Rock Island Argus., 1909-09-04


> w drawing her from the surgng crowd OF
the busy shopping street into secluded
corner OF nearby entrance. What are
Mildred exclaimed with delighted surprise:
Why, Edth-you? Isn't this fun! Where are you
Buying all my new Class Day things" answered
Edith Gown hat shoes. parasol' everytnng: It It
enthusiasm and ioyousness which a pirI OF eighteen
always feels over her first Class-Day-
That's just what I'm doing. broke in Mildred.
You know | didn't expect to have gown
mother thought my muslin would do perfectly we'll
We've been econoaizing a little She went on
we longed for him to have everything as he wished
it It's once in a lifetime father says
Yes and Bob has done well. reOined Edith;
" Of course you are going to everything.
Oh. yes. Hall. Stadium. and four sprcads-wont
tpoubed Te glance al the sy Here it IS two weeks
before the date for Class-Day. and they laugh at
at home because father says that already wall II
there is cloud, il it's no bigger than mos
quito
Edith laughed merrily
Oh. yes Mildred answered Well you sec we
invited Uncle Robert Hooper mothers bachelor
brother. on from New York iqr Cia,S-Day- Bobrs rs
say he ill., or he would surely come. and
he said he awiuy proud OF Bob; saw the cum
lqnde in the paper. So he sent Bob check for fifty
dollars buy something by which remember the
day Later guess he happened to think OF me. for in
and with st letter SAYING 1t was pity wasn't boy
too. show the Hooper grit Bob had but that he
hoped I'd show it other way. 1t sounded rather
dubious for he has liked girls. Mildred
laughed pretty, defiant little laugh.
And so you are soins to have the new gown after
Yes isn't it," and Mildred gave her friends arm
a sympathetic little squeeze: " wish you would come
with while choose it.
q / should love TO- my dear. but have list OF
errands miles in length. and | must not answered
Edith affectionatey. must fly this minute. Be sure
to tell Bob how perfectly splendid all think he IS.
Yes | wi-we're awiully proud OF him. too Do
come over soon and tell me all about your new gown
and Mildred nodded good-by calling as a parting
farewell: 50 Don't you hope it won't rain? -
Don't speak OF it, laughed Edith, as she was swept
off in the whrl OF the crowd.
doorway OF which they had been standing, and sank
down before the glove counter.
+" White suede gloves. please elbow length she
said to the saesgirl nonchalanty tossing over coun
terful before her
The girl turned and opened drawer and while
looking through its contents she spoke another girl
beside her. Mildred caught the words: and so I've
got to give up our vacation. | do not mind so much
but little sister Florence is hcartbrokcn. She has
been into the real country in all her lie. and
spent night out OF the city l. promised she
should this summer and the poor little thing needs
it. too. | can get on myself.
She found the gloves for which she had been search
ing and brought them to the counter, and while she
fitted and worked them with patient care, Mildred
looked up and examined the pale tired face. The pur
chase concluded and while she waited tor her
change. she tapped her fingers nervousy on the edge
OF the counter and iurtivcy studied the girl 1t lifted
through her mind that she about her age, but
that her girlislness entirely gone and she was
worn. pensive woman.
When the change came. Mildred took it automatic
ally and walked thoughtuly to the distant part OF the
shop where the white gowns were sold. Such proi
fusion OF fmy fabrics displayed. that they cast
into delighted bewildcrmcnt the group oil girls before
them -Four five eager faces already bending
over the dainty assortment. and merry chatter OF
discussion came from two pretty girls the end OF
the counter
Mildred handled the fascinating varieties absently
IN some ndehnablc way, their very dcicacy and
Lsness Jared upon her Two three times she took
Ien up and put them down again at last she rose
f 1eA - ''ie sioHe
The girl who had waited upon her came fo-,y,-d
with faint smile OF recognition and Ndrd ~ ~ s ~
on the revolving stool and burst out abruptly:
didn't mean 10 listen. but couldn't help bcar,c,
what you SAID about your and about Ilorcrre
Won't you tell me about ii? really wish Won would .
A flush OF surprise coorcd the check of the g;rl
behind the and she faltercd touched bv the
s note of interest and sympathy in Mildred's voice
:" Why you see MY mother has been IL She said
with a simple dignity There just Three OF Us
and it has taken all the money could save for doc