Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-10-27

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pink flowers for her ponner ana mas
wore 'em to church two Sundays.
Last Sunday l spoke to her about it.
and she said nothing and did nothing.
Today she wore 'em again. and now
we've got to take some action. That
bunch of flowers never cost less than
so cents"
How do you know?" asked Luella.
II 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 it was so
cents"
did Cornelia buy hers there?" ask.
ed the other women eagerly.
II asked Miss Kline. and she wouldn't
say. She's terrible close mouthed. you
know"
Il know" nodded Mrs. Peters sage
ly. when is the meeting to be-"
Tomorrow afternoon. here. t o my
house." said Mrs. Wixon. "and | hope
you'll both come. All the other mem
bers will be here and Cornelia too"
Wen come" said the other women.
moving along the road.
'Goodby!." said the president of the
Give 1t Up society as she painted up
the graveled walk.
SIS that Cornelia aheud?" 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. Il always liked Cornelia
Rowland. but | always thought she
was fond of clothes.
1--WE seen other people that's fond Of
Clothes" shifted Miss Barton. with a
furtive glance Il; her friend.
II suppose you mean me-" retorted
Mrs, Peters. with an offended laugh.
II 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 seer with NE ON the street"
II suppose that's why he spends so
much time down to the poStotfice." 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 Il deep pink. but she did
not weep. There were suppressed woe
and anger in the look that followed
LneIla> g:Iunl form INTO the front
door Then Mary Peters trot1ed 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 Il 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 twen-
ty-ive in all. Without exception they
were shabbily attired. Some were
even ~slovenly in their dress. while
many were neatly but poorly dressed:
but. representing, as they did. a pros.
porous farming community. a 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 a
buzzing undertone as the harsh bell
Changed through the house.
Then Mrs. Wixon. with grave impor
lance 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 a straight back and a trim
figure. She had meek brown eyes and
soft brown hair parted over her smooth
brow. Her skin vas faded. with a few
lines here and there. She wore a spot
lessly clean white muslin dress. with a
white ribbon belt. and her feet were
shod with old fashioned black prunella
CATERS. She wore no hat.
She nodded seriously to the assem-
bled women. and took a chair which
Mrs. Nixon indicated. Az she seated