Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-07-09
THE NEW DRESS
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)

.Mamma, I've got to have new
dress to wear to the lawn party next
week." announced Maude, looking up
from the story she was reading. Il
must have white one. saw a beauty
ct Is yesterday-georgette crepe,
with the loveliest lace! I wish you'd
buy It for me-"
Her mother hesitated. "Don't you
think you could get along with your
last years dress, dear?"
"Oh. mammal" exclaimed Maude,
1--WE worn that everywhere I've been
this summer. I'm tired Of It; besides,
It's all worn at the sleeves. I couldn't
wear that, and you wouldn't have me,
either" a.s..a'-'.-. :.
GBut everything costs SO much now"
calculated her mother. Couldn't you
manage some way?"
II 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
you? Mamie's going to have new
one, and I'm sure Helen Bates will.
You don't want me to look shabby"
"How much would the new dress
costg asked Mrs. Pope. weakening.
'Forty dollars-but it's beauty
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, ''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, dad3
You old dear!" She flung her arms
about her fathers neck. She knew he
never could deny her anything when
she coaxed.
"Well. ! guess we can raise the
money, grille but don't choke me-" he
laughed. 1--WE nights well let her have
It II she wants It," he added, turning to
his wife.
"Oh. you darlingl" cried Maude. hug.
ging him. 'I'm so happyl Tn going
right over to tell Helen Bates about it.
She'll have something beautiful to
wear, I know but ! guess mine'n 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; Helenf" she
asked.
I'm making myself a new dress for
the lawn party" beamed Helen, hold
ing it up to view. "See! It's nearly
done. made 1t all myself; and 1t cost
just 1878. Isn't It a dear?"
Maude looked at the dress. amazed.
It was pretty dress, but so plain. not
q particle Of lace, just tiny ruffles. It
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. II Helen. one Of the richest girls
in town. could wear a dress costing
$6.75. why should she pay $40 for bne1
Perhaps mother was right, after all.
1lt'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" she enthused, remembering
the coveted dress. "You usually have
something % much more elaborate
than this" A
"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 80 much Is needed
for the war. We've been talking It
over, mamma and I. We both wanted
to give all we could to the Red Cross.
and decided II bought the muslin
and made the dress myself. ! should
have almost the entire cost Of the
dress to give away-and look just az
well, too. You see. they need 30 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.
II suppose could get along with q
cheaper Dress" she admitted. Papa
would give me the money, and I could
save part Of it."
.Spo!" cried Helen enthusiastically
Couldn't you make It yourself, and
save morel I'll help you"
"Why, never made dress In my
life," confessed Maude. II shouldn't
know how"
"It's-quite easy, after you once be-
GIN" encouraged Helen. "rll show you
how to do it. You see, I've got my
hand in," she laughed. "Come! Let's
20 downtown and buy the goods and
begin right Off"
For the next week Maude was very
busy. and very happy-happier than
ever before in her life, for she was
doing something to help others. She
let her mother into the secret, but did
not tell her father till she appeared
before him on the day Of the party in
dainty white lawn, very plain and
simple, with tiny stitched ruff
fies.
"Don't look sweet in my new dress,
dad?" she chirped.
"Yes. you're always 1charming!" he
flattered, looking at the dress.
CHI Io,pbo6 Uvou don,t know tho