Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-06-02
The Pale Blue
CashnlereCoWn

SILL N study table, leaning on MS elpo"'
his usually busy pen held idly between
his fingers. He gazed far over the plains
= trancelike expression In his thought
full eyes; he believed that the time was
coming when those plains would be peo-
pled and, with the hopefulness Whlcn
made his missionary life beautiful, ne
seemed to see the church leading, in
spring and ministering to these peo-
ple, Already he had visions of school
wherein his own wife would be the rul-
ing spirit; visions of a hospital, a
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. Y
How long he might have dreamed, no
one knows, but he was recalled by de-
licious voice calling to him: .>-. .. ga.
81 am % inches around the waist,
John, and my skirt length is 43. You
know you asked me yesterday"
"Sure enough" he answered, with
little start, taking up the tapeline which
lay conspicuously on his desk. II must
get that letter off to-day; but I'd bet
ter measure you myself You probably
measured with string. That's the
feminine way, believe
His wife came in, feather buster IN
hand. and as he drew the line about her
waist, he dropped a kiss upon her fore
head.
II hope they will send you something
pretty"
Mrs. Lawrence burst into laughter.
'The idea of anything pretty in mis-
sionary 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
snuff-colored dressing jacket with the
black fringe?"
wasn't that pretty?" he queried. II
always thought it was very elegant, ex-
cept when the fringe dipped in the cof-
fee."
"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"
IF she is Christian! Yes, admit it,"
he sail, gently; "all of Gods creatures
are 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
for my wife, clerical suit for self, over.
soat-I hate to ask for that, but it is
necessity in this bleak land"
He read once again the friendly letter,
In which he had been urged to make
known all his needs, assuring him that
they would he supplied, so far as posi-
BILE, by a branch of the Women's aux
iiary.
In the meantime Mrs. Lawrence was
busting the sitting-room, and she had
come to a standstill before little ivory
miniature of herself the price of which
would almost have paid for everything
in their modest home. It was made ten
years before, when she had just finished
school and was archly 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 tc mention everything
we need, and they will supply us as far
as possible"
Eyes" she called, little sarcastically,
"please tell them need very much
pale blue cashmere gown" and then
she smiled at the absurdity of such re-
quest from missionary's wife. Imag-
Inc the CONSERVATION that would Gre
ate," 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 again?
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 after
notwithstanding she rather be the
wife of John Lawrence in black bril-
liantines and brown surges, than any,
body else in the world?
The president of St. Mary's auxiliary
was rapping loudly for order. She was
reading letter saying that Rev John
Lawrence would be deeply grateful for
suit, an overcoat, etc. 1t was when
she came to the overcoat that the con-
fusion arose; for one lady had a prac-
tically new overcoat which her present
coachman, being stout could not wear.
1t was exactly Rev. Lawrence's size, but.
being 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 letter.
Where was I? Sheets, pillow cases,
table linen, and'-what is this? "A pale
b lie cashmere gown!"
A pale blue cashmere gown! Had she
asked for an automohil coat the request
could not have produced more surprise
There was deep silence Even the pres
1dent found nothing tO GOV for eo,,n