Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-04-06

cheeks, too looked whittier than before.
The little woman saw her reflection
in the tall mirror opposite, and sighed.
you were quite right" she said,
slowly; "a darker color would have
been best. and yet-sOmehow
couldn't give it up. I've thought about
it so much all these years. Why, often
when the work was hardest and the
days longest, I've said to myself,
Never mind, Charlotte, some of these
days you're going to have beautiful
blue Dress, and the hope of 1t some
how kept me up"
II understand" Madam Jackson
said, gently.
In few days the dress was done.
The customer came for it one morn
ing in a wagon driven by a tall, broad
shouldered man, with a rugged, wealth
er-beaten face.
Her husband" thought Madam
Jackson, looking out of the window.
The pale little woman came hurried
ly in. John came with me to-day"
she said. smiling, land the dress-oh,
isn't it beautiful!'
The blue gown lay across chair.
Madam Jackson had done well with
it. 1t was finished off with silk of the
same shade, and there was a pretty
lace collar and soft, fine ruffles of lace
at the wrists.
you must let me see you in it be-
fore you CO." Madam Jackson said.
AS the dress was being fastened, a
faint color stole into the woman's
white cheeks.
Isn't it pretty?" she whispered,
wonderingly. 1.-THE very prettiest thing
ever had! 1t seems wrong for me
to have it now. Somebody young and
beautiful ought to wear it. If only l
could have had it years ago."
Madam Jackson's deft fingers were
busy with the brown hair touched with
silver, cOmbed so severely back.
You must not wear your hair quite
so plain" she said. "A looser effect
softens the face wonderfully. There,
that is better"
She Strengthened the lace at the
throat and settled the skirt "Wait a
moment" she ADDED, stepping into the
next room. When she returned she
held dainty lace-trimmed handker-
chief, fine as a spiders web. She
tucked it into the rough little hand.
"A present from me-" she said, lightly.
when you wear the dress you must
carry that"
Over the thin face there swept a
beautiful flush.
rs that for meY she said, in an awe
struck voice. "Oh, thank you, thank
you.'
There was so much radiance in the
look that Madam Jackson was startled,
and then wonderful thing happened.
For the moment it seemed as If the
years had rolled back, and the worn
face shone with it's lost beauty and it's
lost youth.
The eyes were very bright. a tender
smile lowered over the tremulous
mouth, and Madam Jackson saw what
the woman must have been long ago,
before the hard years had robbed her
of her bloom.
Il wish John could see me-" the lit
tie woman whispered.
AS If in answer to her wish, there
came knock at the door. Madam
Jackson opened it quickly.
Come in, won't you?" she said,
pleasantly. "Your wife is anxious to
in,
The man entered. When the blue
gowned, radiant vision faced him, he
started. "Why, Lottie," he said, why.
my dear, is it really you?'
''Do you like it. John?' she said.
Like it! Why, you look just as you
did when we were married. only. some
how, sweeter and dearer," and then
regardless of Madam jackson in the
background, he took the small woman
in his arms and kissed her on her glow
ing cheeks.
a few minutes later Madam Jackson
stood at the window and watched them
drive away, with the blue dress care
fully wrapped up. The flush still lin
gered on the little woman's face as
she waved a last goodby.
Madam Jackson waved back. She
knew that before long the flush would
fade from her friends cheek, the lines
would come back. the cares return.
The burdens must be taken up again.
There would come, too. the weary
hours and the lonely ones that must
be lived through The blue dress would
be folded away as something sacred
seldom worn, but never forgotten
There would be something beautiful at
least to look at in the bare old farm
house.
AS the rattlng wagon disappeared
Madam Jackson turned away from the
window with.a smile that was half a
sigh.
THAT blue dress-it was success,
after ALL" she murmured.-Youth's
Companion.
Japanese Customs.