The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-05-06
He should have known better thar

lhey were seemingly gasping for breat
to say something even more sever,
when a bombshell fell in their midst:
Why shouldn't she have a pale blu
cashmere gown? She is probably
young woman, and maybe has not
single pretty thing! Oh, gracious!" an
the speaker grew so energetic that sh
arose and stood facing them, her fac
rosy with excitement. Il have helpe
with box after box in this society, an
lever nave seen a really pretty thin
go n one of them! They are SO dead
ly practical. How it will wear, how /
Will wash, whether it will show dirt
sympathiZe with this woman away GU
there among those Indians, dependen
on us h~ard-hearted things for the littl
she wants. God knows" she added, ever
more earnestly, "where they get tn
grace to sustain them in their work! A!
for this gown"-her voice trembled a lit.
tle-'let us give it to her. Cashmere i!
cheap, and just imagine her pleasure;
and do you know, | think a pretty gowr
would have a cheerful effect on bott
herself and her husband. Perhaps il
might even convert a few more Indiansi'
She sat down, a little embarrassed by
the feeling she had shown.
I'VE might make her a mother hub
bard, if you are so bent on it," some
Il said, dOubtfully. made up plainly
1t would not cost much"
But it mustn't be a mother hubbard.
JI,n,,1I,', 2r1-D $40 -
among the Indians to that! If we send
it at all, let it be pretty. Let us put our
hearts into it and make it a beautiful
surprise for her. She will probably ex-
pect something ugly, if she expects it at
all"
Il don't know why We should discrim-
mate this way in favor of Mrs. John
Lawrence. We have never done it 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 in
tellect Or beauty. remember now that
she married a missionary enthusias! and
went out to those wilds cheerfully."
The speaker crossed the room rapidly
and approached the advocate of the blue
gown.
Il will gladly help you with the gown,
and we will make it beautiful as a
dream"
How quickly the idea became infec-
Everybody offered to do some
thing or to give something. 1t was al
most as delightful as dressing a doll!
st. Mary's auxiliary had turned out
many a box, but never had anything
such interest as this new bit of
work. 1t became a fad: with its silken
Innings, it's dainty frills of lace, it's flag
oting' and exquisite accessories, the
beautiful empire gown lay complete.
The auxiliary women who were packing
the box stopped frequently to admire
and almost caress it.
II hate to see it CO." said the secre-
tary.
1T has done us more good than any
thing we ever did. What a lovely idea
it was!" the treasurer said. 81 don't be-
grudge the money at ALL"
Let me fasten this in" Some one bent
the gown and tackled in a little
of violet.
And I must slip this handkerchief
into it's BOSOM" another deity tucked
an embroidered kerchief into it's folds.
Il have written this note to my dear
old friend, and have told her what a
this has BEEN" and the note.
90, was pinned to the blue gown. And
so, with little final adjustment, and pats
II admiration, the blue gown, soft and
rustling and enveloped in white tissue
paper, was put into Its individual box.
Ind shipped away, with more practical
hlngs, to the land of the Indians and
he plains.
Mrs. Lawrence came home somewhat
discouraged from her sewing school one
Eternoon, to find her house in great dis
'rder. Everything was covered with
1t 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
bookcase; dark, neat and serviceable.
The examined it with enthusiasm. "Thev
we're SO good, weren't they, John?"
Good My dear, the auxiliary is al
ways good. Nov, don't say anything
your brown sack with the black
ringel The auxiliary-well, know
think of it! See! They have
us everything, even to the last ! !
hing on the list-your blue cashmere
He handed her the box.
MY pale blue cashmere gown, John
lawrence! You didn't really write that.
lid you? Oh, what must they nave
hought?" She sank into a chair. pale
md distressed.
i think the dress tells what they
bought" He lifted the delicate gar
as II it were a baby.
silk! Lace! Perfume! A train,
John, can't believe 1t is mine! And
cant help crying! I didn't mean it.
said it in a h~alf-joking, ~half-cynical
ray, Y thinking you would ask for
t wouldn't have dared to ask for it,