Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-03-28
DREAM CAME true

Agnes Martin stood looking at q
dainty waist displayed on a form In
the shop window. 1t was dainty and
fine. and with the delicate fold Of the
blue silk at the throat appeared to her
the perfection Of workmanship. She
could only spare few minutes; the
big clock affixed to pole at the curb
stone told her that in fifteen minutes
she would be expected to report for
duty. and take up her work as tiny
cog in the wheel of the enormous ma
chinery in the printing establishment
OF Hoffer & Hotter.
She took a lingering, parting look
and then hurried on; a heavy damp
ness In the air lent depressing effect
and served to add to the low ebb OF
her spirits. II she could only have =
pretty waist once and dress up like
other girls! A sign at nearby the
ater caught her eye. but without think
ing further Of forbidden pleasures. she
hurried on to her destination. Remov-
ing her wraps In the stuffy dressing
room. she moved quickly to her place
at the machinery. where each day. In
tiresome monotony. she contributed
her small portion to the making OF .
big magazine.
Four o'clock came and Agnes paused
for few moments to brush the damp
hair from her forehead and relax
from her strained position. Just then
the head of the department called to
her: Agnes Martin, some one wants
to speak to you downstairs"
Who could 1t be? Smoothing out
her plain but clean shirtwaist, she
hurried down.
Hello. Cousin Agnes!"
It was big Cousin Bob from the
west; she had not seen him for five
years-had almost forgotten she had q
cousin; 1t was as though he had drop
ped from the clouds.
well. little girl, you haven't forgot
ten me, have you? have persuaded
them to let you of; get your hat and
We will have supper somewhere down.
town together"
Agnes hurried. after an embarrassed
expression of thanks. her heart beat
ing high with the unexpected pleasure.
and soon returned dressed for the
street. Her suit was plain and neat,
but inexpensive. He gave her a sweep
ing. critical glance as they passed
out.
Cant we 60 to the theater some
where after supper? You could phone
home-I-mean to the boarding house"
he stammered. remembering that she
had been an orphan for several years.
"Oh. Bob, I couldn't 60 this way"
she faltered. looking down at her plain
clothes. g.,
well. there IL no need to-aren't
there any stores?" PES I'D
Her heart began to thump painful.
ly-they were very near tho store
where she had admired the pretty
waist. He halted before the window.
This looks rather nice: lets 90 In
here" he said. 4r , ii .rs e.,
Trembling. but happily expectant,
she followed him. nv ~
"Show III some waists" he said ia
the saleslady, something real fancy
like that one In the window"
Agnes grew alternately hot and cold
a. a duplicate OF the coveted waist
was spread before her. and proved to
be just her size. e.
"Now, you want some what gloves
and some kind Of pretty hat" She
could not help smiling at his keen
sense OF fitness.
Finally. the purchases made to his
satisfaction, he hurried her of to the
rest room to prepare for the evening"
frolic.
Agnes hurried away. Dear old Bob!
So he had never forgotten his little
cousin and had come back like real
fairy prince.
When she reappeared, her admiring
cousin gave a long, low whistle.
"Well. we'll. Agnes. you certainly do
look charming!"
She smiled happily.
And now for some supper and a
good show"
They entered a brilliantly lighted
cafe. 1t was Agnes first experience.
1t seemed like q wonderful enchanted
palace. The excitement brought rich
color to her cheeks and sparkle to
her eyes. He talked on and one. In
the happy whirl Of her excitement she
gathered that he had been quite sue
cessful-was going to locate in the
east-in fact, this was just the be-
ginning of their good times together.
The orchestra started to play a
soft, sweet melody at the further end
of the room. Agnes smiled amusedly
and the bright light in her eyes deep
ened. It was playing when Dreams
Come True."-F1ora Dell. in the Buf-
falo Express.