Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-09-30

huu SUE sdIu uulnllS anu ulQ OOlnlnB.
Today she wore 'em again. and now
we've got to take some action. That
bunch Of flowers never cost less than
90 cents.'
How do you knowf" asked Luella.
81 went into Miss Kline's millinery
store and asked to see pink geranium
flowers, and she showed me a bunch
just like COrnelia's. and 1t was 30
cents"
Did Cornelia buy hers thereT ask
ed the other women eagerly.
81 asked Miss Kline, and she wouldn't
say. She's terrible close mouthed, you
know"
81 know" nodded Mrs. Peters sage
ly. when is the meeting to be-"
Tomorrow afternoon, here, to my
house." said Mrs. Wixon, "and / hope
you'll both come. All the other men,
bers will be here and Cornelia too"
well come" said the other women,
moving along the road.
Goodbye said the president Of the
Give 1t Up society as she painted up
the graveled walk.
as that Cornelia ahead I" asked Mrs
Peters, peering nearsightedly up the
road.
"Yes," replied Luella Barton grimly.
"She's just going In her gate"
"Cornelia's terrible dressy." sighed
Mrs. Peters. 81 always liked Cornelia
Rowland, but I always thought she
was fond Of clothes
"Pve seen other people that's fond Of
Clothes" shifted Miss Barton, with a
furtive glance at her friend.
81 suppose you mean me-" retorted
Mrs Peters, with an offended laugh.
81 don't care If do like to look nice.
My husband says I've looked so shah
by the last year that he's ashamed to
be seen with me on the street"
81 suppose that's why he spends so
much time down to the postoffice," re-
marked Luella maliciously as she
stalked into her front yard and closed
| the gate with a vicious snap.
Mrs. Peters did not reply. Her blue
| eyes grew watery, and her thin little
nose turned a deep pink, but she did
not weep. There were suppressed woe
and anger in the look that followed
| Luella's gaunt form into the front
door. Then Mary Peters trotted along
home.
"Yes," said Mrs. Wixon, bustling
| about her small parlor Hospitality the
following afternoon; were all here
except Cornelia Rowland herself.
expect she'll be here presently"
There was a murmur of approval
among the assembled ladies who COM
prised the members of the Give 1t Up
society. Seated about the stuffy lit.
tie room they numbered about TWEEN
ty-five in ALL Without exception they
were shabbily attired. Some were
even slovenly in their dress. while
many We're neatly but poorly dressed;
but, representing, as they did, pros.
porous farming community, stranger
would have been surprised at the lack
of taste or beauty in their garments.
Even the younger women wore thread.
bare gowns.
Here comes Cornelia," whispered
Mrs. Peters from her seat in the front
window.
There were a shifting of chairs and O
buzzing undertone as the harsh bell
changed through the house.
Then Mrs. Wixon, with grave impor
tance depicted on her round face, ush
cred into the room the erring member
of the Give 1t Up society.
Cornelia Rowland was small and
thin, with straight back and a trim
figure. She had meek brown eyes ant
soft brown hair parted over her smooth
brow. Her skin was faded, with q few
lines here and there. She wore spot
lessly clean white muslin dress, with {
white ribbon belt, and her feet were
shod with old fashioned black prunells
CATERS. She wore no hat.
She nodded seriously to the assem-
bled women and took a chair which
Mrs. Nixon indicated. AS she seatet
herself she found that she was con
fronting the members of the society
while Mrs Wixon, as its president, wa
seated beside her In huge Bostol
rocker.
They all rocked silently for few
seconds; then Mrs. Wixon got upol
her feet and adjusted a pair Of stee
bowed spectacles upon her nose. TIL
women were looking at Cornelia Row
lands fresh attire and whispering
among themselves.
"Silence!' commanded Mrs. Wixol
sharply. There was a rustic of protes
among the members; then they settle
themselves expectantly.
"We are gathered here this aftel
noon,' continued the president grave
ly, "to consider the action of one G
our members in breaking the tent
rule"
There was murmur Of approval.
81 will give in a few words th
hist'ry of the Give 1t Up society, an
then the members can agree upo
whether Cornelia Rowlands behavio
Is becoming to member"
81 guess I'd like to speak fe'
words for myself" said Cornelia Row
land, arising with unexpected spir
and fixing her mild eyes upon Mr.
WiXon's heated countenance.
Anybody got any objection
wheezed Mrs. Wixon, looking appr
hensively about the room.
There was no answer, and Mrs. Wi
on lurched into her chair. leaving Il
: floor to Cornelia Rowland.
The latter faced the assembled W
men. There was an obstinate lii
| about her pleasant mouth, and her so
: eyes wore look Of new determin
tion. She famed herself with blat
l. silk fan for'a few moments before 81
I began. and then she closed II with