The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-28

Apple Green-or Winter

Il
(By Olive Roberts Barton)
Jane slowly drew her hand out of the
dlmsy white silk stocking. She had de-
cided to take the pair. but changed her
mind when she heard q girl who had
just arrived at the same counter AJAX
to be shown some green silk hose. Her
back was toward tho newcomer, but
she recognized her voice.
| Her own clerk pulled down boxes
upon boxes Of stockings to show Jane
who had never before been so difficult
to please. but the latter had now plenty
OF opportunity to hear what the other
girl said.
''No-these are all too dark. Apple
green. want" she was saying. See!
They must match these satin slippers
Oh, please don't tell me that you
haven't them. I have been to every
single store in town. and must have
them for tonight. My gown IL the Same
shade. No, white would be impossible.
It just means to wear an old gown and
what! Have you found them3 The
only pair. and my size, too! Well. I
am lucky"
time. Her pretty brown eyes were
smoldering. 80 she IL getting all
fixed up for the dance tonight 30 she
can dazzle Tom some more" she
thought bitterly. HE has scarcely
had time to look at me for a week
to be polite to his sisters guest, but
guess he can be polite without taking
her some place every night for a week.
suppose he would even take her to
tho Thanksgiving ball tonight II he
hadn't asked me year ago. He has
simply monopolized her"
Jane looked after the girl jealousy.
She herself was as pretty al q picture,
her eyes and hair almost as dark AZ
her black velvet suit. and the red wing
In her hat was scarcely brighter than
the color in her cheeks. The girl" tall
and graceful. had red-gold hair. Tom
had said 1t was wonderful. And she
dressed well. Jane knew that. too
At home. in her own room. she felt
better. After all. the girl would soon he
lego to take her to this particular ball
for years. There were other dances,
other parties, but they were not the
same as this. 1t was q sort OF ami
versary OF the flrst time they had mot
and. although there had been no dread
full college to separate them this year,
Toms law practice had been almost as
bad, for he was determined to succeed
and spent every minute at 1t or his
books. For" said he. success means
you, Jane. dear. cannot ask you to
marry . pauper." =
Jane hummed a happy little tune ar
she laid her dancing clothes out ON the
bed. She must look her best tonight.
He said he had something to tell her.
She forgot all about the girl who was
to wear green. Tom was mere tonlent.
Her gown. lingerie. cloak. slippers.
scarf. gloves-she thought moment.
Oh, yes-the stockings! She had for
gotten to take the little package out
OF her muff. She tore 1t open and drew
out q pair OF shining silken hose. Jane
stared. They were a delicate apple
green.
She understood right away that She
had been given the wrong package at
the store. Her own stockings did not
matter. She had others she could wear.
She hesitatcd an instant. What need
she care whether the girl got the stock
ings or not? 1t was O'Clock. But she
decided to call a messenger and send
them when the telephone rang. It was
Tom.
Jane. I'm awfully sorry, but some
thing has happened that win keep
Laura home from the dance unless u
take her. She was to go with Gerald
and he telegraphed just now that he
had missed his train. know you won't
mind and will get Lester Collins to
awfuily sorry, but it cannot be helped.
She is sisters guest and have to be
polite. / have sent you some nowerc,
by the way. You don't mind. do your
Jane replied indifferently that It was
apology at ali. ana that it would delight
her to go with Mr.. Collins
Tom left the phone evidently sat
isfied, but Jane was raging. Then she
cried. She threw herself upon the
bed In the midst Of the hnery and
sobbed. "I1e won't take me! He
WON'T take met! He is in love with
Outside it was dark and the clock
pointed to 6. Then she remembered
the stockings. N''I don't care II she
never gets them now. Let her wear
her old dress."
as she did, nor did she want any. She
told her mother In the dim light Of
her room that she had q headache
ana would take only cup OF tea
Her mother being one Of those
comfortable people who pat you. and
stroke your hair. and call you dear
ie' and do not ask questions, suggest
ed q walk in the cool air after she had
had her ten. TT will freohen you mn.
dearie, and chase the headache, am
sure. The house - Hike = furnace,
anyway
Jane kissed her mother ana drank
her tea Then, resolving to s.freahen
up'' % Tom would not guess that her
heart was broken, she slipped on her
stockings. she tied them up. scribbled
= name ON the package and stuck Il
In her pocket
.sWhat's the difference II she does
fix up now? It all seems to be over
but the shouting. Tom viii never
these things to q maid At the door. II
can pull down my vei1 ana NO one
viii know the difference"
Jane crossed the park to tho biz
house at the corner. Through the
glass doors she could sec into the hall