The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-19
THE EVENING STORY
Their Green Gown.
NV Clarfssa Mackie. \

Miss Weston thoughtfully turned a
worn little ring on her slim finger as
she surveyed her pretty niece.
They looked very much alike, Miss
Lily and young Mildred. only the aunt
was slender to thinness and her once
golden hair had faded to ashen blonde;
but her eyes were as beautiful and
long dashed and full of depth and
sweetness as they had been fifteen
years ago, and her skin was as fair
and her lips were red as Mfldred's.
1.-THE check book tells a sorry tale,
dear" she said at length, "but perhaps
can help you out of my magic clothes
press.''
Aunt Lily! I can't take anything
more from you; you have given me
your embroidered muslin and the pink
silk-and have worn them out. Don't
tempt mel" The girl covered her ears
and closed her eyes tightly.
Don't be foolish, Mildred" protest.
ed Miss Weston. Il want you to go
to the Patterson dance and you must
have a new gown. My green tissue
can be altered and will make you
sweet frock. Come to my room and
try 1t on
Reluctantly, Mildred followed her
aunt to the pretty front room where
the older woman spent much of her
time.
The furniture was rather old-fash-
toned but of fine quality, for it had
been purchased in the days before
Lily Weston had lost most OF her for
tune.
Miss Weston spread the green gown
on the bed and surveyed it with
strange yearning in her eyes. 1t was
of fine silken tissue in tender leaf
green and embroidered here and there
with tiny golden flower.
A pair of green slippers with gold
buckles and green stockings were
tucked in one corner of the box from
which the gown had been produced.
"It Is lovely, Aunt Lily! I suppose
you have worn it to dances, too"
ST wore it more than once. Mildred,
and had the happiest times of my life.
Now, you must wear it, and l hope
you will be equally happy" She bent
and kissed the girl tenderly, and Mil
dred felt a warm drop on her cheek,
but when she looked at her aunt, Miss
Weston was smiling.
Come" she said blithely, get your
work basket"
Mildred danced with tireless energy
at the Patterson ball. The green
gown was vastly becoming to her fair
beauty and she had never looked more
charming.
Lester Stearns had succumbed to her
loneliness and in the fragrant GOODNESS
of the conservatory he asked Mildred
to marry him. She was radiant with
happiness when Mrs. Patterson ap-
preached her, followed by tall
stranger.
uuested an introduction to the girl in
the green gown!' Miss Lane-Captain
Gray! Now, Mr.. Stearns you may take
me into the supper room. with a
little nod she was gone with the re-
luctant lover.
Mildred looked at her new acquain-
lance, and decided at once that she
would like him. He was a man in
the prime of life with brown, rugged
face that told of an out of door Life.
Strength and kindness were In his
gray eyes, and vigor in his large, we'll
muscled frame.
NI have seen your gown before. Miss
Lane" said Captain Gray, abruptly.
"You must be mistaken" laughed
Mildred; ST have never worn it until
this evening"
.It was worn by another girl" he
said, thoughtfully; "a girl who looked
lust as you dot is fifteen years ago
that I saw her last and she wore the
green gown"
cit must have been Aunt Lily" said
Mildred. constrainedly.
'It was Lily Weston-then."
.'It is Lily Weston now said Mil
dred; land she is just as sweet and
lovely now as she ever was- am
surei"
At am sure Of that, too" he remark
ed gravely. ..,a,.
and 1 wanted to come so badly-and
Aunt Lily brought this out Of her
treasure chest and fixed 1t for me.
know it was the dearest thing she
owned-yet she lent it to me-"
"She was always unselfish and loyal
to the core-and / could never under
stand" he paused and looked at her
WHAT" asked Mildred. warmly.
~, h. ef
of sweet Aunt Lily.
at am a simple sailor man, Miss
Lane, and confess to not understand
ing the ways of women. / was lieu
Weston and fell in love with her. We
became engaged and were to be mar
ried.
This green gown I brought to her
from China, and she wore it several
times while 1 was on leave. We had
a foolish quarrel one night. my last
night ashore; it was a matter of
trifiing Jealousy on my part and be-
the evening was over I had seen my
folly I wrote on a programme that
me il a certain coy nook on the
stairs" He paused and sighed.
AND" suggested Mildred.
"She was surrounded by admirers,
and as 1 had no other opportunity,
slipped the programme into her hand
as we passed each other while
dancing"
"And them"
"She never came. 1 waited until
after midnight and then. when I had
seen her depart with her friends, 1
left. L have never seen her since"
Captain Gray's voice shook a little as
he concluded his story.
How utterly ridiculous" exclaimed
Mildred. 'Why, 1t seems to me IL you
truly loved each other you would not
have quarreled, and yet-you have
never forgotten Aunt Lily, and She
why it is your picture that is on her
dressing table-a young officer in a
cap and uniformi"
"You are sure?" the captain bent
over her eagerly.
Positive. Come and see us, tomor-
row, Captain Gray, lam sure she
will he glad to see Yaur cried Mildred