MADAM BOWKER HEARS THE NEWS In the midst of profound hush Madam Bowker was charging her heavy artillery, to train it upon and demolish the engagement certainly, and probably Margaret, too.

Just as she was about to open fire callers were ushered in.

As luck had it they were the three Stillwater girls, hastily made-over Westerners, dressed with great show of fashion in what purported to be imported French hats and gowns.

An expert eye, however, would instantly have pierced the secret of this formidable array of plumes and furbelows.

The Stillwaters fancied they had exquisite taste and real genius in the art of dress.