The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-29

but your mother sent me here"
ITO see Vi" The words rang IN
Lily'S head. Philip had always loved
vi, since the little girl days when he
asked her to marry him and he was
worth ten Bob Taylors. But Philip
had the field to himself. Before she
could stop herself Lily told him of her
indignation because vi must dance in
an old gown.
Philip laughed us she as sweet as
ever?' he demanded.
~"Sweeter,' said the enthusiastic
Lily.
i've come back to marry her If
can" said the young man. Il felt
hadn't right to ask her until 1 was
able to support a wife"
Lily confided the news to Pansy
that night. Il believe vi always liked
him best, but she couldn't understand
why he didn't write"
The following week there came for
vi a package by express.
1t was wonderful gown, all white
and silver, with an underSlip of palest
green. There was wreath of white
violets for the red-gold hair and a
trailing bunch of the same flowers for
her corsage. There was no card, no
name, but at last they found a slip
of paper on which was written in fem
mime script:
Ask no questions, dear. but wear,
This pretty gown to make you fair.
"I believe Philip Boone sent it," Lily
confded late that night to Pansy, but
was afraid to say so to mother, for
Of course vi couldn't accept it under
such circumstances
well, mother thinks it came from
Aunt Felicia, and she's going to write
and find out: but anyhow Violet can
wear it to the Charity Ball, and Iris
won't outshine her this time
Violet was the belle of the Charity
Ball. Even Iris delicate beauty could
not compete with the youth and rap
ture which gave her sister such won
derful charm.
Isn't she a beauty?" Philip Boone
said to Lily, ecstatically. Where in the
suits her down to the ground"
$50 he didn't send it," said Lily, when
she could get Pansy in a corner, but
who did?''
That night vi crept into Lily's room.
"Oh, Lily. Lily she said. I'm so
glad that Iris switched Bob Taylor off,
why, dearest?"
Because like Philip best. I always
did. But when he went away to col
lege and then went into business, and
didn't write. I decided that he didn't
care any more. And SO 1 tried to get
1ltSISSL6d III OLIlSr people, AND BOD
was so kind-and wanted to be loved
to be happy-and so I thought I could
be content with second best-but 1
couldn't-and now Philip wants to mar
ny me-and I told him I would-Lily.'
A letter fom Aunt Felicia came the
next moning. "Of course I didn't send
the Dress it said, Il haven't money
for such frivolities."
"Then, who sent it?'' the little moth
er asked. Suddenly her face hardened.
do you suppose that some man was
impairment enough to do it? If so,
you can't wear it again, vi. Never
it is preposterous."
"Oh, mother" Wis eyes were full
of tears. There's the MERGERS dance
tomorrow, and I haven't anything
else"
But Just the same. you mustn't be
seen in it"
Then Iris, who had been looking
out of the window, came forward. Let
her wear it, mother" she said gently.
IT bought it, At her astonishing de-
claration the girls gasped, but she went
on steadily. 1T wasn't until saw vi
in that frumpy green gown the other
night that realized how selfish 1 had
been. Sol sold the ring Aunt Felicia
gave me last year, and bought the
gown. I didn't want to be unfair. If
if Bob liked vi best-I wanted him to
have her. But, now that she's engaged
to PhiHp-it won't hurt her if marry
Bob. W.
The younger sister flew to her. you
darling" she said, and her head went
down on Iris Copyright,
1912. Associated Literary Press.)