Smyrna times., 1905-07-19
Enter: A Wine
COlOred Gown
By RITA KELLEY
BY RITA KELLEY
Copyright, 1905, by Rita Kelley


PadmOre when Miss Rand sat up
straight and began pulling 4ne pins
out Of her hat, pretty wine colored
affair that exactly matched her tray-
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 glaring eyes of the han
som cabs, transfer wagons and a pri.
yate brougham or two lined up oppo-
site She paused under a lamp mid
way Of the line and looked eXpectant.
Only brougham and q CAB remained
when Miss Rand gathered up her skirts
and started down the platform. A
coachman in green livery was guiding
young woman in 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 here?'
well, Tommy Yates" she laughed,
Offering her hand, isn't this funny?"
Eyes, isn't it?" 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.
'Ive 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 time! Cruel! What were
l you doing anyway"
Looking for girl very much like
/ you" Tommy turned and gazed at
4 her. The damp air had made little
blond ringlets about her face 'SYou
are just as pretty as ever, Kate" He
leaned over and looked. closer. Eyes,
even prettier," he added.
"Nonsensew 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
Il thought had" said Tommy short.
4 ". But somehow l think never will
4 either" Something in his voice made
her turn and look at him.
~ am going to Brettons'," she said
after a silence. Il think it is 53S Grant
If the cOachman did get the wrong CIR
4 couldn't stand out in the rain another
! minute. You see, was to be identified
d by my wine colored dress, but it rained
so hard l put on this coat. 1 wasn't
going to have the gown spoiled"
"Ah-hw Tommy actually hugget
1 himself He bade the cabby stop a
] Martins. How long has it been since
T. lsaw you, KateT'
You have forgotten?'
mo. l just wanted to see If you re
membered. Four years since you jilteC
me-"
The cab had stopped, and Tomm!
was out in the streaming light of tn
cafe, ready to assist her. She SAM
back on the seat.
"Oh, ohr' she protested. II forgot
Twas to be at the Brettons' for dinner
They'll be expecting me-"
"0h, pshaw! Here l was delegate
to look after a girl in a wine colore
frOck, and now she disapproves of m
scheme Of entertainments
oh" said Kate, climbing out, 81
that it? l thought you were simply
convenience"
Now, see here"-Tommy tucked he
under the umbrella-"I'm not a kid an
more. I'm assistant cashier Of th
] bank"
They were eating their soup. whe
Kate Strengthened back In her chair.
Tommy Yates" she exclaimed. g
was the other girl you were loOkin
forw
What other girlT'
q Why, the other girl in the wine &C
Ored dress! The coachman was takir
her to the carriage when you stoppC
me-"
well, let him take her You didr
see me looking for her very hard, d
your
Tommy YatesT' Kate leaned ov
the table, chin in hand. do you me;
to say this is one Of your little games
Game" Tommy was leaning ov
the table too. Il never was so serio
m my life.
I'm going"
Going? What do you mean? Plea
don'tw
But, you see, 1t Is this way" she c
postulated. II don't know the Br'
tons l never saw them. They
friends Of my mothers just NOV
mere, and it was arranged by the t.
families that | was to visit them.
seems there is a young man in who
I'm expected to find a congenial !
partner"
He's a nice sort" commented To
ny
You know him, then? Why To
my, 1t isn't-lt can't be your
Tommy smiled complacently.
"a Wen go up after dinner and q
out" he said.
a Why. no." she laughed embarra
euy' "Of course-how silly Of I
Aney said his name was Frank. 81