The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-11-12
THE NEW DRESS
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.
copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

Mamma, I've got to have a new
dress to wear to the lawn party next
week." announced Maude, looking up
from the story she was reading. Il
must have a white one. saw beauty
at J-'s acknowledgements crepe.
with the lovellest lacei 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, mamma |" exclaimed Maude,
1--WE worn that everywhere I've been
this summer. I'm tired Of 1t; 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"
calculated her mother. Couldn't you
manage some wayT"
ST don't know how could get along
without a dress, really, mamma" re-
turned Maude. "You'd want me to look
as well as the other girls, wouldn't
you? NAMES going to have new
one, and I'm sure Helen Bates will.
"How much would the new dress
costY asked Mrs. Pope, weakening.
Sporty dollars-but it's a beautyi
It's really worth it."
The mother sighed. That seemed such
great price to pay for one dress,
when everything was so dear, and
money was needed to help the soldiers;
but 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.
'Dadw exclaimed Maude, mammals
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, 1 guess we can raise the
money, grille but don't choke me-" he
laughed. 1--WE nights well let her have
1t If she wants it," he added, turning to
his wife.
"Oh, you darlingi" cried Maude, hug
cling him. "Tm so happyi I'm going
right over to tell Helen Bates about 1t.
She'll have something beautiful to
wear. / know; but I guess mine1l be
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.
"Tm making myself new dress for
the lawn party" beamed Helen, hold
ing it up to view. "SeeI It's nearly
done. I made 1t all myself; and it cost
just $6.75. Isn't it dear?"
Maude looked at the dress, amazed.
1t was a pretty dress, but so plain, not
particle Of lace. inst tiny ruffies. 1t
was not like the dresses Helen usually
wore. Eyes, it's very pretty" she fal
tered.
She felt almost ashamed to tell
Helen what her dress was going to
cost. If Helen, one Of the richest girls
in town, could wear a dress costing
$6.75, why should she pay $40 for one7
Perhaps mother was right, after all.
"It's really pretty" repeated Maude,
"but-I thought-you'd have some
thing really fine, as you always do.
Papa's going to buy me one. It's
swell I" she enthused, remembering
the coveted dress. "You usually have
something so much more elaborate
than this"
eyes," smiled Helen. shut 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 /. We both wanted
to give all we could to the Red Cross,
and I 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 as
well, too. You see, they need so much
for the soldiers over there mamma
and / are saving all we can to help"
This was a new idea to Maude. and
she began to think.
IT suppose / could get along with q
. cheaper Dress" she admitted. "Papa
would give me the money, and I could
save part of it."
dol" cried Helen enthusiastically
Couldn't you make 1t yourself, ant
save more? I'll help you"
; "Why, I never made a dress in my
life," confessed Maude. II shouldn't
know how"
tits quite easy, after you once be
gin," encouraged Helen. "I'll show yor
how to do it. You see, I've got my
hand in," she laughed. "Come Let's
go downtown and buy the goods ant
begin right Off"
; For the next week Maude was very
busy. and very happy-happier thar
ever before In her life, for she was
doing something to help others. Sh'
let her mother into the secret, but die
not tell her father till she appeared
before him on the day of the party II
a dainty white lawn, very plain ant
simple, with tiny stitched ruff
fles.
"Don't / look sweet in my new dress
dad?" she chirped.
"Yes, you're always charming" hi
flattered, looking at the dress.
She laughed. you don't know the
difference between this and forty
dollar dress, daddy, dearl But the
best Of it is" she told him, with spark
ling eyes, I've got the new dress ant
thirty-four dollars besides to give tt
the Red Cross"