Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1908-04-23
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Little Woman in Blue.


cepted Stella's offer OF help with the
dressing.
Miss FamiltOn's lingerie was hardly
less costly and dainty than my lady's
OF to-day. White silk hose and satin
slippers; multiplied skirts more lace
than cambria; the combination of lao
and blue silk tissue that was the filr2y
little gown-with careful hands Stella
unpacked and laid them, a snowy
heap. on the bed
The toilet went slowly. Stella had
been taught a decent respect for the
human body; and her innate love Of
beauty and order had blossomed into
an honest personal neatness But
such complicated hair-dressing. such
caressing Of eyebrow and lash: such
critical attention to hands and nails:
the bathing hot and cold: the rub
bling and patting Of cheek and arm, be-
fore lotion, powder and a wee touch OF
rouge went on: the examinations at
each stage with hand glass and mir
ror, Stella holding one OF the lamps
which she continually adjusted to new
angles OF ref1ection-this was An amaz-
ing revelation to her Of Eve-old fem
mime alteration At the altar OF self
adornment
A rap at the door and the hearty
voice Of Mr.. Croker called from with
out: How's the ankle, Amabel? How
soon will you be ready"
Better, thank you, Uncle Charley.
You may come for me in five min
utes. I can do by myself now" she
continued to Stella as her uncle walked
down the hall. It's splendidly kind Of
you to help me, and so beautifully II
you ever need work l can get you a
position as lady's maid I'll give you q
fetching character
Stella WINGED, yet chided herself
for It, She knew Miss Hamilton was
only in fun" Still how could this
delicately reared city girl believe such
a big, awkward creature as herself
capable of filing any but a mental po-
sition? The real unkindness for which
Miss Hamilton failed to apologize. the
scant minutes she had left Stella for
her own toilet. went unnoticed; for
Stella was too generous a giver to
count the cost of her givings
In her own room she smiled to her
self while she quickly made ready,
coiling as usual her thick waving hair,
but adding her golden combs" slip
ping hurriedly into her simple white
gown and It's simpler accompaniment.
A cluster Of tiger lilies, an offering
from fower-loving Vic Wah, caught
her eye. She pinned them on her
breast, and fastened downstairs, meet
ing Sally B. and Viola in the hall
oh, here you be. What made you
50 late? I was jest comm fur you 1
see they've reserved a seat On both
sides O. AL Vincent's Ones fur you,
/ reckon I'm sittin' third from Char
ley Crocker-big bugs is next to him
-an'-cut my shoesrrings, You look
splendiferous," she exclaimed as they
came under the lamp.
Don't she, MAJ" echoed Viola,
heartily.
Say, honey, them tiger lilies suits
you; an I'd never "a thought 1t. They
got colors in 'em like 20 hair an
eyes, shores yo're born. Then they're
kinder secret an powerful lookin', like
they could do things to all the other
flowers"
What an odd idea" Stella said won
deringly.
rs 1t? Well nobody won't git their
secrets a-studyin' Of their looks; no
more will they your'n, Stella Your
face gifts secreter an eleganter every
day" Sally B. never paused for q
word. 1t might not be the right one
but her meaning carried, as the
message Of the master in spite of poor
instrument and laundering fingers.
The band was playing as they en-
tered.
Stella's quick eye noted with sudden
aversion the three reserved chairs
and the absence of Alfred and Miss
Hamilton. Let me sit on this side
with you and Viola, won't you, Mis-,
Sally" she asked softly.
But there's no seat on this side
chicken" Sally BIS whisper was fal
audible.
A gentleman rose at once and OF
fered his arm, which Stella accepted
to save further confusion. She wa!
resy with embarrassment, though NJ
other hint OF it showed in her stated,
walk around the long table. Ant
Sally B. watched delightedly the fol
lowing of admiring eyes.
Stella was hardly seated when Mis-
Hamilton entered, leaning on Alfred
arm in the dependent style OF tn
time.
Miss Hamilton had timed her con
ing to that awkward instant common
to banquets, when all await some II
comprehensive delay, and when an.
diversion is welcome The two walke
slowly down the long room. Miss Ham
iIton's step and movements SO pei
fectly artful that they seemed artles
i young women were so trained Their