Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-01-24
HER FIRST PARTY.

Il almost know II is gong 10 Ue
pink sikh" cried Margery, bursting
into her mothers room in great ex-
citement. Margery usually began her
stories in the middle, and with pa
thence one must gather up the ends.
There are going to be six" she
continued.
"six pink silk dresses?" asked her
mother. Nov. Margery, dear, this
time am not going to form any opin-
ion until you tell me exactly what 1t
Is all about"
well, it is about Dorothy's uncle,
and he is in Japan, and he is going
to send her a box, and Dorothy isn't
to open it until the party, and then
we are all to stand round and help
take out the things; and almost
know you will get my summer dress,
and 1t will be pink silk. There!"
"And you don't know the dey?'
well, she thinks 1t will be in two
weeks, and she is ready to tell us at
a minutes notice."
The story was out at last. and Mar
gerry sat in dream for moment. Il
am sort of afraid she said, at last.
Il never went to party, and ! am
afraid 1 don't know the games"
81 think you will get on nicelyvif
you think of others more than your
SELF" her mother said, gently.
The family was destined to know
all about the party in the next lew
weeks, for there was no other topic
of conversation. The dress was bought
and as it was simple, washable SILK,
she was allowed to look forward to
wearing it. She stood up patiently to
be ftted-it is so much easier to be
fitted for pretty silk than for plan
gingham! The box seemed delayed,
for days went on and there was no
summons to her friends house. Mar
gerry grew more nervous and surer
still that she should be "afraid" TO
play the new games.
One day she thought she would go
up and call on. Dorothy, and as she
came up the walk she was surprised
to find three little girl friends on
the piazza. She saw that they were
in their best frocks. but that did not
trouble her, as she had only come to
call. They urged her to come and
join game they were about to play.
and when they were planning 1t out
several others came, and then the
fun began.
1t was nearly dark when Margery
came home, running breathlessly into
the kitchen and asking Kitty where
the note was that had been left that
morning.
Sure. forgot, and It's behind the
clock" Margery took it and ran on
to her mother and father in the IL
brary.
"Why are you SO late?' asked her
father, little severely.
"Why, l didn't have my pink silk
dress on, and it was the party, and l
wasn't afraid" painted Margery, hold
ing up bright little handkerchief.
Party! Where?" asked her father.
"Why, it was behind the kitchen
clock, and the box came and there
were big fans and teeay-tiny fans, and
vases, and wee little clock and
some lanterns and a flag and kite
-
wait, wait!" said her mother.
Now start again. l know there was
no party behind our kitchen clock"
Nor any magician to bring all
those things out of box" added her
father, laughing.
So Margery began at the beginning,
which had to do with Kitty forgetting
to deliver the note and the strange &C
cident of her call, and her own sur
prise when she arrived, to find "the
party" taking place. They gathered
quite connected story at last. When
bedtime came and she was nicely
tucked away, Sic called sleepily to
her mother, at was funny about the
silk dress not going to the party, and
there it was behind the kitchen clock
al the time!"
mo, it was hanging in your closet"
said mother. II wouldn't keep 1t be-
hind the clock" But Margery was too
sleepy to straighten out the tangle.-
Mary Wright Saunders, in the Youths
Companion.
THE RED JACKET.