The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-03-21


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
80 cents
How do you know" asked Luella.
Il went into Miss Kline's millinery
store and asked to see pink geranium
flowers. and she showed me q bunch
just like Corneia's. and it was 80
cents"
Did Cornelia buy hers there?' ask
ed the other women eagerly.
Il 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 mem
bers will be here and Cornelia too"
We'll 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.
rs that Cornelia ahead?' asked Mrs.
Peters, peering nearsightedly up the
road.
Yes" replied Lucia Barton grimly.
"She's just going in her gate"
"Cornelia's terrible dressy" sighed
Mrs. Peters 81 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 Il
furtive glance at her friend.
Il suppose you mean me- retOrted
Mrs. Peters. with an offended laugh.
y 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 Inc on the street"
u suppose that's why he spends 50
much time down to the postolice," re
marked LuelIa maliciousiy as she
stalkcd into her front yard and closed
the gate with vicious snap
Mrs Peters did not reply Her blue
eyes grew watcry. 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 frosted along
home.
Eyes" said Mrs. Wixon. busting
about her small paror Hospitality the
following afternoon; we're all here
except Cornelia Rowland herself. l
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 TWEEN
ty-five in all. Without exception they
were shabbily attircd. Some We're
even slovenly in their dress. while
many were neatly but poorly dressed;
but, representing, as they did, 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 We're a shifting of chairs and Il
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 was 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 pruneIla
CATERS. She wore no hat.
She nodded seriously to the assem-
bled women and took Il chair which
Mrs. Nixon indicated. AS she seated
herself she found that she was con
fronting the members of the society,
" me 4hlS. w lAOu. as us pIGSluGIl. was
seated beside her in a huge Boston
rocker.
They all rocked silently for a few
seconds; then Mrs. Wixon got upon
her feet and adjusted a pair Of steel
bowed spectaclcs upon her nose. The
women were looking at COrnelia Row
lands fresh attire and whispering
among themselves.
"Silencer' commanded Mrs. Wixon
sharply. There was a rustic of protest
among the members; then they settled
themselves eXpectauty.
eve are gathered here this after
noon,' continued the president grave
ly, ito consider the action of one of
our members in breaking the tenth
rule"
There was a murmur of approval
Il will give in few words the
hist'ry Of the Give 1t Up society, and
then the members can agree upon
whether Cornelia Rowlands behavior
is becoming to member"
81 guess Id like to speak few
words for myself" said Cornelia Row
land, arising with unexpected spirit
and fixing her mild eyes upon Mrs
WiXon's heated comtcnancc
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