The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-04-25
In a few minutes The blue dress went

| tutu Oy u AlOIN 5OhNA NSANAf
cheeks, too, looked whittier than before
The little woman saw her reflection
In the tall mirror opposite. aud signed.
You were quite right" she said
slowly: IA darker color would have
been best. and yet-somehoW
couldn't give 1t up, I've thought about
It so much all these years. Why. often
when the work was hardest aud the
days longest. I've said to myself,
Never mind Charlotte. some OF these
days you're going TO have a 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 II one morn
ing. in II wagon driven by tall broad
shOuldered mas. with rugged. wealth
er-beHten 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. and the dress oh.
isn't II beautiful
The blue gown lay. across a chair.
Madam jackson had done well with
II. II was finished on with silk Of the
same shade. aud there was a pretty
lace collar and soft. nne ruriies Of lace
at the wrists.
You must let me see you in Il be
fore you GO" Madam Jackson said.
As the dress was being fastened. =
faint color stole into the woman's
white cheeks.
Isn't II prettyt" she whispered.
wonderlngly The very prettlest thing
! ever had IL seems. wrong for inc
to have II now Somebody young and
beautiful ought to wear IL. II only
could have had II years ago
Madam Jackson'a dert rngerA were
busy with the brown haIr touched With
silver. combed 20 severely back
You must not wear your hair quite
so plain" she said "A looser eject
sotteas the face wonderfully There.
that IL better"
She Strengthened the lace At tho
throat and settled the skirt. Wait
moment" she added. stepping into the
next room. When she returned she
held a dainty lace trimmrd handkrr
chief. rue as SPIDERS web She
tucked Il 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 ,wsp,
beautiful hush
is that Tor me p she said IN auaw~
struck voice. oh. thank you. thank .
YOU
There was 80 much radiance In the
look that Madam jackson waa startled
and then a wonderful thing happened
For the moment Il seemed a. II the
years had rolled back. aud the worn
face shone With lts lost beauty aaI lts
lost youth
The eyes were very bright, tender
smile lowered over the trrmuious
mouth. and Madam Jackson saw what
the woman must have b@su tonK ago
before the hard years had robbed her
Of her bloom
II Wish John could see me" IN. m.
tie woman whispered
As II In answer 10 her wish thee,
came a knock at the door Madam
Jackson OPENED It quickly
Come in, won't your she said
pleasantly, Your wife q, anrIou. 10
have you see her in her new drr.s."
The man entered when tho blus.
Eowned, radiant vision faced him. he
started. Why G.ottls,' he said. why
my dear. IL II really your"
DO you like It. john" she said
Like H. Why. you look Just as you
did when We were married only. some
how. sweeter aud dearsr." and then.
regardless Of Madam Jackson In the
background, he took the small woman |
In hts arms and kissed her on her glow |
ing checks
A few minutes later Madam Jackson |
stood at the window and watched thes, |
drive away, with the blue dress care
fully wrapped up. The flush stiIl lin.
sered on the little woman'a face as
she waved 4 last good-by
Madam Jackson waved back. Nh.
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 a,
least to look at IN the bare old farm.
house
A the rattlIng wagon disappearsd
Madam jackson turned away from the
window with a smile that was baf .
sigh.
That blue dress-lt was A succ...
after all" she murmured. Youth. I
Companion.
|
Japanese Customs.
A writer. describing scenes on JaD..