of this
hideously-ugly old wall paper with gay-colored scrawley figures, Aunt
Sarah, suppose we get an inexpensive, plain, tan felt paper for drop
ceiling and separate it from the paper on the side wall, which should
be a warm, yellow-brown, with a narrow chestnut wood molding. Then
this dull, dark, gray-blue painted woodwork; could any one imagine
anything more hideously ugly? It gives me the 'blues' simply to look
at it. Could we not have it painted to imitate chestnut wood? And
don't you think we might paint the floor around the edges of the rug
to imitate the woodwork? Just think of those centre panels of the door
painted a contrasting shade of pale pink. The painter who did this
work certainly was an artist. A friend of mine in the city, wishing to
use rugs instead of carpets on her floors, and not caring to go to the
expense of laying hardwood floors, gave the old floors a couple of
coats of light lemon, or straw-colored paint, then stained and grained
them a perfect imitation of chestnut, at small expense. The floors
were greatly admired when finished, and having been allowed to dry
thoroughly after being varnished, proved quite durable. I will write
to my friend at once and ask her exactly how her floors were treated."

"Now, Mary, about this old-style furniture. The old grandfather clock
standing in the corner, at the upper end of the room, I should like to
have remain. It is one hundred and fifty years old and belonged to my
folks, and, although old-fashioned, is highly valued by me."

"Of course," said Mary, "we'll certainly leave that in the room."

"Also," said Aunt Sarah, "allow the old cottage organ and large,
old-fashioned bookcase belonging to your Uncle to remain. He has
frequently spoken of moving his bookcase into the next room, when he
was obliged to come in here for books, of which he has quite a
valuable collection."

[Illustration:

A-24 Seed Wreath
A-25 Wax Fruit
A-26 Old Parlor Mantel
A-27 Old Clock
A-28 Boquet of Hair Flowers ]

"Oh," said Mary, "no need of that. We will move Uncle John in here,
near the bookcase, when we get our room fixed up. Aunt Sarah, we will
leave that old-fashioned table, also, with one leaf up against the
wall, and this quaint, little, rush-bottomed rocker, which I just dote
on."

"Why, dear," exclaimed Aunt Sarah, "there are several chairs to match
it in the attic, which you may have when you start housekeeping for
your very own. And," laughingly, said her