Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-13

the card that her husband tossed across
the breakfast table before he hurried
away. Remember Ellen? Was there any
girl who had gone to school with Ellen
who would ever forget her? Ellen's
clothes had always been the newest.
daint;est and most modish. She had five
pairs OF shoes to the others one. Their
hats were struggling limitations of Ell
lens. She was responsible for more
heartburnings and bitter envy than Stella
liked to remember. Graduation day had
been nightmare because Ellens dress,
a hand-embroidered white chiffon, threw
all others in the shade. Stella could
laugh now. but she had not forgotten
how little Nelly Morris cried over her
own cheap organ1ie nor how Ethel jack
son stormily refused to attend and the
whole class had to coax her and assure
her that her plain white avn was not
unsightly. Then Ellen had married the
cashier of the First National Bank of
another city and left in glory of i'm
ported travelling gown and more 4expon-
sive wedding presents than the other girls
could ever hope to get at all their wed
dings combined.
That had been five years ago. She
wondered how it happened that Ellen and
her husband were living here instead of
the eastern town where they had gone
to live. She would be glad to see Ellen,
who was pretty, amiabe girl in spite
of her belongings and her snobbery to
those less fortunate. While she dressed
she forgot the car which she had pestered
Vernon about for so many months. But
when she started and had one small chic
shod foot on the step OF the street car
she remembered With remembrance
came ter" per. She almost turned back.
Go to- Ellens on a street carl And Ellen
had written back just after her weddin9
that she had three cars-an electric
brougham. a Limousine and a racer.
The ride was long, calling for two
transfers. BY the time she reached the
boulevard where Ellen lived she was
furious at Vernon. For six months she
had pleaded for the car that his salary
could very well include Some economy
along other lines would be necessary. OF
course, but she had patiently-and, at
times ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to him that
she was more than willing to economic
a ong any and all other lines. But ne
was so pig-headed. By this time Steiia
was so angry that she really didn't know
how she had endured Vernon so long
And If he didn't buy car that week.
But white-aproned maid had opened
the door and moment later she was
ushered into brown and yellow recep-
ton room. Presently Ellen came IN
pretty, well dressed. and not looking very
much older At least, so Ste la tnoughi
in the dim light of the silk-curtaiiieu
room. Later when Ellen took her out
to the GOODNESS Of side piazza. sne us
tected little betraying lines on the pretty
face-liries Of either discomfort or age.
Ellen was glad to see her. In the same
old. an1iable rather conceited way. When
the maid announced that the car ordered
was in front she oountermanded the
order and begged Stella to stay All AFTER
noon. And she was the same Ellen. ioi
she spent the afternoon te ing stella
in a well-bred. boasting way exactiy Wnat
her house furnishings cost exactly how
many dinner gowns she wore each year
and exactly how much gasoline their cars
used a month Stella listened interest
edly. Ellen had the knack Of boasting