Gilpin observer., 1918-11-28
THE NEW DRESS
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.
sopyright, 1918. BY Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate)


week." announced Maude, looking up
from the story she was reading. Il
must have white one. saw n beauty
at is yesterday-georgette crepe,
with the loveliest lace! 1 wish you'd
buy 1t for me-"
Her mother hesitated. "Don't you
think you could get along with your
last years dress, dear?"
"Oh, mammal" exclaimed Maude
ave worn. that everywhere I've been
this summer. I'm tired of It; besides,
it's all worn at the sleeves. couldn't
wear that, and you wouldn't have me,
either"
"But everything costs so much now"
circulated her mother. Couldn't you
manage some way?"
81 don't know how I could get along
without dress. really, mamma" re-
turned Maude. "You'd want me to look
as well as the other girls, wouldn't
your. Mamie's going to have new
one, and Tn sure Helen Bates will.
You don't want me to look shabby"
"How much would the new dress
cost 2" asked Mrs. Pope. weakening.
"Forty dollars-but it's beauty!
It's really worth It,"
The mother sighed That seemed such
a great price o~pay for one dress,
when everything was so dear. and
money was needed to help the soldiers;
hut still, she did not like to disappoint
Maude.
Just then Mr.. Pope came in, putting
from the heat, but smiling and good
natured. He was generally in good
humor. rt
'Dadw exclaimed Maude, "mamma's
been objecting to my having new
dress for the lawn party. My old one
is quite shabby. You'd want me to
have new one, wouldn't you, dad?
You old DEAR" She flung her arms
about her fathers neck. She knew he
never could deny her anything when
she coaxed.
swell, guess we. can raise the
money, grille but don't choke me-" he
laughed. ''We nights well LET her have
it If she wants it." he added, turning to
his wife.
"Oh, you darling! ~ cried Maude. hug
ging him. I'm so happy! I'm. going
She'll have something beautiful to
wear, know; but guess mine1l he
just as pretty as hers. You'll be proud
of me in my new dress, dad"
Maude, all smiles. ran over to tell
the good news to her friend. She found
Helen sewing on piece of dotted mus
lin. what are you doing, Helen?" she
asked.
I'm making myself new dress for
the lawn party" beamed Helen. hold
ing 1t up to view. "See! It's nearly
done. made 1t all myself; and 1t cost
just S6.75. Isn't it a dear?"
Maude looked at the dress, amazed.
1t was a pretty dress, hut so plain, not
particle of lace, just tiny ruffles. 1t
was not like the dresses Helen usually
Wore. Eyes, it's very pretty" she fail
tered.
She felt almost ashamed to- tell
Helen what her dress was going to
cost. If Helen, one OF the richest c"ls
in town, could wear dress costing
S6.75, why should she pay $40 for one?
Perhaps mother was right, after all.
'It's really pretty" repeated Maude,
'hut-I thought-you'd have some
thing really fine, as you always do.
Papa's going TO buy me one. It's
swcll!' she enthused, remembering
the coveted dress. you usually have
something so much more elaborate
than this"
YES" smiled Helen, "but I'm be-
ginning to think I've been quite fool
ish to spend so much on dress, espe-
cially now. when so much is needed
for the war. We've been talking it
over. mamma and l. We both wanted
to give all we could to the Red Cross,
and decided If / bought the muslin
and made the dress myself, l should
have almost the entire cost of the
dress to give .away-and look just ms
well, too. You see, they need so much
for the soldiers over there mamma
and l are saving all we can to help"
This was new idea to Maude. and
she began to think.
II suppose could get along with n
cheaper DRESS" she admitted. "Papa
would give me the money, and could
save part of it,"
dol" cried Helen enthusiastically.
Couldn't you make 1t yourself, and
save more? I'll help you"
"Why, I never made dress In my
lfe," confessed Maudc. 81 shouldn't
know how"
ITS quite easy. after you once be-
gin," encouraged Helen. "I'll show you
how to do it, You see, I've got, my
hand In" she laughed. "Comc, Let's
go downtown and buy the goods and
begin right Of"
For tdle next week Maude was very
busy. and very hnppy-hnppier than
ever before In her life. for she was
doing something to help others. She