Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-09-04


stripes or medals, and Pershing will
never review this branch of his re-
serves. But wen march with the
boys to victory just the same" she
concluded earnestly.
For a few moments neither of the
girls spoke, then Dorothy went on,
speaking very low You know, Mar
ion, I've walked up at last TO the real
ization that I'm an American woman,
and I'm going to be one in the true
sense of the term. This is my govern
ment, and its problems are my prob
lens, too. Even If | am Just a little
wee part of II, cannot shirk that part.
The least | can do is to make over my
old clothes, and lend Uncle Sam all
can save"
Marion smiled ruefully. and stop
eating fudge" she interrupted.
But Dorothy hurried on. Mother
always said IL was an art to make
over old clothes. and I think II is a
good thing to have it revived and made
fashionable. Why | was reading only
yesterday that one OF the highest sal
aired women In the country actually
takes pride in saying that she has not
had new dress in three years"
Probably she had more to make
over than most of us" argued Marion.
as she reached for another piece of
fudge.
Dorothy smiled, Most of us have
enough to get along with if we have
the real spirit of patriotism back Of
us. Here I've been making myself
think that / could not get along with
out new suit this fall but just see
what I'm going to do" she explained
eagerly. This white serge circular
skirt is perfectly good. but it's so wide
haven't worn II for ages; by having
1t dyed blue to match this one-piece
serge dress, and making 1t into q mill
tary cape, I'll have suit after all, and
the cape can be worn with any dress.
This black and white striped plated
skirt is badly worn and soiled around
the hem. but 1t will clean beautifully
and will be just the thing for q lin
ing"
Marion gasped, partly in admira-
ton, but half incredulously. THE
idea is perfectly splendid" she admit
ted. but frankly. Dot. the dress looks
to me impossible. almost-if you'll
pardon me-a relic of medieval
times"
"i'll acknowledge" answered Doro-
thy with a gay laugh, that the blue
serge is dress with past, but also
one with countless possibilities. The
skirt Is wide enough to make q mar
row foundation skirt, but as the new
models are much shorter the extra
lengths will make straight apron
tunic for the front and back, reaching
from the shoulders. and I'll finish the
sides and across the bottom with
four inch band of black satin cut from
the old coat mother left when she was
herep With the neck cut pointed in
front. and a large collar evolved from
this white crepe de chine waist. which
has been a candidate for the scraD-
heap for some time. I'll wager no one
will ever dream of its past career Of
usefulness and activity. OF course,
she added quickly, as she saw that
Marion was not quite convinced, "the
serge will be turned. for-see-it is
like new on the wrong side"
Dorothy stopped for breath. and her
companion laughed. Where did you
get your clever ideas, Dot? You are
a wonder!"
Dorothy's face flushed with pleas
ure. I'm not the least bit of a won
! der" she denied modestly; ''in fact,
I'm quite ashamed didn't see all
! these possibilities before, for I'm truly
! grateful for an old-fsshioned mother
who helped me develop some practical
| ideas
This dress. too" the girl continued
eagerly, as she shook out a dark gray
satin skirt with chiffon tunic, seemed
almost too narrow and worn to do any
thing with, as it has done me good
service for two years now, but | can
get lovely long scarf out of ii, lined
with the chiffon and with two strips of
marabout from this old neckpiece
across the ends Out of what is left
I'll make a hat with a satin crown and
chiffon brim, and with no expense but
the cost of the frame. Behold me fully
equipped. mademoiselle, and all my
own handiwork!"
But when are you going to do all
this work ?" Marions tone was slight
ly skeptical. You are busy stenogra-
pher, and you know how little energy
one has left for scheming and sewing
after long, hard day at the Office"
You remember I'm to have two
stead of spending a week at the beach.
as | had planned, that money will go
into my Liberty Loan box and I'll
spend all the time at home on the
farm and do my sewing while I'm Wis
iting with mother"
When the liberty Loan tithins box
was opened two months later. Dorothy
found she had saved almost enough
money to finish paying for the fifty
dollar bond. started with the thirty
dollars from the old stocking toe and
the twelve dollars that week at the
beach would have cost.
What is more" she confided to
Marion, now that I've found I can
save, First nickel then a dime If
I make up nv mind TO do 1t. I'm taking
another bond on the dollar down and
dollar week plan, to go with the one
father gave me as nest-egg toward
the home Raymond and hope to have
when the war is over"
"I haven't that TO look forward IN I"