The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-26
TIE EVENING STORY
A Girl of Yesterday.

IT'S no use-not the least" Dora
said despondently. though ner lips
curled family Wear that-thing to
the Marstons! 1 won't. That's fiat.
don't expect, of course, to have
things like other girls-but this once
well 1t seems to me, if father
Shut upi' Prudence, her elder.
worn and worried, said imperatively
Nag me all you want to. but leave
father out. The salt of the earth
that's what he $50 good 1 don't see
how he can have f1irty, fiighty child
such as you"
Dora was used to such sisterly
amenities. There were just the two
of them-father did not count. I'm
lucky, mild, the soul of honor, he had
talent for losing whatever he ven
tured, so had ceased from venturing
not quite voluntarily, to be sure.
Squire Hexly, his wife's father, had
tied up his daughters portion, so it
Injured solely to the benefit of the two
girls. 1t was safely invested-so safe
ly the income was mighty slender.
Prudence's careworn face.
Prudence Lived her father passion
ately-because she understood him.
The fine fibre that made it impossible
for him to be shrew and money max
ing seemed to her the most wonder
full thing in the world. She petted
him nstratively-chiefly in the
way of cooking what he liked, ex-
activ as he liked it. Further, she
made Dora keep the peace-mainly
by giving the young lady much more
than was equitably hers. But she had
refused the new party dress, firmly,
and spent herself on refurbishing an
old one. Dora had already spent
much more than her share OF the joint
income-and Prudence was bent upon
buying her father a new greatcoat-
he had needed one for two winters at
least.
Commonly, she either coaxed Dora
out of the sulkss or ended them by
herself giving in. This time she did
| took up her shears, saying over her
shoulder. eff you are so set against
this dress, I know a girl that'n be
glad to have it. 1t only needs a lit
tie shortening and bit off the waist
measure to make it fit. Elinor Lee
''She shan't have tits my dress
even if I don't mean to wear it, =
Dora flashed out. Hateful thing
She'd feel fine as Friday-though she
knew everybody was laughing at her,
because she had on my CASTOR
Clothes"
you don't want them to laugh at
her 1 suppose" Prudence said argu-
tentatively.
Dora gave her whitening look say
ing, You know I don't want her to go.
She's so uppish and forward always
pushing herself into everything"
Il say she's nice-always trying to
help along. Tastes differ Prudence
cOuntered IOftily, still clutching the
! shears. GAS you say=this is your
frock Wonder if I haven't got some
thing that might do for Elinor ?
There's my graduating dress-you
turn up your nose at it-but those
| old-fas hioned rosebud silks are coming
back again.
Give it to her ard we1come-if she
| comes in it, she will be worse than
a laughing stock" Dora said scowl-
/ ing.
Prudence turned sharply on her.
you're my blood-whether or no,
she said. Don't let a beau, more or
less, make you so mean and hateful
You're afraid Elinor will cut you out
with Tazewen Gray. I hope she won't
hes the best chance you'll ever have
but you won't get him by being sc
despicable. He has eyes that see deep
er than a pretty face-even If it is
yours
"Yet-you won't help me- Dora
snuffed, hiding her eyes. you know
how particular he is-that's why
must have something new
you can't! That's the word with
the bark on it, Prudence retorted
But if you'll be sensible, I'll drape
my lace shawl over this green satin
and then nobody will know it isn't
new-right straight from the city,
It was an enormous sacrifice-made
in the interest of peace and matri-
mony. Dora knew 1.-THE lace shawl
was. next to her conscience. Pru-
dence's most cherished possession, an
heirloom, fine and costly, descen ded
from a great gran mother, to whom
fine and costly things were not rare
| 1t would give distinction to any frock.
Instantly, Dora was smiling. She even
patted her sisters hand, saying, 80,
but you are clever, Prue. l won't be
naughty again for a whole month";
/ Then the two fell to work with the
| result that Prudence had time next
day to fit the rosebud silk to slight
pretty Elinor Leland feel more
than rewarded by the girls shy yet
genuine gratitude
"You=you are-better than a fairy
eodmother. Miss Prue," she said
because this beautiful frock won't
turn to rags even if 1 do dance on
past IL o'clock"
The Marston dance reached almost
the dignity of a ball. Dora was easily
the belle of it-tall and dashing. vivid
in color. mobile of face, she caught
every eve The TRANSPORTED green
satin became her as no other gown
had ever done. 1t swathed her slen-
der. curving shape n1odestly, yet al
iluringly. Because she knew she was
looking her best, she was at her best
Until the unexpected happened.
| EIinor was unaccountab1y late in
coming Truth to tell. she has come
long before the rest, and spent the
interval in helping kind Mrs. Mars
| ton with the fine, last details of sup
ner. She had been wise enough to
rest afterward-even to sleep a little
| while. As a result she came among
fhe dancers dewy-eyed, and as rosily
fresh as the flowers upon her frock
They had held color, and showed fine
w against a ground once white but
now the softest cream. The low bodice
had a lace bertha at top--the frost
-