Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 247, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1917 — Aunt Dora [ARTICLE]

Aunt Dora

j “We've been shopping,” announced Cornelia, dropping bundles all .over ; the couch. “I found the dandlest bargain in- silk hose!" 1 ' Aunt Dora looked up from her darning ball with an expression of disapproval. She took another needleful of cotton and silently attacked a large hole In her own stout stocking. Cornelia unwrapped a package. “Look here, all silk and only ninetyeight cents. Isn’t that cheap?” “If you must have such things, I ■ suppose It is,” sniffed Aunt Dora. "I never had a pair of silk stockings in my life.” “I got a blouse to match my suit, auntie,'’ said Mollie, who had been feverishly cutting strings. “Isn't it lovely ?” Aunt Dora’s eyes looked grim over her glasses. “How much did you pay for It?” “Only ten " “Hm! —I never paid more than five for a waist In all my life.” 'Mollie laid the blouse aside hastily. “Well, here’s some silk for a dress,” she offered in a tone that was apologetic; “taffeta.” Aunt Dora fingered it gingerly. “It won’t be durable,” she pronounced. “I always buy grosgrain or satin. I never had a taffeta in my life.” I Cornelia sat lost In thought for several minutes, and Aunt Dora presently snipped her thread and spoke a little Impatiently, or eagerly. I “Well, what else?” “A hat, only it Isn’t here yet. You’ll approve of that, auntie; It’s a nice, sober black thing with a ribbon. I Aunt Dora’s eyes registered a flicker of disappointment. • “When I was a girl we never wore those mannish things,” she remarked. “We didn’t try to look masculine." ' “Well, here’s something that Isn’t masculine,” Millie announced sudden- ' ly, with a hint of mischief In her voice. She laid a lacy pink camisole on her i aunt’s knee. The elder woman fingered ' it carefully. i “It won’t wear at all,” she con- ' demned, trying to hide the admiration in her voice. “I never wear anything ! like that. I make my own things of that sort out of good stout muslin. “Isn’t it pretty, though?” urged Cornelia. “And here’s my new silk petticoat Aren’t the ruffles dear?” “I dare say they are.” Aunt Dora assented. “Seven or eight dollars. I never ”

“Well, why don’t you get one?” Cornelia broke In hastily. “They’re having a sale. This was only five.” A faint blush appeared on Aunt Dora’s cheeks. “The Idea! Why I’ve never worn such things In my life 1 I never had ” Cornelia picked up her parcels and made a rush for the door before her aunt htd time to finish the sentence. Mollie, following more decorously, presently found the other young woman seated at the desk busily writing. “Silk stockings, camisole, silk petticoat, new hat ’’ Cornelia checked off the Items carefully. “Do you know what I’m going to do? I’m going straight out> again and buy all those things for Aunt Dora, so that she can’t ever say ‘I never did’ again as long as she lives 1” “I wouldn’t,” mused Mollie, lovingly stroking her taffeta. “It wouldn’t be kind. Don’t you know that it gives her the greatest pleasure to be able to say that? She could have them if she chose, but she likes to be a martyr. There are lots of people like that. Don’t rob the poor dear of her simple joys. Let’s ‘ take that money and buy ourselves some white kid shoes or some awfully frivolous suits. Aunt Dora’d enjoy It a lot more that way. She could talk about It.”