.
Ihere wasn't any extra left for party
dresses, L tell you. Then, when he
died, had hard time scrubbino
along, looking after the BOYS. And
by that time, even if I'd had anv
money to buy party dresses with. /
didn't have any party to go to. But
three years ago, when Uncle Ed left
me this house in Boston, and 1 moved
here aud began to take boarders. I
thought I'd go around lots.
But, and she sighed a puzzled
Sigh, though I've been to church
regular, and joined the missionary So
ciety, somehow they don't seem to he
very sociable folks. | amt had sin
gle invitation to a single dressy thing.
Most I've been to is the picnics out to
riverside IN the summer, and church
FAIR this winter. Queer-'taint the
way | should think folks would do.
guess I'm glad you've gone to DIR.
Boardman's They seem easier TO pet
acquainted with.
However" and her face bright.
ened, now that our minister's mar
ried, and is going to give reception
II his new house, I've got chance to
go to a real party I suppose it's silly
Tor n woman Of my age, but / declare
We Just ached for a beautiful party
dress, ever since ] was little chit
ike you, and had TO refuse one of the
few invitations + ever had"
Her salow face flushed. ne sbo
looked somewhat apologetically at the
lavender silk on the couch
I'm glad you've got it, " said Hat
tie sympathetically and you'll look
lovely in IL, I'm sure
But she glanced little doubtfnllv
ut the dress as she spoke. Miss Luella
was not old, Of course, but the new
SIX seemed aygressivoly youthful As
her aunt held the waist against her
face, Hattie's clear eyes suddenly saw
that the rosy lavender made the snllow
face look a sickly green, aud the deli
cate fluffy trimmings only emphasized
the wrinkles aud the gray hair.
But Miss Luella only saw that the
soft, shining tuff was her very dream
OF party dress, and IL never occurred
TO her that it could be unbeconipe,
SO, though Hattie was much troubled
she said nothing to mar her aunts
pleasure.