The morning times., 1897-02-05


have conceded with whatever it might have
said, although up to that time she had not
Eeen actively conscious OF the fact that she
had been transported from celestial re-
gions and had never been able to get be-
yond the gates OF paradise.
There are people whom the gods look
upon with extreme partiality. Mrs. Pelt-
Van Pelt was one of those. Not only
had all the graces which are coveted by
womankind been shaken up in a lottery
to which she held the lucky numbers, but
the fates that regulate the pecuniary ar
fairs of men had seen to it that her Golfers
should be wen filled. Men who were in
position to know, such as mercantile
reporters and bank clerks, ayerred that
there were positively no limitations to
the wealth which Mr.. Pelt-Van Pelt could
produce upon compusion, and as his wife
had chosen for her domestic coat .of-arms
the motto What is yours is mine and
what is mine is my own" the amount OF
money She had at her command was moth
ing less than veritahle gold mine.
But in spite Of her superiority over the
rest OF her sex, Mrs. Pelt-Van Pelt was
not entirely exempt from those little weak
nesses which tester in the moral nature of
the human race, neither did she disdain
to partake of ignoble pleasures in which
the more lowly delighted. One of the chief
evidences of her earthborn propensities was
her love for bargain-hunting. She was
one OF those women who can tell a bargain
great distance off and she never lost an
opportunity to pursue it. She was in her
element then. Mrs. Pelt-yan Peit, as
queen Of the ballroom, was beautiful, but
as queen Of the bargain counter when,
flushed with victory she carried off her
prize, she was more divine than even the
Elite Chronicle had ever deemed her.
1t was that inordinate desire to buy some
thing for little less than the cost price
that brought her into the dressmaking de-
partment OF HoOpers big store on the
second day that imported dresses were adj
vertiscd to be sold at sacrifice. MIS-.
Peit- Van Pelt had no need OF another dress,
imported or otherwise, but for all that she
attended the sale, probably through mere
force of habit. II was late in the after
noon when She entered the large room on
the second floor Of the building where the
imported gowns were on exhibition. She
was about to start on a tour of inspection
through the place, examining each dress
that sat so gracefully on its waxen figure,
but before She had taken half-doZep steps
she heard an exclamation OF delight and
the petite little blonde who was evidently
the forewoman OF the establishment came
hurry yng toward her with both hands out
stretched in effusive greeting.
"Ah madam" she said, volubly, Il had
given you up. thought you were not
coming this evening after your beautiful
gown. Itis all ready for you. mad Suzette
at work on itall morning. Will madam try
it OIL again? l know it will fit beautiful"
Mrs. Pelt Van Pelt looked wonderingly at
the fair manager of Hoopers dressmaking
department, but as no explanation OF the
mysterious information could be CLEANED
from tnatanimated countenancc She looked
away again. Soherdress was ready. Mrs
Pelt-Yan Pelt had done great many
| things in her time which had either been
entirely forgotten or had become only
faint memory, but she was quite sure
that f she had ever ordered a ready-made
dress at liooper's she would have dis
tinct remembrance OF it. Moreover. she
was perfectly well aware that shehad never
stepped her foot on the second floor of
| the Hooper building Suddenly like flash
OF light, the truth dawned upon her. She
had been taken for somebody else. ltwas
Il bitter truth To acknowledge that she. Mrs
PeltVan Pelt, the peerless, had n double,
but there could be no other explanation.
| Presently she noticed that the forewoman
was speaking again.
II was just saying, madam, that your
dress is ready" she repeated. Shall fit
it again?"
Mrs. Pelt van Pelt resolutcIy crushed
down few uffshoots OF conscience which
| were beginning TO be alauuingly pronii-
nent, ana, Yes, l believe you may"
said, with an air of sudden decision.
She followed the woman into a private
! fitting parlor; Suzette, who was called
in from an adjoining room, honored her
with q smile OF recognition and, without
! awaiting further orders, brought out the
| imported gown which Mrs pe!t-Nan Pclt
| had not bought, 1t was a magnificent pro-
| duction of tie dressmakers art: a ball
dress of old rose satin and lace, with
| garniture OF pearls. The forcwoman herself
| stayed to see that it gave perfect salts
| faction. They draped Mrs. Petty Van Pclt 5
! stately form in its shimmering folds while
! that naughty dame stood like a lay figure
| through sheer amaZemcnt and allowed
| them TO twist ana whirl her around at
| their will.
| "Ah, madam said the garrulous fore
| woman, lit fits though you had gone
! to Paris ana stood for model. Aren t
| you glad, now, that You selected this in
| stead of the orange and black? Your
| husband, madam, has excellent taste. ]
| could see in moment that he preferred
| this, although he said nothing when you
| hesitated between the two. What cared
is cheap, dirt cheap
My husband said Mrs. Pelt-Van Pelt.
| quickly "Ah, yes, my husband. | believe
| he did like this. He was always partial to
old rose. / had almost forgotten that he
| came with esyesterday was yesterday
when | was here, was it not? You must
| excuse me for being so forgetful, but
have many things on my mind. He 50
seldom goes shopping with me-
| Yet one can see he adoreS you. ALI,
| how proudly he looked upon you, madam,
| when he said: The old rose, my dear,
will be just the thing for you to wear to
| the Templars' ball All, that husband Of
| yours IS handsome, too
Yes, I believe he is so considered l.
myself. admire a man who is little more
| blonde''
J More blondc Heavens, madam, how
| could that well be. He is fair as a woman
And so big. All, madam, you are model
couple. By the way, here is note which
we found stickingin the folds of the corsage