The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-05-30
Enter: A Wine
Colored Gown
By RITA KELLEY
Copyright, 1905, by Rita Kelley

out OF ner nat, pretty wine cOlOred
affair that exactly matched her trav-
cling gown. Five minutes later in a
tan rain coat and cap she splashed
down into the pools of water on the
open platform Of the railway station
and faced the glazing eyes of the ham
som cabs, transfer wagons and a pri-
vate brougham or two lined up oppo-
site. She paused under lamp mid
way of the line and looked eXpectant.
Only brougham and a cab remained
when Miss Rand gathered up her skirts
and started down the platform. A
coachman in green livery was guiding
young woman in a wine colored
gown to the brougham. Miss Rand
was hurrying toward the coachman
when a voice drawing from the cab
at her right made her stop short.
Hello, Kate" it said. what in
time are you doing hereT'
well, Tommy Yates" she laughed,
offering her hand, isn't this funny?"
Yes, isn't itF' he said, holding fast
to the hand. Don't you know enough
to come in out of the rain?"
The next moment she was settling
herself on the dry cushions.
1--WE been standing out there hours
waiting for some one to claim me-"
she said as the door banged shut and
the cab started off ''And you sitting
here all the timeI Cruel What were
you doing anyway
Looking for a girl very much like
you" Tommy turned and gazed at
her. The damp air had made little
blond ringlets about her face. you
are just as pretty as ever, Kate" He
leaned over and looked closer Eyes,
even prettier," he added
"Nonsenser' she said, blushing as
the cab passed under an arc light.
You are just as silly as ever, Tom
my. You'll never get over that"
"What?" asked Tommy, shortly.
Stiffness"
81 thought l had," said Tommy short
ly. But somehow think l never will,
either" Something in his voice made
her turn and look at him.
II am going to Brettons'," she said
after a silence 81 think it is 53S Grant.
If the coachman did get the wrong girl
1 couldn't stand out in the rain another
minute. You see, was to be identified
by my wine colored dress, but it rained
so hard l put on this coat l wasn't
going to have the gown spoiled"
"Ah-hv' Tommy actually Rugged
himself. He babe the cabby stop at
Martins. How long has it been since
saw you, Kate"
"You have forgotten?"
mo. l just wanted to see If you re-
membered. Four years since you Tilted
me-"
The cab had stopped, and Tommy
was out in the streaming light of the
cafe, ready to assist her. She sank
back ON the seat
"Oh, ohY' she protested. 81 forgot.
was to be at the Brettons' for dinner.
They'll be expecting me-"
"Oh, pshaw! Here 1 was delegated
to look after a girl in a wine colored
frock, and now she disapproves of my
scheme of entertainment"
"Oh," said Kate, climbing out, 'is
that it? 1 thought you were simply
convenience"
Now, see here"-Tommy tucked her
under the umbreIla-"I'm not a kid any
more. I'm assistant cashier of the
bank"
They were eating their soup, when
Kate Strengthened back in her chair.
Tommy Yates" she exclaimed, sit
was the other girl you were looking
forw
What other grip
"Why, the other girl in the wine col
ored dress! The coachman was taking
her to the carriage when you stopped
me-"
well, let him take her. You didn't
see me looking for her very hard, did
your
Tommy Yates!' Kate leaned over
the table, chin in hand do you mean
to say this is one Of your little games ?"
Gamer" Tommy was leaning over
the table too. II never was so serious
in my life"
I'm going"
Going? What do you meanP Please
don'tw
But, you see, it is this way" she ex-
postulated. 81 don't know the Bret
tons. never saw them. They're
friends Of my mothers just moved
here, and it was arranged by the two
families that 1 was to visit them. It
seems there is a young man in whom
I'm expected to find a congenial life
partner"
Hes nice sort" commented Tom
my.
you know him, then? Why, Tom
my, 1t isn't-it can't be your
Tommy smiled complacently.
"We'll go up after dinner and find
out" he said.
why, no." she laughed embarrass-
edly, "of course-how silly of me!
They said his name was Frank. Such
an ugly name! But, Tommy"-she
looked up suddenly from her salad
"who was the girl In the wine colored
dressY'
That" said Tommy, 'is rather diff
ficult to explain. Would it simplify
matters any If 1 told you she is the
one who is to carry off the friend of
the Brettons?"
And how about the friendY
''Well'-Tommy looked at his watch
-"she has an hour and half the start
of you"
$50 this is your little gamer" she
cried. do you think for minute,
Tommy Yates, that I'm going to let an
other girl do me out? No, sir. He's
mine"
do you really think that much of a
fellow you never have SEEM" asked
Tommy anxiously.
Want him, Who said l wanted
him? 1 wouldn't take him as a giftl
But if you think 1 am A,ing to let an
other girl take him before he's even
seen me you're mistaken. She's up
there now, and they think she's me
l am She"
you are right She's having the time
of her life"
"See here, Tommy Yates, you explain
this mystery. Why did you let me
stand out there soaking up the rain?"
Tommy's eyes blinked.
II couldn't really believe my eyes
that you were you"
You came down to get that girl in
the wine colored DRESS" said Kate ac-
cusingly.
$50 1 did" Tommy was staring
hard at her wine colored blouse. 81
got her.
Kate pushed back her plate, clasped
her hands on the table and looked at
him