Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-04
No. 18.

soul was so fair that God took her to
himself"
Hetty continued to regard the cross
with looks OF aversion and dislike.
Take 1t of, dear Margaret" she en-
treated. "Such papist signs will be
curse to thee. Cousin, tits near to idol
Worship
Margaret sheok her head reprovingly.
lis thine education doth make thee
think these things, Puritan Hetty.
Why. cousin, the day before she passed
away to heaven my Hulda with weak
hands clasped this chain about my
neck, asking me to wear 1t for all time
in memory of our true friendship
This did promise her that / would do.
A curse?" she repeated reproachfully.
NAY, cousin, from one so near to
heaven more like twill prove bless
ing"
For a moment Margaret was silent
| Then she added, $50 recent hath been
my bereavement and within such q
short time have these hands wiped
the tears from the anguished mothers
eyes that the subject pains me-"
Then she turned away suddenly, as IL
to end the matter, walked to the bed
and, lifting a dress Of sheerest linen
from the white counterpane, cut In the
latest fashion, with the skirt made full
with countless lace trimmed ruffles to
the waist, the bodice low at the neck
and sleeveless, gayly bedecked with
knots and streamers Of azure ribbon,
said, "Wouldst like this for thy wed
ding frock, dear Hetty?"
The girl turned red, then white. Tears
Of pleasure filed her eyes. She could
not speak.
Throw off that grim black dress
that doth enshroud thee," Margaret
cried gayly, land let us see the effect
of French frock on thy pretty figure.
First / shall comb thy hair high on thy
head and put bunch of feathers at
the top. 1 wot the style will become
thee, Hetty, as thou'rt not tall Me-
thinks thou'lt see q vast improvement
In thy looks"
After much brushing and combing.
twisting and turning, happy laughter
tan maid was changed into a 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 her
head high, as IL she were queen and
the bunch of feathers set so high above
1t n royal crown of gold. =
Margaret, standing away from her to
see the effect, was amazed at the sight
of her cousins enhanced beauty.
81 truth thou'rt pretty, Hetty," she
said, ''an' the frock adds 20 thee might
lily. Hadst e'er a lover, cousinT' 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. Il know 1t by thy
blushes! What long faced wight here
about hath dared TO love my Hetty?"
who talks of lovers?' asked stern
voice.
Both girls started violently with sur
prise at the unexpected sound, and,
turning, they saw Mistress Baunston.
grim and severe, standing at the
threshold.
"And, Hetty Taunston, take Off that
wicked gasD 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 maidY
"'Tls Margarets 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 astonishment.
"Prithee, good aunt" she remonstrat-
ty, who is SO young and fair that It's
but natural she should take pleasure In
her beauty"
"Hetty had ever an unseemly desire
for gay clothing" her aunt replied
stifiiy, the expression on her face re-
naming stern and angry. Her beset-
ting sin and folly Is worldly vanity; so
1t is my duty MS her mother to scourgo
II out OF her so that she may become
decorous and decent woman. Marga-
ret, my son Josiah awaits thee below In
the withdrawing room. He would rem
der TO thee thine accounts, and a fair
and just steward trow thou wilt find
he hath been, fair niece"
Mrs. Tsunston put her rough, toll
worn hand on Margarets shoulder. IL
advise thee TO heed Josiah's counsel,
for, although of mine own son say It,
be IL n godly man OF much honor and
virtue. 'Twere well for so young n
maid as thou TO take his counsel Ia all
things pertaining TO the management OF
thine estate. to learn to rely on his as
slstance, TO depend on him, and thine
aunt doth promise thee that thou wilt
find withal profit, freedom from care
and much happiness az n consequence"
Thank thee. good aunt" Margaret
replied clvilly. "As Josiah is below, I
will see him at once, as methinks SO
faithful n steward should not be kept
waiting. When thou hast changed
frocks. Hetty. / will see thee again.
wilt thou come with me, auntY
NAY, Margaret" she answered has
lilly. thou hadst best see thy cousin
alone"