Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-06
THE WORKINGS OF A
NEW ENGLAND CONSCIENCE,

thinking, and just now she was per-
picked.
1t was a question of conscience,
New England conscience at that, more
over it began with a capital G.
rive got it in the house, and might
as well make it up she unused.
''It'' was dress, silk dress, relic
of days gone. by.
Its been lying there all these
years." she went on, "and 1t seems real
kind of sinful packed away there and
not doing a soul mite OF good 1t
amt right to have things put away
where moth and rust can corrupt.
she quoted TINS Bible authority with
satisfaction.
And twill look awful handsome
made up. I guess 'twould be becom-
ing, too
She blushed guiltily as il the thought
were too vain for contemplation.
And it would save me buying too"
she added hastily. MY old alpaca
isn't very good. I've turned and wash
ed it till it really amt decent, and
1 'twould cost considerable to buy a new
one f1And this dress all right IN the
e1Ise and costing nothing.
u S pose IolAS woula think l was
TERRIBLE extrayagant, but then, l don't
pcarA, / guess if / give the money I'd
take for new black dress and give it
to the missionary society and wear
the silk instead, nobody can find fault;
but then, / amt Obliged to tell EN-,
anyway.
They don't know how much 1 give
to church purposes, and they couldn't
save nothing even if bought the silk
outright But then, / amt doing
that.
Its really saving. And it's awful
handsome, too" she added in an under
tone.
Miss Hannah surveyed herself in the
small mirror. She readjusted the light
and then moved it from one side to the
other that she might see the image re-
fiected more clearly. 1t was very
neat little figure that she saw. A some
what wrinkled face yet with a touch
of youth, and pleased light in the
steel blue eyes.
The golden brown silk shimmered
and shone and reflected the rays or
light. Il shall look better than any
one there" she said half aloud.
As well as any one, she corrected.
And | shan't tell any one that it's
an old silk made over. That amt nee
essary. You needn't tell all you know,
aunt Jane used to say, and I'm sure
she was very good woman.
She smiled happily as she gave one
parting glance and turned away.
There was a perceptible stir when
Miss Hannah Davis, closely followed
by her sister-in-law, entered the par
. -son2ge.
Hannah Davis s got a new DRESS"
some one whispered loudly as she
passed through little knot or women
ION the way to the bedroom to lay aside
her wraps.
And it's a silk one, too"
The eyes of the entire assembly were
on her as she emerged from the little
room and sank down into the nearest
empty chair without making the usual
ound of handshaking.
She feels stuck up" one woman
whispered to her neighbor. well, [
pusl@-es s-u ton t make her be-
ter'h4e rest of us"
The speaker reared her head and
spoke across the intervening workers
to Miss Hannah
I'VE were just talking about a sub
scription, Miss Hannah. she said in
very audible tones. It's for the Leav-
tits. You know them. They've had
awful luck lately, and there's lot due
on the mortgage, and we thought if we
could just give them little it would
be real Christianlike."
81 think twould be real nice,' Miss
Hannah assented warmly, "Ill be glad
to give something, though l can't give
much, you know"
Che h1I1Cbpd chp cpoEp All owes
were on her in the most uncomfortable
way. Why did they kind of smile?"
They must know she didn't have
much money Could she afford to give
so cents. she wondered.
AWell, how much will you give?"
he voice came with startling dis
tinctness.
give dollars, say?"
Miss Hannah started visibly. What
were they thinking of? Her hands fell
into her lap They touched the smooth
silk 1t must be the dress.
Its an old" she started to say,
but the words died on her lips.
What did you say?" Her tormenter
leaned forward.
The minister's wife was standing in
/the-esQor, smiling.
| Miss Hannah shut her lips tight.
Yes, you can put me down for five"
] she said, in g metallic voice.
A thrill seemed to pass through the
room. Then some newcomers entered
and eager attention was turned 20
them.
Il hope you realize that you are
properly punished for your sinful
pride, Hannah Davis she said, as she
locked the door CT her little room that
night and hastily took off the offending
dress.
ut was vanity all the time that
made you do it. and you knew it, but
tried to salve your conscience with say
ing it was economy"
She spoke rapidly.
IL you were so terribly anxious
about being economical" seornfulIy,
why didn't you make over that magen-
ia delaine? 'Twouldn't have been half
as becoming, but 'twould have been
just as economical. But you didn't
think of that, did your" A pause
A"And them Won tried m buch 1rOu,