The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-05-21
The Pale Blue
Cashlrel>eCoWn
by SARAH S. RATT

his usually busy pen held IDLY between
his fingers. He gazed far overthe plains,
q trancelike expression in his thought
full eyes; he believed that the time was
coming when those plains would be peo-
pied and, with the hopefulness which
made his missionary life beautiful, he
seemed to see the church leading, in
spring and ministering to these peo-
pie Already he had visions of school
wherein his own wife would be the rul-
ing spirit; visions of hospital
clubhouse and clubrooms. where these
savages might grow less savage. Even
the fact that thus far only one poor
little wooden church building was to
be found in many miles did not in the
least interfere with his dreams
How long he might have dreamed, no
one knows, but he was recalled by de-
1icious voice calling TO him:
81 am % inches around the waist,
John, and my skirt length is 43. You
know you asked me yesterday"
''Sure enough" he answered, with a
little start, taking up the tapeline which
lay conspicuously on his desk. II must
get that letter off to-day; but I'd bet
ter measure you myself. You probably
measured with string. That's the
feminine way, I believe"
His wife came in, feather buster in
hand. and as he drew the line about her
waist, he dropped a kiss upon her fore
head.
81 hope they will send you something
pretty"
Mrs. Lawrence burst into laughter.
1.-The idea Of anything pretty in mis-
sionary box, John! Who ever heard of
it? It's against the nature of things.
Perhaps it's wicked. but l have some
times thought that they made them as
ugly as possible. Do you remember the
snuff-colored dressing jacket with the
black fringe?"
wasn't that pretty?" he queried. 81
always thought it was very elegant ex-
cept when the fringe dipped in the cof-
fee
you dear dreamer! You don't know
what is pretty. You don't see anything
but your beloved Sunday school and
night classes and sick people. A rheu-
matte old Indian woman is beautiful to
you if"
''If she is Christian! Yes admit it"
he said, gently; "all of Gods creatures
are beautiful to me. and one of them
most beautiful" and again he gave her
a loving caress and resumed his work.
Sheets and pillow cases. street suit
for my wife, clerical suit for self, over
coat hate to ask for that, but it is a
necessity in this bleak land"
He read once again the friendly letter,
in which he had been urged to make
known all his needs, assuring him that
they would be supplied. so far as posi-
bile. by a branch of the Women's aux
Hilary.
These boxes, which had so irked the
pride of many missionary, never Of
Tended John Lawrence. He gave little
thought to self. His Divine Master had
liyed on aims. and his own horizon was
100 rich, too broad, for any petty egotism
To create even a speck upon it, but he
sometimes reflected with regret. his wife
keenly disliked this phase OF missionary
life. He could not forget at times that
he had taken her from luxurious home;
but had he not given her a greater OPP
portunity TO do Gods work. and was she
not doing it sweetly and accomplishing.
1ye He would try to believe that she did
not care.
IN the meantime Mrs Lawrence was
busting the sitting-rOom, and she had
come to standstill before little ivory
miniature of herself, the price of which
would almost have paid for everything
in their modest home. 1t was made ten
years before, when she had just finished
school and was archly charming in that
dainty gown. How becoming it was
and how much he had admired her in it!
'Alice, is there anything else you
want? We are to mention everything
I'VE need. and they will supply us as far
zas possible"
Yes she called. a little sarcastically
~please tell them ! need very much {
pale blue cashmere gown and then
she smiled at the absurdty of such re.
quest from missionary's Wife "Imag.
3ne The CONSERVATION that would ere.
ate" she thought. III he really woult
ask for such thing!"
She replaced the miniature with sigh
Was it a crime to love pretty things
And would she ever have any again
Her trousseau was long ago exhausted
and now she lived and moved and hat
her being in black things and brown
t-hings. and all things that wouldn't SHOW
dlyi- Oh, dear, but-blessed after
dhunght!-wouldn't she rather be tn,
wife of John Lawrence, in black bril-
3iantlnes and brown surges, than any
Body else in the world?
The president of St. Mary's auxiliar,
was rapping loudly for order. She wa,
reading a letter saying that Rev Johl
Lawrence would be deeply grateful TO
a suit, an overcoat, etc. 1t was whe,
she came to the overcoat that the con
fusion arose; for one lady had prac
dically new overcoat which her presen
ecoachman, being stout. could not wear
Eli was exactly Rev. Lawrence's size, but
bs.Eg surtout, she questioned whethe
Tt wpuld be the correct thing for clerica
wear. The entire auxiliary set itself t
argue this point, when the presiden
SsuoEaped them.
Ladies, we can discuss this matte
Eater Let me finish reading this lette,
Where was l? Sheets, pillow cases
table linen, and'-what is this? "A pal