Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-09-01
The
Ur:Il,lul i
Dress
By r1oaEson oADp1s PIPER.

By FLoRRNoE oADDIs PIPER.
S.o.o.o>O.o.o.e.v-o.o.o.,.,e
; well. suppose 1 must wear that
white silk Of mine, and / do hate
to-" said Janet Winton.
What's the matter with your
white silk? think it's the prettiest
dress you have" spoke up Margaret.
Il know it's pretty enough re-
piled Janet. but something unlucky
always happens to me when have
1t on. The very first thing, 1t didn't
come home in time to wear to your
dance. You know, Clara; then the first
time did wear 1t that clumsy DR..
Mailing whirled cup Of coffee in my
lap and none OF us could think Of the
right thing to remove coffee stains.
I tried all the sure cures, but the
skirt had to be made over again. And
then only last week when Mr.. Wells
called to take US to the Stein Club
concert again put It on and in go
ing through the hallway from my room
to the stairs in the dark dashed
against cupboard door that was
ajar and my poor pug nose was near.
ly smashed fiat for minute or two
and then 1t became the size OF three
noses and I had to stay home"
Janet Winton was relating her
troubles with lugubrlous counter.
ance to some Of the girls OF the af-
ternoon sewing club. The members
were talking over dance at which
they were to be hostesses.
Why don't you wear that pretty
dotted muslin?' suggested Margaret
Field
''oh. because Dr. Mailing stepped
on the flounce OF that and tore it:
besides, it's soiled and dingy now. as
are all my frocks. replied Janet.
'Dr. Mailing seems bent ON mutilat-
ing all your dresses. Why do you
have him around II he is so destruc.
tive?" asked one of the girls.
Janet blushed roshy as she an
swered, Il don't have him around, as
you put 1t. Nellie. 1t Just happens
whenever ] zee him he seems to be
all feet and hands,"
And heart, too." added Margaret.
The night of the dance arrived and
there could not have been dalntier,
disastrous white silk 1t was pref.
prettier little maid than Janet in the
ty dress. all tucks and ruffles and
chiffon. A deep red rose tucked in
the belt gave the color 1t needed and
Janet tripped up and down the draw
ing room waiting for her mother.
i wonder II DIR. Mailing will really
call and go with us. don't care #
he doesn't--yes. j do care.' unused
Janet 81 know that he is awkward
and shy and is afraid to ask any OF
the girls to dance with him because
he steps on their toes more than the
floor. but, then. most clever men are
ungraceful. What was it Margaret
said about his heart? There's the
bell-maybe It's the DOCTOR" and ia
net stopped her pacing and sat decor
ously in a low chair by the fireplace.
The ruddy glow of the burning wood
flashing brightly on her and then
Pickering down, made very pretty
picture. So. thought DR. Mailing, any.
how, as he entered the room.
Janet arose and held out welcom-
ing hand. which the doctor took in
his timidly.
I thought, Miss Janet, would stop
in on my way to the Leonard School,
where l address the class tonight"
said. the doctor.
why, are you not going to Mrs.
Nelson's dancer asked Janet.
No. but suppose you are" re.
piled the doctor Won't you sit
where you were when came in "
he continued. Il don't want to dis
turb you." The fact was he wanted
the chance to further admire the cosey
picture the girl made. though he didn't
think of telling her SO.
Janet turned towards the fire
again. Not for the world would she
let him see the tears that threatened
to overflow, but the fire had partly
burned down by now and the light
was rather dull.
tits just Jas well I'm not going
Miss Janet 6or you know how clumsy
am. It's an infection to ask any
one to dance with me. My feet dom
seem to propel as they should"
We'll doctor. must confess that
] have known better dancers, but you
should not become discouraged" said
Janet
That's comforting, and ! might
have tried again tonight" the doctor
said good naturedly. but the boys
are rather backward on certain
branch of surgery. SO y.u and YOU
friends will be spared boarish part
ner.''
"pont excuse yourself, doctor. W.
all know you'd rather be shut up al
night in stuffy lecture room tellin:
the students things about their ana
tony that they are too sleepy to lis
ten to than to dance or to talk t,
the wittiest or the prettiest girl ii
Durvilie."
Janet smiled merrily as she sal
this, for she was still striving, t
hide the pain and disappointment tina
was in her heart because the docto
would not be one Of the guests at tn
dance.