Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-11-08

- -S ~ ho'O q hlllC individually.
oh" said Grandmother Hilton. "Of
course you're right, DEAR" she said,
after a moments reflection, but since
it makes her so unhappy don't you
think it would be better to let her
wear the old oneH"
when she has perfectly new
one?" cried Mr.. Martin, desperately.
AT this moment Harriet's tear stain.
ed face appeared in the doorway.
Then can | not go to the party,
mother?" she hiccoughed.
Harriet" said her mother, sternly,
you will go to that party and you will
wear the very pretty and unusual
looking dress that l got for you. Not
another word, please"
Harriet gave vent to her feelings in
sudden loud howl. "Ohl" she walled.
"How can you be so mean to me? |
don't mind a bit staying at home If
you will let me, but it will just kill
me to wear that dress. There isn't
another girl in the world that has one
like it. can't bear to wear it."
Mrs. Martin looked at her own
mother. Did you ever hear anything
like it? It's ridiculous% she exclaim-
ed, forlornly.
The atmosphere of the household
was fraught with gloom during the
rest of the day. Harriet's swollen
eyes and general air OF desolation
gave the place the effect Of tomb.
When Harriet's fnther-who went up
on the general principle that Harriet
should be allowed to do exactly as she
pleased SO long az 1t would do her no
bodily injury-came home and learned
the cause Of his daughters deep de-
preston, he laughed.
"Well, for goodness sake, why don't
you let the kid wear the old one?" he
inquired.
Then he observed the firm line
made by his wifes lips and he knew
there was no use in. discussing the
matter further. A new silver dollar
bestowed on Harriet helped to relieve
the tension, but the watery little smile
which he received was far cry from
the joyous peal Of laughter that he
had hoped for. Consequently he too,
was depressed and silent.
After Harriet had gone to school
the next morning Mrs. Martin, with
the air Of defiant culprit, took the
bone Of contention into her mothers
room. Nov, isn't It pretty dress?"
she asked. belligerently.
Indeed It u.s." said Grandmother
Hilton with enthusiasm. ITS Just as
pretty as II can be, but 1t is rather
different from the way most of the
girls dresses are made, isn't IT,"
81 wanted It to be different" said
Mrs. Martin, obstinately. 1T is 80
much prettier than the way dresses
are made now and want Harriet to
have a little independence"
Grandmother Hilton smoothed out
the soft folds gently. There was no
hint Of guile in her tone, nor was
there in her sweet face when she
spoke again.
Don't you think 1t needs pressing,
Genevieve?" she asked. Suppose
you let me run down to the kitchen
and smooth II out little"
"0h, will you, MOTHER" said Mrs.
Martin gladly. ut does need pressing
and I'm so rushed this morning that I
don't see how I'll get time to do It."
Grandmother Hiltons face was still
as innocent as that Of a newborn
babe when she began gently to run
the iron over the delicate little frock.
It was surely no fault of hers that
she was suddenly the victim Of an at
tack Of sneezing. II was not until she
had sneezed three times rather de-
liberately that she remembered she
had left the hot iron resting on the
hlmy frock. When she lifted It the
imprint Of the whole iron showed
plainly. In one place the material
was burned quite through! Mutely
she. gathered up the dress and meekly
she laid the evidence Of her evil do
ings before her daughter.
I'm afraid I'm getting very care
less and forgetful, dear" she said
contritely. 1T was unforgivable."
Mrs. Martins feelings were too deep
for words. o
It was a very happy, gay Harriet
who danced out Of the house that
afternoon on her way to the party,
wearing her beloved little old ffock
that was Just like the other girls"
Her mother and her grandmother
watched her lovingly uAtil she had
trotted around the corner. Then Mrs.
Martins expression became slightly
cynical 4.
what fortunate accident that was
for Harriet" she said as she turned
and left the. wicked grandmother on
the steps.