The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-04
Great-Grandma's Wedding Gown

There Is no use In talking. for 1t can't
be done. You can't go to the masquerade
bail unless you are content to wear your
Old party dress. You know cannot at
ford TO buy you another" said Mrs Ross,
deJeetedly. as she rocked back and forth
| in her chair.
She addressed this to her daughter
| Maude. young girl of about 20 yeas of
age. who sat opposite, looking the picture
OF misery.
Nellie Brown, one Of Afaude's intimate
friends, was to give a masquerade ball
which promises to be the most success
fuI AFFAIR OF the season, and Maude was
anxious to attend 1t. Unfortunately her
mothers income was limited, and there
fore Maude could have few party gowns.
Her father had passed away when she
was mere child. and Mrs. Ross had
gratefully accepted her fathers offer TO
keep house for him. and thus had secured
comfortable home for herself and
daughter.
Just at this point in the conversation
Mr.. Reed, Maude's grandfather. entered
the room and asked. in his cheerful voice:
What is the matter here? Why does
our Maude look so disturbed?'
Mr.. Ross explained the situation, with a
sigh.
20. that may be easily remedied." re-
turned Mr.. Reed. "Have you rummaged
in the garrett? Your great-grandmothe
used TO have chests and chests full of all
kinds Of dresses. Your mother was quite
belle in her day. and she always kept
her fine dresses carefully. 50 1 shouldn't
be surprised IL you should find something
there to suit your purpose"
Maude's face Frightened at these words
and she exclaimed. hopefully: "Why.
mamma, II I could find an oldfashioned
gown 1t would be the thing. We will in
vestisate after supper to see what we can
find"
Accordingly. after supper. mother and
daughter went upstairs to the garrett
What musty old placed" cried Maude.
Where shall We begin?"
They commenced to open the various
chests and TO examine the contents with
much curiosity. One chest was smaller
than the others, and on opening it Maude
gave a little shrek and exclaimed: mann
ma, come here! Isn't this a lovely dress?"
The dress was indeed lovely. 1t was
made in the old colonial style. and with
it were pair of dainty white slippers and
a pair of white gloves.
They are just the thing" said Maude,
with a tone Of satisfaction; '1et us take
them downstairs and show them to
grandpa; perhaps he can throw some light
on their owner"
Mr. Reed, on being interviewed, put on
his spectacles and critically examined the
dress.
THAT was your great-grandmother's
wedding gown. ! remember that your
grandmother wore II to an old folks BALI
after We were married. She impersonated
Martha Washington. and she carried out
her part well, 50 every one said.
The eventful evening Of the ball came at
last and Maude was as happy as bird
g
of tree. Her grandfather looked at her
approvingly and declared she was the per-
feet image OF her grandmother, which was
a compliment indeed.
Howard Perry called for Maude. but
as she was already cloaked he did not
have a chance TO see her costume, and,
in spite of all his teasing and coaxing,
she was memorable and wouldn't tell him
anything about it, to his immense dissat-
isfaction.
1t must be stated that Howard's mind
was in an unsettled state. He was in
love with two girls-Neilie Brown, who
was to give the masquerade, and Maude,
both sweet and amiable. as well as pref
ty. Howard thought he liked Maude a
trihe better than he liked Nellie, but he
wasn't quite sure. At any rate, all doubts
would be removed this evening, and his
fate would be decided. for he. had fully
ter no longer.
All through the first part Of the even
ing Maude failed to find Howard. and he
likewise failed to find her. When they
what was their surprise then
to find themselves In each others pres
ence.
1--WE been wondering who Martha
could be-" said Howard, ad-
miringly; ''how stupid of me not to have
known"
Nobody could deny that Maude Ross
was surprisingly lovely in her old-fash-
toned costume, and that she far excelled
her friend Nellie, although the latter was
the recipient of a great deal
of admiration.
Doesn't Nellie look charming" whis-
pered Maude to Howard later in the even
ing, as she caught a glimpse Of Nelie's
graceful form fitting here and there in
the gay crowd.
"Yes," answered Howard, but not half
so charming as yourself"
These words brought flush to Maude's
cheek, which made her look lovelier than
ever, so Howard thought.
Let US go into the conservatory" he
suggested. few minutes later. and Maude
assented.
After about a half hour had elapsed
they re-entered the drawing-room. and
IL you had noticed their happy faces YOU
would have known in which direction
Towards fate had turned. And all on
account of great-grandmother' wedding
gown, for that certainly decided the ques-
tion.-Boston Post.