The Arvada enterprise., 1911-12-28

SAE .5g% Yes, can," Mrs.
N4l'3San Phelps insisted.
,SEa4'E,lA She had a fancy to
Ts,ekugss see how this pretty
creature would take
the men Of her set. 81 can lend you
gown and hat and wrap, and you can
take Vera Patterson's place. She has
just telephoned that her cold is worse
and that she can't be with US for
Christmas dinner"
I'D love It," Molly's eyes were like
stars. But"
There are no 'buts,'" Mrs. Phelps
said calmly. 'If | choose to add an
other guest to my Christmas dinner
no one can possibly critlcise."
I've never dined in any of the big
hotels" Molly confessed. Terry want
ed to make me once, but | couldn't
not in my old clothes"
81 don't see why you don't have
some nice gowns" Mrs. Phelps said.
She had taken fancy to her little
seamstress; the girls youth a. d beau
ty made her different from the usual
cut-and-dried spinsters who work by
the day.
you could go around lot if you
had the things to wear"
Molly shook her head There are
mother and father and Billy and
Babe" she said. q have to help out
with the family expenses, and |
mustn't spend everything on myself"
80 you just sit at home and stag
nate" Mrs. Phelps complained.
Molly laughed. "Oh, Terry takes me
out now and then"
who is Terry?"
well, he's a very nice boy who
likes me-" Molly confessed.
And ! suppose you'll marry him
and be poor the rest of your life," was
Mrs. Phelps comment. You're very
silly, Molly"
Molly began to wonder If she wasn't
silly. Here was an opportunity star
ing her in the face. Opportunity to
meet rich men, opportunity to wear
beautiful clothes.
do you really want me to go to
your dinner?" she asked, half timidly.
"Of course" Mrs. Phelps said; "and
|
It was a wonderful gown of white
chiffon with the hem heavy with sill
yer. There was twist of white tulle
which banded Molly's red-gold hair,
with a silver rose at the side. The
slippers were silver. and little loose
on Molly's tiny feet.
"They can be tied on with ribbons"
Mrs. Phelps decided, "and they won't
show under that long skirt"
In front of the long mirror Molly
saw a wonderful vision.
Mrs. Phelps brought from box a
long wrap of lace and ermne and rose.
colored velvet.
81 was afraid that color wouldn't go
with your hair" she said, but it gives
You distinction, after all"
On her way home, again clothed in
her shabby suit, Molly told Terry
about it.
She is going to give n Christmas
dinner at the Belvidere," she said,
"and one of her guests has disap-
pointed her. She wants me to take
her place, and I'm going to do it,
Terry"
Terry's face fell. Then you won't
have dinner with u.s." he said. Wen
miss you, Molly"
"oh, but it's my opportunity" her
face was glowing. Think Of the
people I'll meet"
He did thiak of the people she
would meet as he tramped home
alone In .he cold twilight Terry knew
something Of the world, something Of
the men who would be at that dinner.
Babe and Billy protested strongly
when they learned that Molly The
light Of the household, was to spend
her Christmas evening away from
them.
1T will spoil all our fun" they said.
Terry win be here Molly told
them, Mother has planned late
dinner, because he has 20 work part
Of the day"
She felt a little consciencc-stricken
however. as she loft them, and not un-
I'll she had donned the beautiful gown
at Mrs, Phelps could she put the
thought OF their fearful iaces out of
her mind
It was a wonderful experience to
ride through the streets Ia the limou.
sine, wrapped IN the rosa-eolorcd
cloak, with a great bunch OF valley
lilies in her hand She fell like a
princess. She had the air OF a prin-
cess, too, as she swept through the
wide corridor OF the hotel, following
Mrs. Phelps
Her pleasure was ended, however,
when she met the other guests and
sat down at the big round table.
There was n confusing display OF
knives and forks and spoons. but her
native wit prevented any awkward
ness.
II was the men on each side or her.
however, who alarmed her. Molly
had never been at loss foi word or