The Republican journal., 1901-11-07

gown and scarlet sash.
Helen's preparations for any state
occasion always consisted in carefully
pressing out the ruffies of that one
white gown and shipping the frayed
ends off her one long sash. The sash
had started on its career as pure white
one, then after numerous cleansings
with gasoline it had assumed a deep
cream shade from sturdy application
to the rubbing board.
AT last one day Helen, who was pas
sionately fond of white, dolefully con-
cluded that the sash's days as white
one were over, and dyed it a splendid
scarlet.
Dear old Mrs Haskell, in her best
black silk, greeted the young girls
blithely. Since having Helen's lively
companionship she seemed to have re-
newed her youth.
Around the parlor and sitting room
were arranged six small tables, on each
of which the girls noticed an ink bottle
and pens and generous supply of
paper.
After much merry chattering Helen
stationed the girls at the various tables
placing Betty at the table with herself
Helen had forlorn hope that some
how something might happen that after
noon to bring the sweet Betty that she
had once known back to her.
Sisters of the Pussy Willow Club, :"
said Helen, ''as we all know that people
are more interested in microbes than in
anything else nowadays, l am sure you
will each be pleased to discover which
particular kind of microbe you pos
sess. Write your name on a piece Of
paper, and fold it lengthwise of your
name exactly in the middle. Then rub
the paper hard over the place where
your name is written. Opening the
piece of paper you will see the interest
ing microbe which is your property
Write and fold rapidly, SO that the ink
will not have time to dry
And now great scratching of pens
was heard. Masie ellis was the first
one to hold up her paper. 1t showed
nothing but her name elegantly scrawl-
ed, as usual.
''Now, Helen, where is microbe?'
And mine?' And mine?" cried all
the other girls. 1--WE don't see anything
but our names"
80, you have been too particular about
your writing" said Helen, land let the
ink dry before you folded the paper;
and l do not think you could have used
ink enough. You must have your pen
just as full of ink as possible. Just see
what beautiful microbe | have here"
She held up her paper, on which mar
Vicious creature was plainly depicted.
The girls left the other tables and
came and examined Helens microbe
closely. 1t was a fine, fat, elongated,
beetle-like creature.
Tho Ui1c friurlod 1o11Slu nua, on1
hurried back to their pens and paper,
eager for another trial How the ink
did fly!
Anna Davis quickly held up what ap-
peared to be a frst-rate study of skele-
ton with Gamma Davis" family outlined
down the middle of it. Gertrude Pills
bury then held up figure apparently
intended for nun, as it was composed
entirely of beads.
'Splendid.' cried all the girls. In a
second more Bertha Willis showed a
beautiful creature outlined with forget
me-nots.
80, how wonderful!' was now the
cry.
80, look herer' said Dorothy Good
sell, did you ever see anything SO funny
as miner"
"Dorothy's microbe had tine figure of
giant outlined with tasSelS, and tassels
depended from his long arms
dorothy Goodsellp' cried Helen, II
have made the greatest number of mi
crobes, and 1 never even dreamed of
anything like that. Do you suppose
you can do it again?"
Dorothy loaded her pen with ink and
splashed away. Lo, there was another
taSSeled gentleman'
The girls were now greatly excited
and scrawled untiringly, trying to out
do each other in microbes of bewilder-
ing form. AS rule middle names were
left out, because the ink would persist
in drying so quickly.
Mrs. Haskell, watching the bold dashes
at the ink bottles from the window
where she was sitting knitting, cast
many anxious chances at her pretty red
carpet.
A few moments before the hour for
refreshments Helen distributed to each
girl twelve strips of paper. At the head
OF each strip branch of pussy willows
was delicately painted in water colors
She asked each girl to make her microbe
on all her strips.
When the girls had all made their
microbes Helen handed them punches
of narrow pink ribbon, and the girls
exchanged their strips of paper and tied
their souvenir microbes together, run
ming the ribbon through the hole punch
ed at the top of each strip.
Betty and Helen laughed gayly as
they arranged their strips for tying
Betty had for the time forgotten all
her grievances against Helen.
go, Helenp' she said, "what a lot of
work it must have been to paint all of
those pussy willows. Do you know, 1
never noticed until this afternoon that
your middle initial is the same as mine?
What is your middle name. Helen?'
''My middle name is Pierpont, re-
piled Helen, adding softly, at was my
mothers family name"
80, how stranger said Betty. ''My
middle name is Pierpont, too. my
mothers name was Mary Pierpont."
"Truly?" exclaimed Helen, "My
mothers name was Mary, too"
"My mother also had cousin Mary
Pierpont," continued Betty, strangely
moved to be confidential Mamma
loved her like sister. The poor girl
had very sad history. When was
little girl mamma used to tell me about
all the good times she and her Cousin
Mary used to have together, and
when mamma was sick so
long before she died.
Cousin Mary married musician