Evening star., 1914-08-13


just about as much heart as a fresh
water clam
There was a general feeling Of dis
consolation among the salespeople when
they gathered in for work that after
noon. But within twenty minutes wave
of good humor seemed to be In motion.
1t started at the cashiers desk and roll
ed gradually toward the front of the
store. Vida felt 1t coming even-before
she looked up and saw Mr.. Morton at
her side.
.If you have no other management l
would like to have you meet with the
rest of our people in the parlor Of the
Fuller House at half-past Z o'clock this
evening" he said. I've arranged for a
little dinner
He said the same thing to me-" Louise
Spencer, having overheard. whispered ex-
citedly. Il guess that anniversary pres
ent must have struck in after all. Hurrah
for Bright Spote'
1t had ceased raining when Vida came
out of the store at half-past 6. She was
very tired. Aunt Jennie had tea ready
and Vida sat down to it feeling that 1t
was hardly worth while to go out again
to dinner she did not care for. And yet
she was afraid not to 60. It might be
that Paul Morton would feel oHense II
she stayed away.
The telephone bell rang before she had
finished her first cup of tea. Answer
ing 1t Vida heard Mrs. Lambert's voice:
You're coming to my brothers dinner
party, of course, Miss Page. And won't
you bring your violin? There may be a
wait for dinner, it being impromptu. and
I think it would be nice to I'LL in the
delay with music. I'm going to sing and
Miss Archer will play"
Vida said she would. She had kept up
her music in spite of her work. It seem
ed now that she must 60 And she went
to find something to wear.
In four years she had not had any
thing new other than black skirts and
shirt waists and an occasional hat. She
thought of appearing in her store uni
form But this idea Mortified Aunt Jen-
ME. who was rummaging frantically amid
their old finery. Presently she brought
forth a flowered silk organdy dress. The
skirt was too full, of course, but other
wise 1t could be made to do.
Bring me the scissors and thread me
some needles with silk and put an iron
on to heat commanded Aunt Jennie.
It was nearly 8 o'clock when Vida en-
tered the parlor of the Fuller house. The
room was full Miss Archer was playing
something on the piano. Vida's entrance
silenced the music and the low-tQned
chatter Paul Morton. in evening dress.
with a white flower in his buttonhole,
stepped forward to greet her; Iheir
eyes met 1t came to Vida that he really
was seeing her for the first time.
No wonder She was well worth seeing.
Tall. straight, with her black hair loose
about her flushed face. and done IN quite
a different way; her pretty throat bare,
her arms bare. too, and all her youth
and loveliness enhanced by the pink flm
of her dress and that old lace of Aunt
Jennie's, which concealed the fact that
the shoulder seams We're too short ana
that there were too many FUCKERS IN the
bodice.
1t was Louise Spencer who told her the
truth when she kissed her. You look
grand, Vida But anybody who'd known
you in the store wouldn't know you now,
fixed up like you are" she said.
Vida had brought her violin and she
played, Of course. There was Just time
for that before dinner was announced
She sat at Paul's right hand. his sister
sat at his left. The Fuller house had
done its best in the way of lights and
flowers and viands. and the effect was a
surprise. There were toasts. and then
Paul. wearing the new fob. rose and
thanked them all for it. And his brother