The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-10

Nm man, graSpIng her friends hand, ana
" " drawing her from the surging crowd of
the busy shopping street into a secluded
corner, Of nearby entrance \" What are
you doing in all this rushP
Why, Edith-youF Isn't this fun! Where are you
goi1g1 49,.
Edith. Gown, hat, shoes parasol, everything It's
such fun to be really going she added with all the
enthusiasm and joyousness s, which girl 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 new gown
mother thought my muslin would do perfectly well
We've been economizing little" she went on
brightly because it's Bob's CassDay. and of course
we longed for him TO have everything, as he wished
it, It's once in lifetime, father says 4 = r
Yes and Bob has done so well, rejoined Edith;
Ct course you are going to everything:
ii Be fnef Now if it's only pleasant and she cast
a troubled glance at the sky. Here il is two weeks
before the date for Cass-Day and they laugh at me
so at home because father says that already wall #
there is cloud, even If it's no bigger than mos
quito.
Edith laughed merrily
But the gown" she asked.
'Oh, yes Mildred answered. well, you see we
invited Uncle Robert Hooper, mothers bachelor
brothers on from New York for Class-Day. Bob is
named for him, and he was Harvard man. too He
wrote to say he I'LL or he would surely come and
iGnde IN the paper So he sent Bob check for fifty
dollars to buy something by which to remember the
day Later guess he happened think OF me, for in
few days check for the same amount came for me,
and with it letter saying it was a pity wasn't boy
too show the Hooper grit Bob had, but that he
hoped I'D show it some other Way i sounded rather
laughed pretty defiant little laugh
And so you going to have the new gown after
Yes, isn't fp and Mildred gave her friends arm
sympathetic little squeeze; wish you would come
with me while choose it"
III should love to, my dear but have a list Of
errands miles in length and must not, answered
Edith, afectonately, must fly this minute Be sure
to tell Bob how perfectly splendid we all think he IS
!" Yes, / will--were awfuly proud of him, too. Do
come over soon and tell me all about your new gown
and Mildred nodded a good-by, calling Is parting
farewell Don't you hope it won't rain!
Don't speak Of It, laughed Edith, as she was swept
of in the whirl of the crowd.
Mildred turned and entered the big shop, in the
doorway of which they had been standing, and sank
down before the glove counter.
T" White suede gloves, please elbow length sne
terful before her
The girl turned and opened drawer, and while
looking through its contents she spoke to another girl
beside her Mildred caught the words: and 50 I've
got TO give up our vacation. do not mind SO much,
but little sister Florence is heartbroken. She has
never been into he real country in all her life, and
never spent night OUT OF the city promised she
should go this and the poor little thing needs
H. 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 on with patient care, Mildred
looked up and examined the pale, tired face The pur
chase was concluded, and while she waited for her
change she tapped her fingers nervousy on the edge
OF the counter and nrtively studied the girl fitted
through her mind that she about her age, but
that her grlishness entirely gone, and she was
worm pensiye woman.
When the change came Mildred took it automatic
ally aud walked houghtuy 70 the distant part OF the
shop where the white gowns were sold. Such pro-
fusion Of fmy fabrics were displayed that they cast
into delighted bewilderment the group OF girls before
them -Four five eager faces were already bending
over the dainty assortment, and merry chatter Of
discussion from two pretty girls near the enid Of
the counter,
Mildred handled the fascinating varieties absenty.
In some inde6nable way, their very delcacy and use
Jared upon her Two three times she took
them up and put them down again, and At last she rose
and walked with definite purpose back to the glove
counter.
The girl WHO had waited upon her came forward
with faint smile Of recognition and Mildred sat down
on the revolving stool and burst out abruptly:
~ didn't mean to listen, but couldn't help hearing
what you said about vacation and about Florence
Won't YOU tell inc about i'll really wish you would
A fash d surprise colored the cheek ol the girl
behind the counter and she faltered touched by the
note 81 interest and sympathy in Mildreds voice.
Why, you ser my mother has been IL. she said.
with simple dignity. There are jpst three 81 rs,
and ii has taken All the we could save for doc