The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-07-02
The Dolly
Warden Gown
~<9
BY SUSAN cLAceETT
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa
per syndicate.)

Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per syndicate)
In the attic Eleanor Brooke diyed
into the old horse-hair- trunk that had
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 veritabIe treasure
trove, but so often had the girl gone
through 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 Eleanor'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, and
rich dresses, with here and there
time stain, that had come from Lon
don and were of bygone style, had
lain for long In the horse-haIr trunk
under the caves until young Eleanor
one morning pulled 1t into the light.
With little ordinations Of pleasure
she opened the carefully wrapped
packages and found herself heir to
much that was totally unsufted to her
youth and petite figure, even in a day
when maids were gowned In costly
stuff. 49, 4p----,ae-.,,-.~.
But when one loves dances and Las
not the wherewithal to buy vanlties,
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 IL 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 1oyousness of the girl herself.
For this little story is of time when
girls, young girls, were not so sOphis-
Heated as at the present day and their
pleasures, coming far apart, made them
all the more desirable, simple though
they usually were.
This dance had been heralded for
weeks. General Washington had sig
nifled his intention to be present, paus-
Ing for few hours in Upper MARI
borough on his way to Annapolis. Nat
urally everyone was on the qui vlve,
and Eleanor Brooke forthwith went
Into the attic to search for gown
brave enough to do honor to the Occa-
sion.
She knew what she wanted and low
lngly fingered the heavy brocade COW
cred with pink roses and the under
skirt Of pink satin that had long been
her utmost desire. And more daring
still was the wish to wear the gown
just as 1t was, quaint In its looped-up
Overdress and vatican plat.
She shook out the folds of satin and
held it against her height. 1t was
ong, 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 room
md twisted and turned before the mir
'or to get glimpse of her back. she
decided the only change needed was In
ength.
1t was lovely gown and she would
nave been a very Indifferent girl If she
had not been thrilled by the vision that
)eered half shyly at her from the gilt
framed glass. 1t was the first time her
ace had impressed her and the daln-
oval with its shining eyes,
framed In waving hair, made her won
Ter If it really was herself. Her color
famed at a deeper thought which she
ried to hide from her consciousness,
nut 1t would Obtrude, and at last she
aced 1t. "WOuld he like it," Even TO
lerself she hesitated to call his name.
For before all others she wished to
ppear fair in his sight. She gave no
bought to other guests who would
ONE from Georgetown, Alexandria,
Baltimore and Annapolis on horseback
nd in great coaches, drawn by four
iorses. Four horses were always used
non state occasions, and what more
event could there be than
his ball, the first after the Declara-
ion of Independence? There had been
much rain and the roads were deep
nd the maids in and about Marlbot<
ugh watched the clouds and prayed
or a south wind that would dry the
mud, while the young me Of the coun-
=, no 10 @t,o oeeo,,,y,I,y noon, hrova with