Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-02-27
won FIRST PRIZE

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7 CANNOT imagine why Tom wishes
me to invite that little Dorothy
Irving to my euchre party Friday
night. TO my knowledge he never met
the girl but once. That was at that
garden fete we had in the village last
summer. You remember Agnes. You
were there"
Yes. distinctly remember the at
fair. But the girl haven't the faint
est recollection Of any such person.
Your letter was from Tom, then? So
he's coming? That's awfully good
news"
Yes. But he cannot get down until
the late train. Exams for something
going on at the college. But he's COM
ing. Dear old fellow! l know you're
pleased, too. Agnes. All. yes-I know
all about you two. DO you think I've
no eyes in my head, my dear? You're
horrible flirt, but l think you like
Tom good bit under the surface-eh ?
Oh, pshaw! l tell? Never. don't
blame you. He's an awfully fine boy,
If he Is my brother. Yes, certainly
shall have to ask Miss Irving. Tom
requests it particularly. Funny thing
for him to do, though. Oh, yes, she's
rather a nice sort. Awfully unso-
phisticated, and not in Our-er-set,
| exactly. One Of the village girls, you
know"
Dorothy Irving troubled Agnes Mills
very little. She returned to the read
ing Of rather risque French novel
with renewed zest, happy in the fact
Of her own assured position in the
Hammond household. and the posses
sion of perfect wardrobe and an I'M
limited bank account She was an
heiress, beautiful, selfish, an incorri-
gible flirt. but really, for the first time
in her life, seriously in love, and with
Tom Hammond-Or as much SO as her
tickle nature permitted.
The eventful night Of Grace Ham,
mond's euchre party arrived. Dorothy
stood before the spare chamber mir
ror, putting the finishing touches to
! her elaborate toilet. She held alOft
the small lamp for final survey Of
the blue taffeta waist, and could not
help smiling. little, satisfied smile
that brought into play number Of
unsupported dimples, at the reflection
In the notified glass. She gave the
soft curl on either side Of her pretty
forehead last caressing pat. And
paused In the act, for she heard a
step ascending the front stairway.
Dorothy, child, you there?" called
Aunt Eliza, entering the room. pausing
breathless and agtated to regain her
spent breath. And she had disagree
able duty to perform. and wished to
/ recover all her powers for the ordeal
before her.
what is 1t, aunty? Has Uncle Eli
had a poor spell!"
! mo, Dorothy, no. But. dear child,
I've had time of it, tell you. And
I'm bout beat out. When ELI gets
notion set on his mind they amt no
! reasonin' him out of it. Oh dear SUI.
You see how it's. He's just been over
to Deacon Browns, an they've filed
his head up talking against it. Dea-
con Brown says faint nothin' more or
less than gambin in genteel way
! playin fer prizes. an l dunno what
all. You know Deacon Brown Is so
set again cards he won't have one in
his house. An then, too, he thinks
it's such bad time. just when the re-
vival meetin's are beginning. He saws
card playin' is gettin' altogether too
common among the young folks. An,
oh, | dunno what more he said But
uncle says you can't so step to it
tie party"
"Oh, dear. Oh, DEAR walled Doro-
thy, Pumping down beside her aunt
among the feathers, regardless of her
finery. THAT mischief making old
Deacon Brown. Stingy, mean old
thing. | hate him for it. Gambling.
! Mr.. Hammond would never permit
erybody i'll the city in decent society
plays euchre. oh, dear" and Doro-
thy's indignant tears fell UNDECIDED
upon the blue waist.
come, now. Dorothy, cheer up.
dearie You know | amt the one to
deny you anything in reason"
Il tell you what. Dorothy, I've fixed
it up SOS you can go home with Aunt
Sophie an the girls. They'll be to
meetin'," continued Aunt Eliza, 80
you can ride right home with them
don't care if you stay over there the
rest of the week"
"Oh, aunt, won't you need me-:
"Go right along. Dorothy. Come
now, you'll have to hurry. The bells
tollin'. You won't have no time to
take off that waist. It's pity" she
added, regretfully.
Dorothy left kiss on the wrinkled,
toilsome cheek of her aunt, and fairly
few down the short, old fashioned