Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-12
HER BURIED
 VANITY

vanity has received such heavy blows that 1t is completely crushed. The first blow was about a year ago when Mrs. Black and were stand
 ing at the window watching Alice ani
 my mother coming up the street. Mrs
 Black said: What handsome wo
 man your mother is!' was glowing
 with pleasure. but before had s
 chance to say word she added: You
 must look like your father.'"
 Well. for Alice's mother that wasn't
 so bad" remarked one of the others
 You ought to hear what she said tc
 me"
 "Oh, never mind now what she said
 to you." exclaimed Jane. We want tc
 hear about Margaret's rings and hair
 For a while hardly dared look into
 the glass" went on Margaret. How
 ever, when my bruised vanity was get ting strong enough to be about I in
 vited some of the girls to dinner. They had never seen my mother, and when lshe appeared at the table you never
 saw such surprised lot. Why, you don't look at all as I thought you would, Mrs. Carter!'"
 Just as if anybody ever did!" said .Elizabet. Why, do you know" < Let Margaret go on," said Jane, limpatiently.
 .l Wishing to say something they could dispute, remarked jocosely, You thought she was thin and homely like me But they didn't dispute 1t; they agreed unanimously. so I knew AIthat I had expressed their inmost thoughts"
 !! Your mother ought to be sup pressed" said Elizabeth. She's alto tgether too good looking for everyday use"
 Well" began one of the listeners. "some girls are simply awful anyway. Why, do you know. one of them told Dora-'
 ! "Oh, let Margaret tell why she doesn't curl her hair," said Jane. i. "As you may suppose, my vanity was ground into the earth again; but mot until l met John Stewart was 1t buried, never to be resurrected. John used to admire me very much and I might have been-but let that pass! I hadn't seen him for ten years, and when I did see him, I had on that dress I got for Helen's wedding. hope none of the rest of you contem- plate marrying rich man: at any rate. not until my pocket book is bet ter filled. We'll, every one said looked stunning in the dress, and I'll frankly admit that expected to make John regret losing such clever, we'll dressed and generally desirable wo- man. After shaking hands joyously reminiscent look came into his eyes and he said, What pretty girl you were ten years ago, Margaret John Stewart ought to be drummed out of decent society,"" began one of the listeners. He told Edith Stills that her"
 "Oh, bother Edith Sills!" exclaimed Jane. Co ahead. Margaret. You haven't got to the hair and rings yet" "Mr. Scoville happened to be stand ing by"
 He usually is," interrupted Eliza beth.
 Margaret went on as if she hadn't heard. He said if Helen of Troy had been alive ten years ago. and if I was prettier then than I am TOW, she would have had to look to her laurels." ; Complicated. but undoubtedly in- tended to be complimentary. Surely that didn't drive you to ringless and straight-haked condition said Eliza beth.
 You're not including that in your blows, are you?" began one of the lis- teners. That Mir. Scoyille is the nic- est man. He told Maud Gregory once that he"
 "Oh, never mind Maud Gregory" ex- claimed Jane. Do go on, Margaret"
 There is no more at present." said Margaret. T know Nr. Scoville imper- lied his immortal soul, but it was in noble cause. To conclude, all these straws. taken together. convinced me, that the vanities of the world are not for me. Whats the use of trying to be beautiful against such fearful odds?"
 Whats this I hear about odds?" asked Margaret's sister, coming in. Surely you're not betting on horses"
 NO. we weren't betting" explained one of the listeners. Margaret was just telling us why she had stopped curling her hair and wearing rings.".
 Well. Margaret. I might have known" said her sister. turning to her You bound me to se- crecy just because you wanted the pleasure of telling it first yourself But he knows a thing or two doesn't he, girls? It's so distinguished to wear straight hair when it's becoming, and Margaret's never looked so we'll any other way. And her new diamond ring makes her other rings look cheap, SO of course she won't wear them"
 What are you talking about?" Eleanor7" gasped Elizabeth.
 Why. just what you were taking about: Margaret's engagement to Mir. 
 "Deceiver. Buried vanity indeed." shouted the chorus.
 T knew it all the time" said Jane with a superior air. My brother saw