The Green Satin Gown

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The Green Satin Gown

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Title: The Green Satin Gown
Author: Laura E. Richards
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THE GREEN SATIN GOWN
BY LAURA E. RICHARDS
Author of "Captain January," "Melody," "Three Margarets," "Peggy,"
"Queen Hildegarde," etc., etc.
Illustrated by Etheldred B. Barry

THE GREEN SATIN GOWN
Published May, 1903

TO THE GIRLS OF The Friday Club of Gardiner, Maine THIS
VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

CONTENTS

THE GREEN SATIN GOWN
BLUE EGYPTIANS
LITTLE BENJAMIN
DON ALONZO
THE SHED CHAMBER
MAINE TO THE RESCUE
THE SCARLET LEAVES

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
"THE FIRST TITTER PUT A FIRE IN MY VEINS THAT KEPT ME
WARM ALL THE EVENING"
"GREGORY POLISHED IT ON HIS SLEEVE, AND HELD IT UP
AGAIN"
"'A LONG BASKET WITH SOMETHING WHITE INSIDE;
AND--IT'S CRYING!'"
"'FATHER SAYS THE LORD SENT YOU. DID HE?'"
"MAINE HAILED HIM FROM THE TOP OF A GREAT DRIFT"
THE CONFERENCE

THE GREEN SATIN GOWN
Who ever wore such a queer-looking thing? I wore it myself, dear, once
upon a time; yes, I did! Perhaps you would like to hear about it, while
you mend that tear in your muslin. Sit down, then, and let us be cosy.

I was making a visit in Hillton once, when I was seventeen years old,
just your age; staying with dear old Miss Persis Elderby, who is now
dead. I have told you about her, and it is strange that I have never told
you the story of the green satin gown; but, indeed, it is years since I
looked at it. We were great friends, Miss Persis and I; and we never
thought much about the difference in our ages, for she was young for
her years, and I was old for mine. In our daily walk through the pretty,
sleepy Hillton street--we always went for the mail, together, for though
Miss Persis seldom received letters, she always liked to see mine, and it
was quite the event of the day--my good friend seldom failed to point
out to me a stately mansion that stood by itself on a little height, and to
say in a tone of pride, "The Le Baron place, my dear; the finest place in
the county. Madam Le Baron, who lives there alone now, is as great a
lady as any in Europe, though she wears no coronet to her name."
I never knew exactly what Miss Persis meant by this last remark, but it
sounded magnificent, and I always gazed respectfully at the gray stone
house which sheltered so grand a personage. Madam Le Baron, it
appeared, never left the house in winter, and this was January. Her
friends called on her at stated intervals, and, to judge from Miss Persis,
never failed to come away in a state of reverential enthusiasm. I could
not help picturing to myself the great lady as about six feet tall, clad in
purple velvet, and waving a peacock-feather fan; but I never confided
my imaginings even to the sympathetic Miss Persis.
One day my friend returned from a visit to the stone house, quite
breathless, her pretty old face pink with excitement. She sat down on
the chair nearest the door, and gazed at me with, speechless emotion.
"Dear Miss Persis!" I cried. "What has happened? Have you had bad
news?"
Miss Persis shook her head. "Bad news? I should think not, indeed!
Child, Madam Le Baron wishes to see you. More I cannot say at
present. Not a word! Put