Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-06-03

us give it to her. Cashmere is cheap,
and just imagine her pleasure; and do
you know, think pretty gown would
have a cheerful effect on both herself
and her husband. Perhaps 1t might
even convert few more Indiansv' She
sat down. little embarrassed by the
feeling she had shown.
1--WE might make her a mother hub
bard, If you are 80 bent on it." some
one said, doubtfully. made up plain
~ 1t would not cost much"
"But it mustn't be a mother hub
bard. wouldn't doom even a woman
living among the Indians to that! If
we send it at all, let it be pretty. Let
us put our hearts into it and make 1t a
beautiful surprise for her. She will
probably expect something ugly, If she
expects 1t at ALL"
II don't know why we should dis
criminate this way in favor Of Mrs.
John Lawrence We have never done
it before" 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 I am safe in saying that there
is no one here who could surpass her
In either intellect or beauty. 1 remem-
Der now that she married missionary
enthusiast and went out to those wilds
cheerfully." The speaker crossed the
room rapidly and approached the advo-
cate Of the blue gown.
II will gladly help you with the
gown, and we will make it beautiful
as dream"
How quickly the idea became infec-
tious! 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 a box, but never had anything
aroused such interest as this new bit
Of work. 1t became a fad; with its
silken Innings, its dainty frills of lace,
Its "fagoting" and exquisite accessor-
les, the beautiful Empire gown lay
complete. The Auxiliary women who
were packing the box stopped frequent
ly to admire and almost to caress it.
II hate to see it Co." said the secre-
tary.
at has done us more good than any.
thing we ever did. What a lovely idea
1t was" the treasurer said. IT don't
begrudge the money at all"
LET me fasten this In" Some one
bent over the gown and tackled in a
little sachet Of violet.
"And 1 must slip this handkerchief
into Its bosom;" another deftly tucked
an embroidered kerchief into its folds.
II have written this note to my dear
old friend, and have told her what a
pleasure this has been;" and the note,
too, was pinned to the blue gown. And
so, with little final adjustment and
pats Of admiration, the blue gown, soft
and rustling and enveloped in white
tissue paper, was put into It's individ-
ual box, and shipped away, with more
practical things, to the land Of the
Indians and the plains.
Mrs. Lawrence came home some
what discouraged from her sewing
school one afternoon, to find her house
In great disorder. Everything was
covered with clothes it seemed. The
box had come, and her husband had
lost no time In opening 1t. The street
suit for which she had asked confront.
ed her from the bookcase; dark, neat
and serviceable. She examined it with
enthusiasm. "They were so good
weren't they, John"
Good! My dear, the Auxiliary is al.
ways good. Now, don't say anything
about your brown sack with the black
fringel The Auxiliary-well,y you know
what think Of it! See! They have
sent us everything, even to the last
thing on the list-your blue cashmere
gown" He handed her the box.
"My pale blue cashmere gown! John
Lawrence! You didn't really write
that, did you? Oh, what must they
have thought?" She sank into chair
pale and distressed.
II think the dress tells what they
thought" He lifted the delicate gar.
ment as II it were baby.
"Silk! Lace! Perfumel A train
John, can't believe It is mine! And
can't help crying! didn't mean it
said 1t in half-Joking, half-cynical
way, never thinking you would ask
for it I wouldn't have dared to ask
for 1t, and see how they have repaid
me for my unfaith! Everything is sc
beautiful, so dainty! There's so much