Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-03

THE PERSPIRING SALESMAN TURN
ED THE LEAVES OF HIS HUGE
PILE OF RUGS.
Jean was aboard. Deary's parting kiss
was fresh on her lips and it had
brought dimness to her eyes. They
had not been so long together yet that
parting meant nothing to them.
Jean looked lovely ALI the freshness
Of the morning was in her cheeks;
all its light in her eyes; all it's fra
GRANGE in the folds of her little blue
serge suit, in which she had travelled
to happiness with Deary year before
over this same route. She had bought
a morning paper and after she had
settled herself comfortably she began
to read it. She looked as content as
If her handbag held fortune. instead
of one little -two-dollar bill. which she
had already spent, mentally. dozen
times.
Helen was waiting for her at the
terminal. Her train had come in
twenty minutes before. She looked
harassed and impatient. She was
dressed fashionably, but as she kissed
Jean there was envy in her eyes. How
fresh you look.' she said. I'm so
glad you've come. The very thought
Of all the shopping I've got to do
distracts me-"
Whats first?' asked Jean cheerful
ly.
Hats. Wen go right up to ches-
ter's."
Chesters was the biggest department
store in the city and one of the best
Of its kind in the country. Helen sat
down before mirror and a clever
saleswoman began to put hats on her
head, while Jean posed near to criti-
else. Such hats! And such prices.
too. BY the time she had tried on
the seventh one Helen was hopeless
ly confused. She could not decide
which she most wanted.
She parleyed, wayered, changed her
mind twenty times, grew flushed, grew
pale, annoyed the saleswoman and at
last in desperation, appealed to Jean.
Tell me. which one do you think I
ought to buy?"
THE black one" replied Jean instant
You have good judgment" said the
saleswoman. She put the black hat
on Helen's fair hair.
Helen studied her reflection. 81 be-
lieve you're right, JEAN" she sighed.
I'll take the black one"
1t was time for luncheon and Helen
said she could not wait for food any
longer. Yet at the hotel she could not
think of a thing she wanted to eat.
And Helen ate heartily Of everything.
Il was actually hungry and I thought
I was only faint" she declared.
After luncheon they went back to
minutes between a crushsd peaches
satin gown and cream lace with
pink and blue bows. Then she said:
"If you can decide for me | wish you
would, Jean"
Jean laughed merrily. Certainly 1
can decide. Take them BOTH
The saleswoman looked grateful
You have TASTE" she murmured.
Now, don't you want to buy gown"
mo, thank you Jean answered.
But she flushed little. Mercy me,
where would I ever wear a dress of
that kind in Westmore?" She con-
fided to Helen. The most fashionable
a D. A. r. meeting. where most of the
ladies appeared in blouses.
"All the same you'd look beautiful
in that cream lace" Helen said. Now,
II you're equal to it. It's rugs"
They plunged into subterranean
depths. artificially aired and lighted.
For half an hour the perspiring sales
man turned the leaves of his huge
book of rugs back and forth and de-
scanted on the merits of each.
ITS for the dining ROOM" Helen
said, land all the furniture is mahog-
any. I could choose any one of six.
But which one? Jean. do help me
out"
Jean pointed promptly. Take that
one, dear" she whispered.
'"The lady is right. You'll never re-
gret your choice" said the salesman.
He turned admiringly to Jean. which
one shall you take?'
Jean laughed lightly but behind the
laughter was, the thought of a certain
uncovered floor in the bungalow.
"oh, I'm not taking any," she said.
From the rug department they
strayed about. Helen bought a score
of things which Jean invariably de-