The Opelousas courier., 1905-06-03
6 G.
DAN
N@NNNA . ~N@NN

we uISL d. d uOLcl, anu 1 tllouSuI MI
one of the most charming women
had ever seen.
Refined and almost representative,
she struck me at once as being a We
man Of breeding and distinction. Yet
on the few occasions, when, as our &C
qu%aintance ripened. | visited her at her
smart and elegantly appointed fiat,
felt an instinctice aversion to the
friends and acquaintance l met there.
Of her people she seldom spoke-her
parents were dead, she told me, and
her husband was abroad, but might be
home again at any time.
She was always exquisitely dressed
in the latest fashion, and money seem
ed to be abundant with her. She was
an adept shopper, quick at knowing
what she wanted and quicker still al
seeing it, and l was very glad when
she offered to pilot me through the
difficult mazes of the winter sales.
am not possessed Of a large dress
allowance, and my wardrobe for the
coming eason depends somewhat on
my successful purchases in sale times.
Mrs. Vereker was just the guide to
help me through. She possessed such
a perfect taste that l felt quite safe
in her hands.
We sat one evening arranging what
we were to buy.
ut is far better to go now when the
first rush of the sales is over" said
| Mrs. Vereker. Il went the first three
days myself, but the crowd was aw-
| full, and there are still plenty Of things
to be had"
Did you pick up many things7" l
asked.
She laid down the list she was max
ing and stared at me in dumb amaze
ment. Then her face cleared.
"Yes-no, not SO very much. Let me
see; I bought this tea-coat and some
hats and my new gray coat-that is all,
I believe"
She continued the list, and at last
I rose with a sigh of deep relief.
tits 70 good of you, Well go To-
first and then on to Bond street,
glanced at the list-"and get the fur
at -; they can always be relied on
to really reduce things. I'll call for you
at nine tomorrow, and we'll get Nor
man to lend me his motor"
Eyes, do" she said. 81 love a motor
we can go to double the number of
shops and spend the whole morning
looking round until we find exactly
what we want"
The next morning I called for Mrs.
Vereker and found her waiting.
won't you find that coat too hot"
asked as we reached the first Of u
shops, and I slipped off my own heavy
motoring coat.
mo, l love it," she replied; II am
lever too warm"-and drawing her
voluminous skirts across a pavement
luckily clean, she swept into the shop
with her usual graceful, 1anguid air.
| bought my coat and selected some
lace, and went on to -, where /
chose a few modest and n or two
more expensive blouses, then we went
on to a third and last shop. While l
was choosing some ribbon in the null
ti-colored ribbon department, Mrs.
Vereker said to me:
II am just going to the handker-
chiefs; / will join you in the fur de-
partment-you are going there?"
Eyes, I shan't be long"
Nor l." she answered: Il am very
tired" | had finished my purchases
when she came back.
Are you ready? l am feeling SO
faint. Do you mind hurrying?"
I'm just ready" | said, this very
moment" and l put my hand in my
muff to get my purse. There was no
purse there, and I gave a cry Of dis
may. Mrs. Vereker!-my pursuits
gone!-and / had G25 in it. / had it
q moment ago-I must have put it
down in the ribbon department"
Let me pay" she began-but I in
terrupted her.
Nonsense, it can't be really gone,"
and I almost. ran to the ribbon de-
partment.
I found the shopwalker and the as
~
sistant-but no one had seen it, and
baskets of ribbon were hastily searched
without result.
ut is very dangerous to lay your
purse down in a crowd" said the shop
walker, who knew me well; sits only
a wonder, madam, you didn't lose your
muff as we'll"
went back disconsolate to the fur
department.
II am SO awfully sorry to have kept
you," I began, trying not to show my
yexation more than | could help. Are
you better?'
She nodded and rose with haste.
Yes, but let's go, if you don't mind.
You can come back again and make
inquiries. 1t doesn't matter about your
purse. | have heaps Of things and bits
of fur / do not want"
Nonsense" / said, aas though I
should take yours
But, my dear child, / have SO many,
and surely a married woman can help
a girl; besides. I dare say the purse
will turn up"
Pardon me, madam"
A grayeIooking man in q frock coat
slid past me and laid his hand firmly
on Mrs. Vereker's arm at the moussnt