Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-14
,aret added gayly, 81 have a love of


turned papist. cousin?"
Margaret smiled family.
NAY, Hetty, think not so, and take
that look of horror from thy face. This
cmblcm"-lifting the cross in her hand
and regarding it affectionately- but
the parting gift of my friend, Hulda
Manning, who was so good, whose
soul was SO fair that God took her to
himself"
Hetty continued to regard the cross
with looks of aversion and dislike.
Take 1t off, dear Margaret" she Ell
treated. such papist signs will be a
curse to thee! Cousin, tits near to idol
worship"
Margaret shook her head reprovingly.
Ills 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 Inc to wear it for all time
in memory of our true friendship.
This did promise her that l 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 a
short time have these hands wiped
the tears from the anguished mothers
eyes that the subject pains me-
fThnp Sbn fyIrpal oNyov Su1Ian1v
to end the matter. walked to the bed
and, lifting dress of sheerest linen
from the white counterpane, cut in the
latest fashion, with the skirt made full
with countless lace trimmed RIFLES 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 we'd
ding frock, dear Hetty?"
The girl turned red, then white. Tears
| of pleasure filled 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. l wot the style will ecome
thee, Hetty, rs thou'rt not tar Me
| thinks thou'lt see vast improvement
in thy looks"
After much brushing and combing,
twisting and turning, happy laughter
and flattering comment, the little Puri-
tor, mold nj, inf n fps
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 If she were n queen and
the bunch Of feathers set so high above
it a royal crown of gold.
Margaret, standing away from her to
see the effect was amazed at the sight
of her cousins enhanced beauty.
"I' truth thou'rt pretty, Hetty," she
| said, "an' the frock adds to thee might
lily. Hadst Ger lover, cousinf' she
added as an afterthought.
The red colon in Hettys cheeks grew
deeper, spreading to the roots Of her
hair as she turned away.
Thou hastw Margaret exclaimed,
laughing merrily. 81 know it Ay thy
bushes! 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 Taunston,
grim and severe, standing at the
threshold.
"And, Hetty Taunston, take off that
wicked garb thou hast put ont" she eN-
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
thou vain maid?'
"Tis 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 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 IN unseemly desire
for gay clothing" her aunt replied
stlfi1y, the expression on her face re-
naming stern and angry. "Her beset-
ting sin and folly is worldly vanity; so
it is my duty as her mother to scourge
1t out Of her so that she may become Il
decorous and decent woman. Marga-
ret my son Josiah awaits thee below in
the withdrawing room. lie would rem
der to thee thine accounts, and fair
and just steward trow thou wilt find
he hath been, fair niece"
Mrs. Taunston put her rough, toll
Worn hand on Margaret's shoulder. 81
advise thee to heed Josiah's counsel
for, although Of mine own son l say 1t,
he is cody man of much honor and
virtue. "Twere well for so young a
maid as thou to take his counsel in all
things pertaining to the management of
thine estate, to learn to rely on his as
sistance, to depend on him, and thine
aunt doth promise thee that thou wilt
find withal profit, freedom from care
and much happiness as a consequence"
"Thank thee, good aunt" Margaret
replied clyilly. "As Josiah is below, I
Will see linn ut 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"