Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-02-05


MUST wear IT, I've had It several months.
but have worn II only once, and was most
uncomfortable all the evening. because
white Is NOT becoming TO me. | don't
know what Made me buy Il. had vowed
never to buy another white gown. but
Mile. Vlllette persuaded me into this.
think II will fit you as It IL, but II it's
too large In the waist Just haste up the
lining and lap over the chiffon glrdle.
can easily let It out again.
Now fix your hair very pretty. You
are not to wear hat Mr.. STEVENS will
come for you in the car. With love.
AMELIA L. STEVENS"
Helen read the note twice and again
looked at the lovely gown that lay over
the chair before her.
But how could she wear It? In all
her life she had never worn any one
else's clothes. She knew II was often
done; that many women thought nothing
of borrowing a hat or gown for some
special occasion, but she never had. And
she could not now! Determinedly she
went to the phone and called up Mrs.
Stevens = .rr l.-A. ..,
"oh, | know what you're going TO
say" Mrs. Stevens broke In. But I'm
not going to listen! My heart is set on
you wearing IT, Now don't be foolish,
oh, zee I'll have to come DOWN. can't
do anything with you over the phone
I'm going out at and I'll drive by there
for a moment"
But Mrs. Stevens came before g.
II wanted to put 1t on you" she
laughed. Il know II you see how lovely
you look in It you'll be easier TO per-
suade."
She would listen to no demurs. and in
few moments she was hooking up the
gown.
No. as Helen started toward the
mirror. you're not to see until l get
you in 1t properly. Now" fastening the
girdle and turning her slowly around.
Now" with a note Of triumph in her
voice, now you can look"
Never before had Helen tried on
really expensive French gown. and never
one cut so low--and the Transformation
was startling.
"oh. it's too low-I feel ashamed
Nonsense. they're wearing them much
lower than that. and with your beautiful
neck and shoulders! Now have you any
white satin slippers"
Helen nodded.
We'll then that's all yOu'll need. You'll
be the most attractive woman at the
dinner. and I'll feel that I've turned
moth into a butterfly. And you're to
back. just want him to see you like
this-itll open his eyes to a thing or
two"
But began Helen.
Mrs. Stevens slleneed her. She swept
aside all arguments and would not leave
until she had her promise to wear the
gown.
After she had gone. for a long time
Helen stood before the mirror with the
gown still On. Never had she looked so
lovely. oh, IL Warren could only see
her nov!
Suddenly from the apartment overhead
a pianola began to play. Slowly at first
and then faster-a popular waltz Of gid
ing rhythmic melody.
~ eNAAk IMPULSE AAFEIn
picked up the white chiffon skirt and
waltzed a quaint measure to her own
fairness. STEPPED in sound and motion.
che gave herself up to the breathless joy
Of the moment.
Then, with its mechanical abruptness
the planola stopped. Helen dropped her
skirts and stood motionless. The thrilled
sense Of elstisn had passed as swiftly as
it had come She felt suddenly very
foolish-almost ashamed OF the impulse
that had possessed her.
Slowly she took off the gown and folded
it into the boI-but again her mind went
back to the picture the mirror had re-
that? Somehow she always felt he never
saw her at her best.
She had often wondered what mental
picture Of her he had with him most
how she looked TO him when he thought
Of her. she felt it was a picture OF her
at her wOrst-as he saw her in the morn
ing. in plain but seryiceAble house gowns
And Yet how could she afford the lovely
frilly morning negiigees the young wife
always wears in novels and on the stage
The box with its French gown she put
away on the closet shelf but all the
afternoon she thought OF il. II Warren
could see her always Ike that II
every evening she could wear as exquisite
a gown and every morning a lace or
chiffon negligee-if he had NEVER seen
her in anything plain. or cheap. or IN
becoming. Would that have made a
dlffereneeg