Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-27

delicate and pretty. I took the gown UP
| and eyed 1t critically. The rufhe around the
neck was sheer and white. but-but, oh!
horrors! the sleeves were drawn close Into
prim bands and fastened with porcelain
buttons! The tears filled my eyes. Those
shiny cheap buttons marred all else.
You do not like it?' 1t was Aunt Pris-
ella speaking from the doorway.
'I-I-like some Of it," sobbed I. but
wish there were ruffles around the wrists
We'll. there are not! SHARPLY said my
aunt.
Then, auntie won't you please take OF
, these buttons and put on pearl ones?"
Upon my word" cried Aunt Priscilla,
If you are not trying hard to find fault. l
made that dress almost exactly like one
that 1 wore to a party long. long ago. The
happ!est party l ever went to. Somehow.
I thought 1t would please you. Well. times
are changed. You may wear the dress or
stay at home. that Is all"
OF course l could not give up the party,
| so l went, porcelain buttons. heartache
and all.
When I told Dorothy my sorrow she
burst out: why. 1 think it is pretty. 1t
would look better on me. because 1 am
dark. and my blue would be sweet with
your light curls. Oh. Margaret. let US
change dresses! 1t is all joke anyway.
and the change may help to confuse grand
mother
Your mother would not permit It."
gasped. almost dizzy at the idea of the blue
silk on me. But Dorothy's mother entered
into the fun. and [ became the wonderful
Cinderella Of that most wonderful story
party.
You don't mind the buttons?" I asked
Dorothy thinking she might have over
! looked the monstrosities and later would re-
greet her bargain.
oh. think they are nice" she laughed.
They are so funny and odd and shiny
Their little crinkley edges are cunning"
When the other girls came they were
bit surprised at my flnery, and Dorothy's
painness, but they forebore making re-
marks. and we all fell to playing in the
merriest fashion. I alone felt awkward
and | must confess, a trife guilty Fine
feathers are very well If they are your
own: If they are not. oh how heavy they
can become.
Az O'Clock grandmother arrived real
ialry godmother in gray curls, silk and
laces. She Rugged and kissed the SQUIRE
and his wife. laughing and CRYING both to-
gether, and then, with tears shining in her
Keen old eyes. she came down upon the
lawn to find her little granddaughter
among the ten girls grouped together. shak
ing with excitement.
Dear me- said the jolly old lady, now
that see you, | want you ALL" Then her
eyes fell upon Dorothy and me. Perhaps we
looked very guilty. | am sure that l did
Perhaps the kind heart remembered her
girihood: anyway she looked at Dorothy
smiled. then eyed me.
why feel II | were dreaming" she
said. and quivery smile came and went
about her mouth Before 1 go a bit
further l must tell you a story and | am
sure that you will understand
when l was a small girl once went to
party, and l am afraid l was very
| naughty, foolish child. for I was ashamed
of the dress my mother made for me. 1t
was the best that she could afford. and
since then l have often thought OF 1t as the
prettiest dress that ever was. 1t was al
most exactly like this one, even to the dear
little Old-fashioned buttons" she touched
the dress Dorothy wore almost reverently
And deary me! are my old eyes cheating
me? But almost 1 fancy l might have
looked like this little maid II only I had
not been so foolish For you see. my dears.
my very best friend on that occasion had a
plaid silk dress. and out Of love and pity
for me. she changed with mel Down went
my guilty head. and Dorothy squeezed my
hand in sympathy.
st hurt my dear mother" the grand
mother went on. ito know how foolish
I had been. and she would never let me
have the dress back My little. best friend
priced it for many reasons and kept Ii
credy in a drawer, covered with lavender
leaves and l kept the silk because my
friends mother insisted. l have the dress
still among my treasures 1t taught me a
useful lesson. Forgive my story. dears but
1t all came back so clearly today. And now
let me see-why. what is the matter?"
Dorothy and 1 were clinRing to her, crying
and sobbing.
1--WE. we-have a story. tool" gasped