Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-03-19
a GOWN OF
LAVENDER SILK
Bv MRS. BESSIE .. DucEY

fu--uHs---un----nii-
jackson Grey and had Quarrelled
on Thanksgiving eve, but as we we're
beth guests at Aunt Eiizabeth's we
had agreed TO say nothing OF the brok-
en- en- agement until after the holiday.
Under protest | consented to wear
the diamond circlet few days long
er.
1t was Thansgiv.ng night At din.
ner Jack and ! managed to carry on
a desultory conversation. but l was
conscious that my laughter was
strained and that Aunt Elizabeth was
eovertly watching us. There were to
be tableaux in the evening and the
young people had been given the free
dom Of the garret. with Its trunks and
chests Of dainty. oid-fashioned hnery
{ felt little interest in the general
merriment and hastily selected \
gown Of lavender silk, from whose
folds l shook out little sprigs Of its
fragrant namesake. l slipped II on.
brushed back my hair and tied 1t
loosely at the nape Of the neck with
1 wide lavender ribbon. and then ran
Town to the library to be alone with
my unhappy thoughts.
Aunt Elizabeth was sitting by the
open CRATE and sprang to her feet
With low cry as went up to her.
"Child. how you frightened mel"
she exclaimed rs she drew down my
ace and Kissed me tenderly. For a
moment l thought was seeing my
own ghost"
curlec myself up on q rug at her
feet. WAS this your gown7" asked
curiously.
She slipped her fingers under my
chin and lifted my face until ! met
her glance. but abe chose to ignore
ny question.
"Have you. and Tack quarrelled
Marlan7" she asked. gravely.
dropped my lashes lest she see
the quick ears in my eyes. and felt
q hot flush creep up in my cheeks.
Tell me. child. there is no trouble
between you and Jack. Is there?" Her
voice was troubled
"I'll tell you tomorrow" I said at
last in a husky whisper.
attem ted to rise. but she gently
pushed me bacK end drew me closer
to her.
You asked ma II the gown you are
wearing was mine," she said. quietly.
II am going to tell you a story about
It."
Her voice was very low and sweet.
and she falterei now and then az she
continued.
Il wore It only once. It was on
another Thanksgiving night years ago.
way back incl. That night the One
Man in the world asked mo to be his
wife and l gave him my promise. He
slipped onto my finger a little gold
circlet, much simpler than yours.
dear"-she touched the bright stones
on my hand that caught the red
CLEANS from the frelight-"and l was
the Lappiest girl in the town. But
soon cloud came between us-the
dark war cloud thAt was shadowing
the nation. Nearly every other young
man in the neighborhood had enlist.
ed; he alone remained at home.
Occasional sighting remarks
aroused my temper. and Christmas
eve l told him plainly that his duty
was to be at the front with the
others. He was deeply hurt, and said
sadly that his mother was a Southern
woman and he could lot break her
heart by fighting against her own
people. l taunted him and called
him 'Cowardi' a name a man never
fOrglves cl forgets from a woman's
lips. He pleaded with me to take
back the word. but was reckless and
Passionate and we parted in anger
forever"
The last word was a wall Of hope
less sorrow wrung from her by men,
ories OF the past
"The next day he enlisted" shs
went en-. sadly. land he did not re-
turn until the war was over. He
found his mother dead and his home
1esolate. A year later he went South
again to bring back his bride"
She bent down close to me and
again lifted my face to hers.
Child, don't break Jacks heart and
your own. He is worthy Of you.
know It. Trust him"
sudden illumination came to me:
Jackson Grey's mother 7as a South.
ern woman. ut wasn't his father!"
asked wonderingly.
She bent her mead silently and hot
tears fell on my forehead.
Jacks fatherl" And now I was
sending Jack away, perhaps forever.
The thought was unbearable and
broke into choking sobs. while her
arms held me stlll closer In their
tender clasp.
ut was all my fault" / whispered,
but it's too late now to call him
back"
Then someone sprang froIa a crouch
that stood In a far corner, completely
concealed by the deep shadows. In
an instant jackson Grey was kneel
ing by my side at Aunt Elizabeth's
knee. holding my hands tightly.
Forgive me for listening he plead
ed. Il must have been asleep and
your voices woke me-"
"Mariaa dear" ne said tenderiy |
looking searehingly into my wet eyes
"it Isn't too late. I've Just been wait
Ing for you to tell me so"
Aunt Elizabeth bent swiftly and |
kissed me. then laid one hand lightly |
on Jacks head. Before he could speak |
she rose and turned away, but he |
sprang to his feet and overlook her
before she reached the door