Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1904-05-27
The PALE BLUE CASHMERE GOWN

ing 1t sweetly and uncomplainingly. 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 arch
ly 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
we need, and they will supply us as
far as possible"
Yes" she called, little sarcas-
| tically, 'please tell them | need very
much pale blue cashmere gown"
| and then she smiled at the absurdity
Of such request from a missionary's
wife. Imagine the CONSERVATION that
would create" she thought, 'if he
really would ask for such thing"
She replaced the miniature with
sigh. Was It crime to love pretty
things? And would she ever have
any again2 Her trousseau was long
ago exhausted, and now she lived and
moved and had her being In black
things and brown things, and all
things that wouldn't show dirt. Oh,
dear! but-blessed afterthoughtl--
wouldn't she rather be the wife of
John Lawrence, in black brilliantines
and brown surges, than anybody else
In the world?
The president of st. Mary's Auxil-
iary was rapping loudly for order. She
was reading letter saying that the
Rev. John Lawrence would be deeply
grateful for a suit an overcOat, etc.
1t was when she came to the overcoat
that the confusion arose; for one lady
had practically new oyercoat which
her present coachman, being stout,
could not wear 1t was exactly the
Rev. Mr. Lawrences size, but, being
a surtout, she questioned whether 1t
would be the correct thing for clerical
wear, The entire auxiliary set itself
TO argue this point, when the president
stopped them.
Ladies', we can discuss this matter
! later. Let me finish reading this let
ter. Where was l? Sheets. pillow
cases, table linen. and'-what Is this
IA pale blue cashmere gownv"
A pale blue cashmere gown. Had
she asked for an automobile coat the
request could not have produced more
surprise. There was deep silence
Even the president found nothing to
say for some time.
"A little unusual" she finally said
We'll, l never had pale blue cash
mere gown In my life" gasped some
| one.
Pale blue. SO perishable another
said, feebly.
And cashmere. SO out of stylep'
| third added
she must be some poor little coun-
| try SOUL" the secretary said
We'll, whoever she Is, she ought to
be reprimanded The idea of such
worldliness in mlssionary's wife,
He should have known better than
to have asked for it.''
THE idea of our money going for a
| pale blue cashmere gown
So the comments went around. till
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 se-
| we're, when bombshell fell IN their
| midst:
why shouldn't she have a pale blue
| cashmere gown? She is probably a
| young woman, and maybe has not a
single pretty thing! oh, graciousw
and the speaker grew SO energetic that
she arose and stood facing them, her
face rosy with excitement. Il have
helped with box after box In this So
clety, and never have | seen really
pretty thing go into one Of them They
are so deadly practical. How 1t will
wear, how 1t will wash, whether 1t 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 earn
estly. where they get the grace 10 sus-