The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-09
EVENING STORY
The Dolly Warden Gown.
BY SUSAN CLAGETT.

once belonged to the great aunt AFTER
whom she was named. She was look
ing for and hoping to find something
she could shape into a dress for the
dance on the Fourth Whenever she
was at a loss for finery Aunt Eleanor's
trunk had been a veritable treasure
trove, but so often had the girl gone
thru the contents she had small hope
of finding anything that would be
suitable for the party toward which
she was looking forward with more
than usual anticipation.
Aunt EIeanor's gowns were all OF
the heaviest brocades, velvets and
satins, so stiff they would stand alone.
She had never been stinted in money,
as her namesake frequently was, ana
rich dresses, with here and there
time stain, that had come from Lon
don and were of a bygone style, had
lain for long in the horsehair trunk
under the caves until young Eleanor
one morning pulled it into the light.
With little EXPLANATIONS of pleasure
she opened the carefully wrapped
packages and found herself heir to
much that was totally unsuited to her
youth and petite figure, even in a day
when maids were gowned in costly
stuff.
But when one loves dances and has
not the wherewithal to buy vanities,
the fact that material is unsuitable has
little weight, and she always carried
the day against her mothers more
certain judgment of things fit and I'M
fit. But if her gowns were not always
what she should have worn. that fact
was lost in the pleasure one found in
| looking at the animated face and the
absolute joyousness of the girl herself.
For this little story is of a time when
girls, young girls were not so sophis-
| ticated as at the present day and their
pleasures, coming far apart, made
| oil he
tho they usually were.
| This dance had been heralded for
weeks. General Washington had sig
nified his intention to be present,
pausing for a few hours in Upper
Marlborough on his way to Annapolis.
Naturally every one was on the qui
vive, and Eleanor Brooke forthwith
went into the attic to search for a
gown brave enough to do honor TO the
occasion.
She knew what she wanted and low
| ingly fingered the heavy brocade COW
cred with pink roses and the under
skirt of pink satin that had long been
her ut lost desire. And more daring
still was the wish to wear the gown
just as it was, quaint in its looped-up
! overdreSS and vatican plait-
| She shook out the folds of satin and
held it against her height. 1t was
long, very long, for Great Aunt Flea
nor had been a tall woman. But she
had also been slight, and when later
her namesake stood in her own loom
and twisted and turned before the mir
| ror to get a glimpse of her back, she
decided the only change needed was
in length.
1t was a lovely gown and she would
have been very Indifferent girl if she
had not been thrilled by the vision that
peered half shyly at her from the gilt
framed glass. 1t was the first time
her face had impressed her ana the
daintily colored oval with it's shining
eyes, Trained in waving hair, made
her wonder if it really was herself
Her color famed at deeper thought
which she tried t, hide from her Ion-
seriousness, but it would obtrude, and
at last she faced it Would he like
it?" Even to herself she hesitated to
call his name.
/ For before all others she wished to
appear fair in his sight. She gave no
thougi-- to other guests who would
come from Georgetown, Alexandria,
Baltimore and Annapolis on horse
back AMI in great coaches, drawn by
four horses. hour horses were always
used upon state occasions, and what
more important event could there be
than this ball. the first after the dec
laration of Independence? There had
been much rain and the roads were
deep and the maids in and about MARI
borough watched the clouds and
prayed for south wind that would
dry the mud while the young men If
the county made the assembly room
brave with flags and greenery.
Even with greatest interest Eleanor
Brooke watched the clouds, for she
lived a long way from Upper Marl-
borough and was to stay with her
grandmother at "Croome' over the
Fourth, and for a little visit thereafter.
would think the mud too deep to drive
;; from near Mattapony Landing. and
whenever that thought occurred there
was a sinking at her heart for fear
she might lose the long looked-for
pleasure.
But the day of her expected visit
rose clear and bright and with her
horse-hair trunk strapped tight on the
rumble and Uncle Glenn and Jake in
front, she set out with her mother for
"Croome."
1t was a weary way thru the mud
and night had fallen before the car
riage encircled the drive at her grand
, mothers, but WEAKNESS was forgotten
as she gazed out at the brightly
lighted windo rs and recognized voices
and faces as the house door was
, thrown open and a group of young peo-
: pie rushed out to greet her for
Eleanor was but one of a group of
cousins gathered together for the In
dependence ball.
Even as she spoke to the gay crowd
/ while waiting for Uncle Glenn TO let
down the carriage steps. Eleanor
looked about. longing. Vet afraid to
: meet the quizzical eyes of John Evers-
field. and her heart sank when she
did not see him. The pleasure she
anticipated turned to a dull ache and
she twisted her lace kerchief between
: her fingers as she leaned further for
ward hoping to gain a glimpse OF
: him
, Then pride came to her aid. He
IA he first 70
her, and she must not let this crowd
of cousins sense her disappointment
With a light laugh that well covered
the ache at her heart. she accepted
2, the extended hand of Allan Bowie and
5 descended from the high carriage.
This was two DAYS before the ball.
Il Isn't it too bad Ruth Worthing-