Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-07-07
The Pale Blue
Cashmere Gown
By SARAH S. RArT

lDEv. JOHN LAWRENCE sat at hi
IN study table. leaning on his elbow
Els usually busy pen held idly between
his fingers. He gazed far over the plains
q trancelike expression in his thought
full eyes; he believed that the time wa
coming when those plains would be peo
pied and, with the hopefulness which
made his missionary life beautiful. b
seemed to see the church leading, In
spring and ministering to these PEG
pie. Already he had visions Of schoo
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 q de-
licious voice calling TO him:
II am % inches around the waist,
John, and my skirt length is 4S. You
know you asked me yesterday"
Sure enough" he answered. with q
little start, taking up the tapeline which
lay conspicuously on his desk. II must
get that letter of to-day; but I'd bet
ter measure you myself. You probably
measured with q string, That's the
feminine way, believe"
His wife came in, feather duster In
hand. and as he drew the line about her
waist, he dropped kiss upon her fore
head.
81 hope they will send you something
pretty"
Mrs. Lawrence burst into laughter.
'The idea Of anything pretty in mis-
sicnary 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
dressing jacket with the
black fringe?"
Wasn't that pretty?" he queried. IT
always thought It was very elegant, e1-
.ept when the fringe dipped in the eof-
'ee."
"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"
1T she Is Christian! Yes, admit It,"
he said, gently; "all of Gods creatures
ire beautiful to me, and one of them
most beautiful" and again he gave her
loving caress and resumed his work.
Sheets and pillow cases, street suit
or my wife, clerical suit for self, over
oat-I hate to ask for that, but 1t is a
ecessity In this bleak land"
He read once again the friendly letter,
n which he had been urged to make
,nown all his needs, assuring him that
hey would be supplied, SO far as posi-
lie, by q branch of the Women's aux
liary.
In the meantime Mrs. Lawrence was
listing the sitting-room, and she had
ONE to . standstill before little ivory
miniature of herself, the price of which
Tould almost have paid for everything
q their modest home. It was made ten
ears before, when she had Just finished
chool and was archly charming in that
ainty gown. How becoming 1t was,
nd how much he had admired her in 1t!
Alice, is there anything else you
ant? We are to mention everything |
re need, and they will supply US as far
8 possible"
Eyes," she called, a little sarcastically, |
please tell them l need very much a
ale blue cashmere gown" and then
le smiled at the absurdity Of such re-
uest from missionary's wife. "1mag-
le the CONSERVATION that would Gre
.e," she thought, III he really would |
TX for such q thing!"
She replaced the miniature with sigh.
'as 1t g crime to love pretty things?
nd would she ever have any again?
er trousseau was long ago exhausted,
Id now she lived and moved and had
n being in black things and brown
Iings, and all things that wouldn't show
rt. Oh, dear, but-blessed after
Ioughti-wouldn't she rather be the
LIE Of John Lawrence, in black bril-
antines and brown surges, than any.
,dy else In the world?
The president Of st. Mary's auxiliary
rs rapping loudly for order. She was
aiding . letter saying that Rev. John
awrence would be deeply grateful for
suit an overcoat. etc. 1t was when
70 came to the overcoat that the con-
sion arose; for one lady had q prac-
sally new overcoat which her present
being stout, could not wear.
was exactly Rev. Lawrenee's size, but,
ing q surtout, she questioned whether
would be the correct thing for clerical
ar. The entire auxiliary Get itself to |
que this point when the president
,pped them.
Ladies, we can discuss this natter
Ter. Let me finish reading this letter.
Where was II Sheets, pillow cases.
bic linen, and'-whst II thisi "A pale
le cashmere gowni'" II
A pale bluh cashmere gOwni Had abe