Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-07-02
The )espised Pink FroCk.
5ORY OF GRADUATION DAY.
BY CATHERINE JEWETT.

/ ihONOu Oaot, ~ CCuoCu ulbOS6bAcI.
She was never strong or smart or ca
pable, and little by little everyone's s
patience gave way, until even our
home, with its many privations, seemed
a very haven of rest to her. This af-
ternoon Mrs. Mason called and talked
of nothing but the necessary expenses
OF the coming OCCASION She left poor
auntie nearly frantic aad absolutely
determined to throw herself upon the
town. She has felt it her duty ever
since she became so helpless with
rheumatism. Nothing but the fact
that she had rather die than live with
Mary Ann Biggs has kept her with us
for the last year. Poor old soul, she
would have a hard time with that
rough woman in that great barn full
of paupers. We have made ourselves
out perfect Vanderbilts to keep her
quiet; but today she would not be
pacified, and after nearly crying her.
self sick wrote to the selectmen. Be-
fore she sent the letter, however, she
thought of this dress. The idea of it
came as sort of reprieve. If she
provided my graduating dress she
might venture to stay little longer.
If not, she is going at once. You see
why I would like to wear the dress,
and besides few dollars saved is
really an object with US; still, those
dreadful roses-do you think 1 ever,
ever can?"
The roses were dreadful. I almost
doubted Mrs. Kemptons skill in their
behalf, and pitied the girl, shrinking
with all her heart from mortifying
ordeal, but 1 knew there was only one
answer to her question.
'Yes, my DEAR" said I, ST think
you can and will. 1t takes deal OF
pluck to have tooth out, you know,
but the sharp, relieving pain is far
easier to bear than weeks of dull, wear
ing anguish. 1t is going to take real
grit to wear that fowered dress, but
the discomfort of an hour is not to be
compared to the remorse of life
time"
Gust what mother told me-" said
Dolly, bundling up her unwelcome
possession.
did not see the dress again, but I
heard deal about it before the impor-
tant day arrived. WANTED to explain
matters, but Dolly positively forbade
anything OF the kind, and so her flow
cred gown was regarded by some as n
necessary concession to poverty, by
others as sign of open insubordina.
tion against the white dress rule.
Graduation day dawned bright and
clear. The church was crowded. The
expected governor arrived in excellent
season, bringing with him visiting
senator. and everything seemed har-
monious with the exception of one
rosy-looking dress among half-do
white ones.
The exercises passed off with what
might be termed ''great eclat." The
young ladies were graceful and win
ming, their parts we'll prepared,
their enunciation clear and distinct,
The young gentlemen were less awk-
ward than usual under such circum.
stances. The pink dress was so mod
ernized that it could not be called con-
spicuous; still saw the consciousness
OF its vivid roses stamped ON the
flushed cheeks of its wearer when she
stepped forward to read her essay.
1t was q very unambtious effort,
simply prose version of the story of
Evangeline. Yet saw with surprise
that Senator Borden, scholar as
well as politician, gave the short read
ing the most profound and marked at
tention.
After the exercises the eminent visi-
tors held an informal reception, shak-
ing hands with everyone, and good
naturedly giving their autographs to
all petitioners. Dolly, however, took
no part in this bit of impromptu fes-
tivity, but, anxious to divest herself
OF her obnoxious fnery, hurried at
once from the church.
When the crowd had nearly dis
persed Senator Borden surprised me
by asking, with an expression of real
interest, for the young lady in pink.
l told him her name and volunteered
the information that she had gone di-
rectly home.
81 am sorry" said he. "I wanted
to meet her. Her face, her voice, her
gestures, all seemed wonderfully fami.
liar. l cannot place the resem blance,
but it moved me strangely. Her
name tells me nothing, and yet her
face, her dress, some trick of voice or
manner, took me back half a century.
Ali" with a sudden start. 81 have it
now; it was my sister she recalled.
She wore just such rosy gown the
last time | ever saw her. Poor Marty
Pardon me, Miss Deacon, but do you
know anything of her family history?
The resemblance may be purely acci-
dental, but it interests me"
Something of his interest had CON-
municated itself to me with his volun-
tary exclamation Of "Poor Martyl"
the girl who wore just such a rosy
gown the last time he ever saw her.
''Mr. Borden" said I, eagerly,
''might it not have been the notice
able dress, instead OF the girls pew
sonality, that impressed you? Torty
years ago it belonged to Martha Paget;