South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-07-14
THE THIRD YEAR.

dow Now don't fool around and be
late" and Warren hurried of.
They were going OUT 20 Trenton to
dine with the Merwins. and would re-
tGrn on the 1880 train. Helen hast
ened her morning household duties,
and then began looking over her
clothes
To dress for dinner and at the
same time 20 look properly gowned
for the train, Is always difficult. She
had planned 70 wear her gray chiffon
under a long cloak. But last night IL
turned piercingly cold. Flakes of
snow were IN the air, and the wind
was cutting.
II was much too cold for the chif-
fon. The only thing that seemed
suitable was her mauve-colored vel
vet. which needed cleaning badly. She
examined IL critically and decided to
dip IL In gasoline.
Helen kept a gallon can just for
gasoline, and now she sent Maggie
around 70 the paint store TO have il
reflled. She emptied the whole gal
lon in a big dish pan, placed the pan
in the bathtug as the safest place in
case Of accident, and dipped in the
velvet dress
With rubber gloves 10 protect her
hands, she swished the dress about,
finally shook il out, and hung II drip
ing on the shower ring over the tub.
BY eleven o'clock her dress had dried,
looking as though it had come from
the cleaners.
But the Smell.
Didn't IL clean well2" she demand
cd Of Maggie, who was now washing
up the bathroom.
1T certainly did. ma'am-like new.
But II smells right strong. You reckon
thatll get out before you start?'
III hang fl in my room on the
chandelier and open the windows"
But the velvet was thick and held
the Odor. Every little while Helen
would go in and sniff over IL anxious
~. A gale of cold air was blowing
through. but the gasoline was still
distressingly strong. She had cleaned
gowns before and worn them the same
evening, but they had been of chiffon
or thin silk, and the smell had soon
blown out.
BY four o'clock Helen was in des-
pair. The odOr seemed almost as
strong AS ever, yet there was nothing
else she could wear.
why, you're not going to wear this
dress. are you, ma'am ?" exclaimed
Maggie, when she called her To hook
il mp.
"Tll have to-" desperately. ct
haven't another thing. But III keep
my coat off and maybe it'll evaporate
before / get there"
Although il was now freezingly cold,
Helen walked to the car, carrying her
coat When she reached the station,
Warren was not yet there. He had
no faith in her prOmptness ard al
ways told her 20 come at least ten
minutes ahead OF time.
At four minutes of five she saw
him running down the steps He
waved TO her and hurried over TO get
the tickets.
Here. this way We've only three
minutes What are you carrying that
coat for? Put it on! Don't you know
it's cold?"
Yes. dear. but I cleaned this in
gasoline" Helen explained breath
lessly. as he rushed her out the gate
and down the platform. land / want
il 10 evaporate. can't you notice the
Odor2'
"Phew, Should say 1 could. Smells
like a garage"
sits by the Window.
Let me sit by the window" she
suggested, when they got on the train.
Maybe 1 can have It open and blow
some of this out"
Not on a day like this You're
not going TO freeze everybody else.
just because you'd no more sense Than
10 wear a smelt-up dress"
Tn the warm, close car the odor
was more noticeable than ever.
Dear. do you suppose IT won't be
out? no YOU suppose they'll notice
il when I get there? ?"
Notice IL! strong enough to knock
YOU down! Why the deuce did you
wear it,"
1T was the only thing I had that
was warm enough. And IL was so
soiled 7 just had TO clean it
That's like you Always having
to make over or clean a gown the
last minute. other women have the
sense TO keep their clothes in order.
and don't rush off full Of pins and
hastings or reeking with gasoinne.
In a way Warren's criticism was de-
served. for Helen had been so busy
this winter that she had neglected her
clothes. and several times had been
forced 20 hurriedly Elk over" a dress
Just before she wore il.
well. 7 can't stand this-makes
me sick. I'm going TO the smoker"
And Helen was left alone to anguish
over her dress and over how she
would explain il when she got there.
When they left the train AT Tren-
ton Warren mOioned To one Of the
hacks drawn up by the station.
"Oh. dear. won't we have time 10
walk" pleaded Helen. of / walk
there without my coat surely some of
this will blow away
Yes. and you'll get pneumonia"
Il don't care what 7 get reCk-
lessly. eli only I can air this out"
They started OF AT pIlSh paSe,
Helen carrying her coat on her arm.
holding It we'll out from her so as not
10 obstruct the air
"Anybody'd think you're crazy,
Crowled Warren. walking without
coat on a night like this
Mrs. Mcrvin Apologies.
But Helen trudged shiveringly on.
unhappily conscious that her nose
and ears were crimson and that she
would look most "unbeautiful"
Say. you'H be sick" exclaimed
Warren at length. touched by her
silent endurance. ~ ou'd better put
that coat on Guess they can stand
the smell IL we can
.'No-no. really I'm not cold. in
sisted Helen with Chattering teeth,
and Wen soon be there now
Here we are" as he threw open
an iron gate. Shaded lamps cleaned
Cheerfully from the windows. but
Helen's heart sank as they went up
the wa X The Merwins were such
frrr,,aH .1ann1ef