Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-02-24


be the wiser"
We need not narrate all the argu-
ments resorted to ere Bessie assented
to the plan; suffice it to say that an
hour later the two ladies emerged from
the store, the coveted silk in their pos
session
''Now. whom shall we engage to
make the dress" questioned Kate, as
| they reached the street.
Myself, Mrs. Belcher." said Bessie,
gayly. 81 am a capital dressmaker."
MAKE it yourself! My dear child.
are you crazy? Ruin that elegant
| dress-for you would ruin it! Don't
think of such thing, Bessie
But whom can engage?" said Bes-
sic.
'Well. l always go to Nine. Arnault
All! that's the woman for you. You
stand up, the modiste takes your meas
/ ure, and the trouble is over
But isn't she very exorbitant?" tim
| idly asked Bessie
"She has her fixed prices" replied
Mrs. Belcher, land they are a little
high. OF course, if you can't afford
| it.
1T is not that" hastily interrupted
Bessie, "but 1 don't know what Char
ley will say
Charley, indeedl What has he to
do with it, should like to know?"
"He must pay the bills" whispered
Bessie's conscience. But there sat
Mrs. Grumpy. in the person of her
| friend, watching her out of her green
eyes, and after wavering a moment,
Bessie followed her friend into the
handsome parlor of the complaisant
Mime. ArnauIt
Madame has de-de what you call
it?-de figure parfait," said the lady. as
she busted herself in measuring Bessie
casting meanwhile an almost imperS
| ceptible glance at Mrs. Belcher. dat
| belle lavender-the trimmings, all
what will madame have? Some of de
most eXquis-dis velveet?"
And so the lady ratified on, to the ut
ter confusion of Bessie who finally
made her escape, dimly conscious that
she had given her consent to all man
ner of extravance, and wondering how
(. it would all end
''What novice you are" said Kate,
laughingly. do you know, my dear,
was actually on thorns when you at
tempted to cheaper that trimming.
However, ! told madame that your
husband was very rich, but perfect
lniser, and you, being very young. were
too much in awe of him.
ooh, Kate, how could your ex-
claimed Bessie, so drearily that her
friend laughed louder than before.
"Never mind, Bessie; wait till the
Dress comes home"
And so Bessie tried to still the dull
pain in her heart, and smiled brightly
as ever in her husbands face, and
Charley, noticing the change in her de-
meanor, only fancied that she was i'll.
| In about week the dress came.
Tremblingly Bessie undid the package,
held it up, turned it round and round
and finally tried it ON. 1t was a per-
feet fit. The trimming was superb.
Didn't / tell you to waltz" asked
Mrs. Belcher triumphantly.
Bessie did not answer. She had
caught sight of piece of paper at
tached to the sleeve, and was reading
it with blanched cheeks and quivering
lips:
ITO Nine. Arnault, Dr.:
ITO Markings and Trimmings of
Dress, $45.75."
Bessie sank down and burst into
tears.
pooh, pooh! be woman" said Mrs.
Belcher, little scornfully. 1T is rea-
sonable for Nine. Arnault. Then look
at it-isn't it worth double the money!"
"But what will Charley say?"
"By cutting down your expenses, as
suggested, you will be able to replace
the money before he counts it again
Charley will never know, and besides,
it is downright mean in him to stint
you so. think you are quite justified
in helping yourself"
| So Bessie took the money, and felt
quite relieved, till a week later she
discovered that her superb silk put
her simple straw hat, with its ribbon
trimmings, entirely out of countenance
1T will never do to wear it with that
| silk said Kate, and took Bessie forth
with to fashionable millinery estab-
| lishment down town.
Nov, here's love. Just try this on.
Mrs. Worth, how much is this with The
flowers and the blond fall?''
Thirty dollars, Mrs, Belcher, and
cheap at that. 1t is imported, as
madam can see Where do you see
anything so stylish in this country ~
/ 1T is too DEAR" said Bessie, decided
", looking at it. however, with longing
eyes.
At length hat for half that sum
was selected by Kate, but Bessie again
expostulated by declaring that she had
only ten dollars in her purse.
Take the other five out of your
money drawer at home'
But Charley
''Oh, that FOR Charleyv' swapping
her fingers. You are not slave, /
hope. Have little spirit, dor
And again Bessie yielded, only to
discover that she absolutely required
several other articles that go to make
up lady's toilet, which, when duly
purchased and paid for, left the money
drawer empty.
Mrs. Belcher accompanied her on all
these shopping excursions. buying for
her, aud Invariably selecting the choic-
est articles. with readiness not lit
lie astonishing to Bessie. who had
seen her haggle half an hour for a
dime, and had to learn how much
easier it is to buy when the money
comes out of your neighbours pocket
Poor Bessie. her little heart was very
sore Of late. Her new clothing had
brought her small pleasure, for apart
from the agonies Of terror when Char
lev approached his &C. wherein was
4 t.r.x