The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-10-27
And what a plcture!
Richard Realf.

Richard Realf
And what picture.
AH Reginald Thorn's natural enlbar-
rassment vanished at sight OF her. 1t
was swallowed in one vast wave of adj
| miration He had come into the great
| State street dry goods store at the re-
quest Of his sister. He had heeen d.
rected TO the third floor. And a Wild
desire to turn and run-to hasten hack
! 10 the elevator and get cut of the bu d.
ing as quickly as possible had seized
| him when he found himself, where wax
en- figures in square glass pavilions, dis
played gorgeous gowns, and where wax
| en- faces wore everlasting waxen SIN les.
"Cyra be blessed" He was walking
hesitatingly down a broad corridor. at
| either side OF which rows CT feminine
| apparel hung behind glass dsors. Wait
| until I promise her-Here's enc Of them,
thank the Lord" He attempted to ex-
plain his commission to the black-clad
| saleswoman who smilingly approached.
| "A travelling gown. madam. 1t is for
my sister-Mrs. Marvin. She has an &C
| count here. She says you have her
| measurements by which TO make alter
| atoms"
| Certainly. Mrs. Marvin-af course.
Does she wish cheviot-Venetian Cloth
fancy suiting? Blouse-or Ston? Per
haps a bolero, now
I'm sure I don't know," Thorn felt
! the perspiration breaking out on his
forehead. What-what is wrong?"
There was a connection among the
| bIack-clad saleswomen by the windows.
| With murmured apology. Thorns COM
! panion darted off to the scene Of the ex-
| citement. Then it was that, turning, ne
saw the vision which enthralled-enrap-
! tured him.
A young girl was standing near a
very young girl The unmistakable evil
| dence of gentle birth, of exquisite breed
{ ing was apparent in her pure and perfect
| lineaments. in the unconsciously proud
| poise of her head, in the little arched
! foot showing under her carriage gown
| of dull gold silk A black velvet hat
| topping over with plumes formed a back
| ground for an aureole of fair hair The
white brow was puckered in perplexity.
| He could not see her eyes. She was
! looking down at the sweep of a skirt
which her NADIA woman black as eb-
| ony, with faithful. brown eyes-was hold
| ing up to the slender waist of her young
mistress. The distinguished beauty OF
| the girl-a lilylike beauty-and the
| swarthiness of her kneeling servitor
| made a picturesque. a delightful con-
! trast. The array of rich robes heaped
on tables all around showed that their
| selection was one of elaboration.
81 think shall have this sent home
on approval, Chloe" remarked a sweet
voice, obviously. ''This-and the one
with the Escurial lace. I rather like the
| gold tracery on this chiffon. Let me see
again" Still holding the trailing skirt
of azure silk to her belt she whir ed
slowly before an immense cheval glass
Yes, I think this dinner dress-O"
!
eyes long scintillant, dark-lashed, deeply
| blue had met full in the mirror other
eyes-mascuine eyes, cleaning with adj
miration. Still mechanically holding the
skirt she turned-confronted him. A de-
licious pink crept into her cheek. And
what with that, the alabaster whiteness
| Of brow and throat, and the sole purple
| blueness of her eyes, she made him think
instantly Of the morning glories that
used to Chamber. over the old we'll al
/ home-of a whole cluster of them.
IT beg your pardonl" he stammered
Il had not intended to be rude. The
saleswoman deserted me. had come
4 in to choose a gown for my sister" Tn
! his confusion he was becoming unneces-
sarily confidential ''She is about tc
leave tonight on an unprecedented jour
ney. and-O. I wish I knew what she
wanted!" he broke off despairingly.
Now, despite her youth. Dorothy Arun-
del was too thoroughly a gentlewoman tc
misunderstood his addressing her-to
| act with the prudishness, which is not
modesty, of the illbred and the unsophts-
| ticated.
Perhaps I can assist YOU" she volun-
teered. gently. 81 am accustomed to
shopping"
| Thank you'll should be glad" he as
sured her fervently. Then, although the
! saleswoman at that moment returned
. explaining that the fainting of a cusrO-
mer had caused the commotion, 1t was
Miss Arundel who made the suggestions
! which lifted Reginald Thorn out OF his
slough of despond into the haven of de-
lightfu satisfaction.
How kind of your he said when a
chic travelling costume was CHOSEN and
/ the garment was laid aside. II was
vowing never tc accept an errand from
/ Cyra again when you came to my assis-
lance. She would have cone herself
but the summons to her husband in
Florida was so unexpected-The al
with pencil suspended. "Of couse Mrs
I Roy Marvin-the Pukwana----"
An exclamation interrupted him.
Marvin cried a voice Of pleased sur
prise. "Not-not Cyra Thorn
He flung about. glowing with ecstatic
anticipation.
She was Cyra Thorn-yes."
perhaps you have heard her speak OF
me" Miss Arundel held out a small
and sparkling hand. my name IS Dor
othv Arundel"
Miss Arundel! Cyra raves Of you
| We all seem to know you well indeed
How happy she viii be to hear Of sour
meeting" He was helping her into her
rcse-lined cape of seal. az may see you
| to your carriage?"
They passed down the aisle together
! the dusky maid following. Thorn gave
a glance of gatitude TO the waxeu lady
in the glass pavilion near the elevator
1t seemed 10 him that she had led The
way to this fortuitous enounter She
smiled back at him quite brazenly-ant
continued to smile when the elevator
/ dropped downward.
Mrs Marvin managed to meet hel
school friend before she went south AZ.
ter that Reginald Thorn devoted his en-
! ergies to securing invitations 70 tbs
places where he might meet Dorothy
Arundel. And one enhancing November
night. when he had taken her down C
dinner. and acted as her escort to a box
party later, something-maybe the fact
that she wore the azure gown with ruff
fies Of gold-embroi5ered chffon-gavt
him the courage for which he had
lonzed.
This" he said. softly, as the dime,
dress you bought on the day when hope
and JOY first were born In my heart
I Dorothy, don't you-won't you under
stand?'
The curtain was down. The must.
sweled in a grand crescendo. The gay
party around we're laughing and iestinZ
But these TWO were encircled 8s though
by an ahSolut@a sacred silence
! y understand" Fer 3ust a second hel
shy lids we're lifted. Then they dropped
IT understand, dear."-The Chic 90 TIT
bune.