The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-02-05
By mary v. Psttsr.

looking at delicate lavender silk dress
which she had inst taken from it's many
soft wrappings.
Its the most beautiful thing ] ever
saw" answered Hattie Gimp, signing
too, but longingly.
Mill Luella caught the tone, and
promptly turned to her niece.
Hattie Edna Gimp" she said, slowly,
"next month I'll be IS years old. Not"
she added, with dignity, that you need
blab that all around town. / don't see
any call for woman 10 tell her age TO
everybody, less she's that poorly she
looks older'n she is. But 50 is what l
am"
She dropped into a rocking chair, and
Punctuated her remarks with rapid, un-
ccasing swings.
I'm all those years, amt ever had a
party dress. What do you think Of that,
Hattie Edna Gimpr
Hattie's soft little face flushed up 10
her pale golden hair as she said: Il
haven't either, Aunt Luella."
"Youl" and Miss Perkins shifted
contemporary. "Why, you amt but
10 years old. How'd you expect to go
at that age?"
Most girls" said Hattie, timdly,
but surely, II guess, do go before then"
"Wclll" exclaimed Miss Perkins,
"why amt you been?"
Hattie looked at her eproachfully.
"You know" she said, slowly.
'When / was going to school, mother
had all she could do to keep me there.
let alone dressing me up for parties.
And since she died, why" the girl
cholSed, and went up to the elder wom-
an and put her arms about her-"why
ii IL had not been for you, guess
should have been in the poorhouse, in
stead OF having lovely home here and
chance to study music And she
patted her aunt's shoulder affection
ptely.
Miss Luellas face softened, but she
spoke brusqueiy:
Pooh! You more'n pay for your
keep; you're so handy and comfortable
around the house declare, ! didn't
know how lonesome twas before you
came But, as for parties and party
dresses, there's plenty chances for you
yet. And / guess you won't be IS be
fore you get one. You've got a better
start'n had.
Till | was 80" she went on rumin-
piingly, every cent got went to help
support drunkard father There
wasn't any extra left for party dresses,
tell you. Then, when he died, had
hard time scrubbing along, looking
after the boys. And by that time, even
IL I'd had any 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 Ia Boston, aud
moved here and began 10 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 society,
somehow they don't seem to be very
sociable folks. / amt had a single in
vitation TO single dressy thing. Most
I've been TO is the picnic out TO River
side in the summer, and a church fair
this winter. Queer-'tant the way /
should think folks would do. guess
I'm glad you've gone to Dr. Boardman's.
They seem easier 10 get acquainted
with
However" and her face frightened,
"now that our minister's married, and
Is going TO give reception In his new
house, I've got a chance 10 go to a real
party. / suppose it's silly for wom-
an Of my age, but / declare, I've Just
ached for a beautiful party dress, ever
since / was a little chit like you, and
had TO refuse one of the few invita-
lions / ever had"
Her sallow face flushed, as she looked
somewhat apologetically at the layen-
der silk on the couch.
I'm glad you've got IT," said Hattie,
sympathetically "and you'll look lovely
in Il, I'm sure"
But she glanced a little doubtfully
at the dress as she spoke. Miss Luella
was not old, of course, but the new silk
seemed aggressively youthful. AS her
aunt held the waist against her face,
Hattie's clear eyes suddenly saw that
the rosy lavender made the saliow face
look a sickly green, and the delicate,
fluffy trimmings only emphasized the
wrinkles and gray hair.
But Miss Luella only saw that the
soft, shining stun was her very dream
of party dress, and it never occurred
TO her that II could be unbecoming. So,
though Hattie was much troubled, she
said nothing TO mar her aunt's pleas
are.
That evening Miss Perkins was sit
ting in her little room Off the parlor,
when Jennie Smith called TO see Hattie.
The two girls took music lessons Of the
same teacher, and next week they were
70 play at a pupils concert.
''What do you think?" Miss Perkins
heard Jennie say, Mr.. lamont has de
cided TO give the concert next Tuesday
evening, instead OF Ia the afternoon,
and it's &c be at Blank halli"
lis it2" asked Hattie. Does that
make any difference to us7"
"Any differenceI" exclaimed Jennie
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