The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-11-11
Lavender Gingham.
By ELIZABETH MoCRACHEN.

Jeannette was in hurry, but she
fingered at the gingham counter. She
ignored the probability that she would
be half an hour late for luncheon, TO
which her Aunt Maria, who could not
tolerate tardiness, was invited. She
even forgot that she had meant not
10 be late, so absorbed was she in a
quaint little country girl and quaint
old man, presumably ner grandfather,
who stood also at the gingham coun-
ter. earnestly and carefully selecting
two dresses for the little girl.
Jeanette could not help hearing
their serious discussion as to the pret-
test colors and patterns. In fact she
fingered because she did hear, and be-
cause she was very much concerned
lest the little girl should choose an al
Turing lavender and white check, which
both she and her grandfather evident
ly regarded with deep admiration.
would fade
Jeanette had, almost TO fault, q
keen personal interest in the smallest
detail of the welfare Of other persons.
Her Aunt Maria described 1t as "a
fondness for putting her fingers into
other peoples pics" Her brother Fred
said as graphically that Jeanette
liked to put in her oar" and even her
loyal and cherished mother said that
her daughter had a delightful and
sweet, If sometimes just little over
Jealous, habit of offering advice.
Certain 1t is that Jeanette stopped
strange children on the street and ad-
vised them to button their jackets, lest
they take cold, or pointed out to them
the superiority of peppermint drops
over chocolate creams. And she gave
her little sister Elsie so much advice
as to the spending of her weekly al
iowance that the poor child usually
ended by not spending 1t at all. AS
Jeanette caid, this really was good for
Elsie-it taught her at one and the
same time economy and the value OF
knowing her mind. Jeanette knew
her own mind so well that she never
listened to those hints of her family
about pies and oars, although she did
listen to, and sometimes remembered,
her mothers occasional warning.
She remembered it now, but she was
none the less agitated. The little girl
and the old man were lingering the
lavender gingham. Jeanette was
more and more certain that it would
fade.
"That lilac piece is real pretty, Ser
eny," said the old man approvingly.
"Yes, grandpa" said the small girl,
at is, and love that color; it's just
like violets"
1T will fade" said Jeanette to her
self. 81 know 1t will fade!"
"That pink and white stripes real
pretty, too. deary," said the old man.
"Seein as you're going to have two,
why don't you get that for one? Your
ma used to wear them pink and white
stripes when she was your size"
did she, really?" said the little girl.
"Then l will; it is real pretty. I'll
take five yards of this pink and white
stripe" she said, shyly, turning to the
clerk, "and think I'll take some of
this Lavender aud white check, too;
wouldn't you. erandpa?"
'T think would, deary," said the old
man; Its real pretty"
Tois Was too .nuch for Jeanette.
She touched the little girl lightly on
the shoulder 81 think that lavender
will fade" she said in low tone.
The little girl looked up In surprise.
She stared at Jeanette for a moment;
then she said, gravely. DO you think
1t willT
The selection of the two new dresses
was serious and weighty matter to
her. That charming girl should see
this did not seem at all remarkable TO
the little girl. or, apparently, to her
grandfather.
do you think 1t will, miss?" the
old man said, anxiously, TO Jeanette.
YES" said Jeanette, 81 am almost
certain 1t will. Lavender is my fav-
orite color, and every summer | have
q lavender gingham shirt-waist, and
every summer 1t fades the first time it
Is washed"
"How DREADFUL" said the little girl,
In sympathetic tones 1--WE always
wanted lavender dress, and I've nev-
er had one" she added, wistfully.
'Does 1t always fade?"
well, don't suppose 1t always
does" said Jeanette, but all the Law
ender gingham shirtwaists I've had
did. Why don't you get blue? That
won't fade. My little sister always has
biue-and pink. too. My mother says
there's nothing nicer for little girl"
she continued. comfortingSy.
The little girls face frightened, and
the old man regained his cheerfulness.
"Just hear that, Sereny! Now | re-
member your ma used to wear blue at
your age; and grandma, she'll like 1t,
deary." ntqtt1 n.
"Grandma said could get what
liked," Serena explained to Jeanette.
~Grandma says I'm big enough now to
5shoose my own dresses" she proudly
added