Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-01-31
CHAPTER VIII.
STIEILA'S QUEST,

Benson, l am going out for a little
while, to do some shopping" said Sheila,
on the morning of Boxing Day.
"Of course you will take Annie with
you, miss" suggested Benson.
Certainly not" Sheila replied, in her
most determined tones. Annie was up
all night with Mrs. Dare. Don't be
fussy and ridiculous, Benson. l am not
going far"
She's up to some prank, 1 can see, u
was Benson's mental comment "Shop-
ping! Much she thinks of that. with
Mrs. Dare as i'll as she can be! And
what shopping can be done on Boxing
Day? But she will go her own way
whatever l Say, and always would from
child"
Sheila's shopping did, in fact, seem OF
rather peculiar character. First she
went into Charing Cross station, and
| studied the advertisements of trains, and
| so forth; and she pestered the officials
with inquiries of such an unsophisticated
kind that they smiled benevolently, and
evaded direct answers.
Zone would think was a child" she
thought Indignantly. 81 will find out
/ though"
And, by dint of perseverance and in.
| quiries, at various places where shopping
is not usually done, she did.
| She managed to lose her way in the
maze of streets behind the Strand, and
wandering about, came upon a shop
which suggested a bright idea to her.
| There were all sorts of glittering dresses
| in the window, as well as wigs, and shoes,
and properties. There was an abundant
supply of photographs of ladies and gen
! tlemen in every style Of costume. and
| there were announcements such as
Every Requisite for the Stage" Fancy
| Ball Costumes" and SO on.
"The very place to get all l want,
Sheila decided, and into the shop she
went.
| Boxing Day, as well as many days be-
fore it, is apt to be a time of excitement
at such establishments. She had to wait
some time before she could be attended
to, and then a girl with a pleasant face
came hurrying up to her, and assured
her that every possible costume ever
| heard of could be obtained. Did Sheila
immense variety. A fancy ball dress,
perhaps?
mo, no." said Sheila. "I want you to
find me a travelling dress, the kind that
will make me look middle-aged. And a
hat, or bonnet, perhaps, would be bet
ter; and some ugly shoes"
| She blushed, and looked extremely
young as she said it.
The young woman's tired eyes took nm
expression that made her add impulsiye-
ly-
an tell you how it is. i am going a
long journey all alone, and-and people
don't pay you attention when you are
young; l mean, they treat you as if you
didn't know anything; and / want to
look as old as 1 can"
Bessy Winter was more often called
upon to exercise her ingenuity to the en-
tirely opposite end She was not much
older than Sheila in years, Int she was
| considerably older in experience.
"Will you come with meg7 she said.
with a good natured smile Il think
understand what you want"
Sheila waited in a room behind the
shop, while Bessy departed on her quest.
1t was Uttered with fairies WAnds. and
demons masks, and articles suggestive
Of pantomime land, and the girl felt as
if she had strayed behind the scenes. A
stout lady, in a serge skirt and service
able boots. and with bonnet surmount-
ing a ford, middle-aged countenance, was
trying on gauzy bodice adorned with
butterfly wings. Sheila was astounded to
hear from her remarks TO the attendant
that she was the fairy queen in a sub
urban pantOmime.
This will do, l think" proclaimed
Bessy, entering.
The articles for which Sheila exchanged
her own pretty things were just such az
a spinster of the strong minded order
might wear.
you viii need your hair arranged, and
a little makeup under your ycil, and
then. think, you will look old enough
said Bessy. THE dresss fits you very
well. think Where shall l send it?'
I'm call for it tonight" Sheila said
hastily, and shrewd Bessy Winter drew
her own conclusions.
She took care, in spite Of the pressure
of business. to be on the lookout, and to
meet Sheila when she entered the shop
in the evening.
TITS m use trying TO make you look
too old" she said. "5ut / may be able to
make you pass for 80. I'll try"