The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-07-22

mo, she couldn't, FRANK, salo
mother, coming to the rescue. "Don't
let's think any more about it,"
So nothing more was said about
new gowns or academy reunions.
Mother put on an air Of extra cheer
fulness, and Stella did her share OF
the talking. Father and Maude were
quiet. 1t was very unfortunate about
that reunion, thought Maude. If it
had come two weeks later, there would
be nothing in the world to prevent
mother from going. 1t was nice in
father to want her to 60, but he could
not understand how ex remedy impor-
tant new gown for that particular
party was. Neither could he under
stand that there was nothing quite so
obsolete to a high-school junior as a
school graduation gown. To
be sure this gown was made of pretty
white muslin, and the sleeves did very
we'll, for they had been altered last
year. But Maude had Get her heart
on a rosebud organdy for that party,
and she must have it, 1t was with q
determination to hold her own right
eousnessly that she began to clear
away the breakfast things. As she
carried some dishes to the slide she
heard her father and mother talking
in the kitchen.
"How much have you to do on
Stella dre ss?' father was asking.
II have nothing to do but to hem
the skirt and put on two ruffles."
"This is only Friday. Couldn't you
finish that and get ready to go by
Wednesdays
eyes, l could, easily, if it were not
for Maude's Dress" answered mother;
"but l dislike to ask her to give up
the party or wear the old dress. They
are expecting some very nice young
people, and l want Maude to look well
of course"
What dear mother she is, thought
Maude, as she fingered in the china
closet to listen.
81 wish / could say let Jane How
ard come and sew you all up, but ]
can't" said MIR. Sandersen.
"Now, Frank, l don't want you to
think any more about it, spoke up
mother, quickly. "Of course, we cant
afford to hire our sewing done, and
we ought not to while l am strong
and we'll, and know how to do it. You
run right along down town and don't
think reunion again"
"Well, Marion, you know best, per-
haps, but | know if were Maude !
would put my pride in my pocket for
once and let my mother have some fun
in her own way" said Mr.. Sanderson,
with indignation in his voice.
"The white muslin hasn't any pock-
ct, so now," laughed Mrs. Sanderson.
They began to talk house affairs,
and Maude did not stop to hear any
more. She had heard enough, though,
to make her more uncomfortable than
she cared to be. 1t was just like
man to think one gown as good as an
other, so long as it answered the pur-
pose, but mother knew better. 1t
was very lovely Of mother to give up
like that and not be cross or com.
planning about it. Why, the very
thoug ht of giving up the party or the
new gown made Maude feel as if she
were boiling! The reunion would
last a couple of days, and mother
would meet all her old friends. Well,
mother always was sweet about things.
Maude and Stella washed the break
fast dishes together, and then went
upstairs 70 make the beds.
Stella walked over to her mothers
bureau and called Maude. "See," she
said, looking in the glass, "we're al
most the same size. You're only a
mite taller. | believe l could wear
your dress at commencement, and let
mother put IN the time on yours"
"Stella Sanderson!'' exclaimed
Maude, flinging away from the bureau
angrily. "You havn't any more pride
than a-a-mosquito! Wouldn't it be
lovely to have folks say, Stella San
derson wore Maude's old graduating
dress! Why they'd think we were
poor"
"I'd rather BE- poor than pig, any
day. retorted Stella. "You've said
yourself that it isn't anything to be
graduate d from the grammar school.
Then, if it's nothing, why should !
care what | wear!'
ooh, l said that when | was mad, l
guess" returned Maude, looking as
hamed of herself. IL thought it was