The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-01-08

! asked for no advice. Her letters
stated that she was having q good
time, that Cousin Harriet had re-
turned and had persuaded her to
spend q month with her, and that the
shops Of Timminsville were much
| better than those OF Bancroft This
last statement filled the Biddles with
vague alarms. Aunt Julia had evil
IDENTIFY been shopping; no doubt her
| longer stay would make some shop
ping necessary.
Mrs Biddle wrote what she con-
sidered tactful letter, advising mod
Grafton and gently reminding Miss
Biddle of her advancing age and the
size of her bones
Aunt Julia's next letter filled the
Biddles with lively concern. 1t
mentioned in modest postscript the
buying OF a new gown.
But, added Aunt Julia, with an
unusual touch of gaiety, st looks SO
much better than it sounds that l
sha'n't attempt to describe it,"
'Horrors!" gasped Claudia. 81
hope she hasn't disgraced this quiet
family by coming out in plaids.
S II see yards upon yards of bright
purple" said Louise, with stockings
and shoes to match"
f'If Cousin Harriet had anything to
do with the choosing, remarked Mrs.
altogether too gay for person of
Aunt Julia's age and size She prob
ably looks as if she'd just escaped
from bedlam by this time, but I can't
help it,
after ALL" said Louise, cts her
money. Perhaps she realizes it. !"
The Biddles turned out in, full
force to meet Aunt Julia. They we're
glad she was coming home, for Miss
Biddle, in her quiet way, was de-
cidedly useful member of the family.
Aunt Julia appeared in a hand
some light gray skirt and Jacket.
She wore also pale lavender silk
waist and a gray hat trimmed with
violets. Her youth had come to the
surface. Her young soul had at last
mastered her prematurely old body.
my SOUL" gasped Claudia. isn't
she stunning? And isn't it becom-
ing? Why, she's really pretty!"
'It's partly her hair" said Louise.
TITS done differently-so much fluff
fer. But see how she holds her head
up. She's proud of herself.
why, Julia" cried Mrs. Biddle,
chow fine you look! 1 couldn't have
believed that you could wear light
colors."
"This is a ready made suit, altered
to fit" said Aunt Julia. 1--WE always
thought that if l could get the right
colors and have things properly and
becomingly made I'd be just about as
good looking as anybody. 7"
"And you are" declared Louise.
We're proud of you"
cousin Harriet helped me-" con-
fessed Aunt Julia. There are more
clothes in my trunk"
Judged by the standards of Ban
croft, Aunt Julia's clothes were per-
haps a trifie gorgeous, yet they were
surprisingly becoming. Seemingly
she was built for gorgeousness.
Hitherto all public honors had
passed her by, but now the Howells
Club awoke to the merits of this
neglected member and elected her
treasurer; the Womans Guild sent
her as a delegate to the next auxil-
larry meeting, and the local chapter
of the D. A. r., not to be outdone,
nominated her for vice-regent.
"It's her Clothes said Claudia.
cts the consciousness of being
we'll dressed" returned Mrs. Biddle.
1T gives her feeling of independ-
ence that she's never had before.
I'm afraid it's been largely my fault,
for I've made her take bad advice for
years. 1 don't see how she can for
give me-
Whats that about forgiving?" de-
manded Aunt Julia, from the door
way.
Julia" said Mrs. Biddle, earnest
ly, II feel as if I'd murdered the best
part of your youth-as if I'd smoth-
cred it with sensible clothes. Every
woman should be allowed to express
her own individuality through the
medium of her clothes. brushed
aside all your preferences and tried
to substitute mine. l believe I'd feel
better if you'd say what you think
about it"
Well" returned Aunt Julia, sim
ply, ''if had any resentful feelings
and l guess did have just few
l stuffed them into Cousin Harriet's
furnace with those awful waists of
Hannah Dysons. And perhaps it's
good thing to have ones youth bot
tied up against the time when one
needs it most. I'm certainly enjoy
ing mine now Youths Companion.
nrrnc,rr HXnRnS