Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-13

knots and streamers of azure ribbon,
said "yyouldst like this for thy we'd
ding frock, dear Hetty"
4 The girl turned red, then white. Tears
Of pleasure filed her eyes. She could
not speak.
"Tbrow off that grim black dress
that doth enshroud thee" Margaret
cried gayly, land let US see the enect
of French frock on thy pretty hgure.
First shall comb thy hair high on my
head and put bunch of feathers at
the ton. / wot the style will become
thee. Hetty, as thou'rt not tall Me-
thinks thoult see vast improvement
In thy looks"
After much brushing and combing,
twisting and turning, happy laughter
and Catering comment, the little Puri-
tan maid was changed into fashion
able woman of the world. With her
full white skirts trailing after her, she
paced up and down before the mirror
in an ecstasy Of delight, holding ner
head high, as if she were queen ana
the bunch of feathers set so high above
it royal crown of gold.
Margaret, standing away from her 10
see the effect, was amazed at the sight
of her cousins enhanced beauty.
T' truth thou'rt pretty, Hetty," she
said. "an' the frOck adds to thee might
ily Hadst e'er lover, cousinY' she
added as an afterthought.
The red color in Hetty's cheeks grew
deeper. spreading to the roots OF her
hair as she turned away.
"Thou hastr' Margaret exclaimed
laughing merrily. II know it by tiny
bushes! What long faced wight mere
about hath dared to love my HettyT
"Who talks of lovers" asked a stern
voice.
Both girls started violently with sur
prise at the unexpected sound, ana,
turning, they saw Mistress Taunston'
grim and severe, standing at the
threshold.
"And. Hetty TaunstOn, take off that
wicked garb thou hast put on?' she ex-
claimed. Hath no shame, maid, that
thou doth wear that sinful dress to
show thy naked breast and arms?
Learn now, SO that thou'lt not forget It,
that such wicked vanities are but the
first stepping stones the devil doth lay
down to pave the way to eternal pun
ishment. Dost wish to burn forever,
thou vain maid?"
",Tis Margaret's gift to me from
Paris" Hetty faltered as she began
with nervous haste to undo the fasten-
ings.
Margaret regarded the older woman
with glance that expressed both IN
dignation and establishment.
"Prithee, good aunt" she remonstrat-
ed, "speak not so harshly to poor Het-
ty, who is so young and fair that tits
but natural she should take pleasure in
her beauty"
"Hetty had ever an unseemly desire
for gay clothing" her aunt replied
stiff1y, the expression on her face re-
naming stern and angry. Her Deset-
ting sin and folly is worldly vanity; SO
it is my duty as her mother to scourge
it out of her so that she may become
decorous ard decent woman. Marga-
ret, my son Josiah awaits thee below in
the withdrawing room. He would rem
der to thee thine accounts, and fair
and just steward l trow thou wilt flnd
he hath been, fair niece"
Mrs. Taunston put her rough. toll
worn hand on Margaret's shoulder. Il
advise thee to heed Josiah's counsel,
for although Of mine own son say 1t,
he is a godly man of much honor and
virtue. 'Twere well for so young
maid as thou to take his counsel in all
things pertaining to the management OF
thine estate, to learn to rely on his as
sistanee. to depend on him, and thine
aunt doth promise thee that thou wit
find withal profit, freedom from care
and much happiness as a consequence.
"Thank thee, good aunt" Margaret
replied civilly. "As Josiah is below,
will see him at once. as methinks so
faithful steward should not be kept
waiting. When thou hast changed
frocks, Hetty. will see thee again.
Wilt thou come with me, aunt?"
"Nay, Margaret" she answered has
tily, thou hadst best see thy cousin
alone"