Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-07-07

| 20 nave asked Ior IL!
1.-THE Idea Of our money going for q
pale blue cashmere gown!"
So the comments went around. I'LL
everybody had had her say; some OF
them had had two or three says" and
they were seemingly gasping for breath
TO say something even more severe
when a bombshell fell in their midst:
why shouldn't she have pale blue
cashmere gown! She Is probably q
young woman, and maybe has not q
single pretty thing! Oh. graciousl" and
the speaker grew % energetic that she
arose and stood facing them, her face
rosy with excitement II have helped
with box after box In this society, and
never have seen q really pretty thing
go into one Of them! They are so dead
ly practical. How 1t will wear, how 1t
will wash, whether It will show Dirt
sympathize with this woman away out
there among those Indians, dependent
on US hard-hearted things for the little
she wants. God knows" she added, even
more earnestly, where they get the
grace to sustain them in their work! As
for this gown"-her voice trembled lit
tle-"let US give 1t to her. Cashmere is
cheap, and Just imagine her pleasure;
and DO you know. think pretty gown
would have q cheerful effect on both
herself and her husband. Perhaps II
might even convert q few more Indians!"
She sat down, little embarrassed by
the feeling she had shown. e
I'VE might make her mother hub
bard, II you are so bent on It," some
one said, doubtfully. Made up plainly
1t would not cost much"
But 1t mustn't be q mother hubbard.
I wouldn't doom even . woman living
among the Indians to that! If we send
1t at all, let 1t be pretty. Let us put our
hearts into 1t and make 1t q beautiful
surprise for her. She will probably ex-
pect something ugly. If she expects it ct
ALL"
Il don't know why we should discrim-
mate this way in favor Of Mrs. John
Lawrence. We have never done 1t be-
fore" A severe voice threw a damper
on the proceedings
Mrs. John Lawrence" echoed an
other; pray let me see that letter. Mrs
John Lawrence was an honor student In
my class at college in 1890, and believe
am safe in saying that there is no one
here who could surpass her In either tn
tellect or beauty. remember now that
she married missionary enthusiast and
went out to those wilds cheerfully."
The speaker crossed the room rapidly
and approached the advocate Of the blue
gown.
II will gladly help you with the gown,
and we will make 1t beautiful as
dream"
How quickly the idea became fnfOc-
tioua Everybody offered to do some
thing or to give something. 1t was al-
most as delightful as dressing doll!
St. Mary's auxiliary had turned out
many box, but never had anything
aroused such interest as this new bit Of
work. 1t became q fad; with its silken
Innings, It's dainty frills Of lace, its flag
oting' and exquisite accessories, the
empire gown lay complete.
The auxiliary women who were packing
he box stopped frequently to admire
Ind almost caress It
II hate to see 1t Co." said the secre-
AIRY.
ut has done us more good than any
hing we ever did. What q lovely idea
t was!" the treasurer said. II don't be-
rudge the money at all"
LET me fasten this In" Some one bent
,ver the gown and tackled in o little
achet of violet
"And l must slip this handkerchief
INTO its BOSOM" another deity tucked
n embroidered kerchief into Its folds.
II have written this note to my dear
I'D friend, and have told her what
,leasure this has BEEN" and the note.
90, was pinned to the blue gown. And
o, with little final adjustment, and pats
I admiration, the blue gown, soft and
ustling and enveloped In white tissue
aper, was put into its Individual box,
nd shipped away, with more practical
Kings, to the land Of the Indians and
he plains,
Mrs.. Lawrence came home somewhat
iscouraged from her sewing school one
to find her house In great dis
rider. Everything was covered with
Iothes, It seemed. The box had come,
nd her husband had lost no time in
pening It The street suit for which
he had asked confronted her from the
ookcase; dark, neat and serviceable.
he examined 1t with enthusiasm. THEY
ere 30 good, weren't they, John?"
Good! Ny dear. the auxiliary is al
avs good. Now. don't say anything
bout your brown sack with the black
ings! The auxiliary-well, you know
hat think Of It! Ssel They have
mt us everything. even TO the last
ing on the list-your blue cashmere
,wnl" He handed her the box.
my pale blue cashmere gowni John
awrencei You didn't really writs that,
d you? oh, what must they have
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