South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-11-23

ing wrap Of white crepe de chine with
long knotted fringe and a price tag
OF Z75 francs-S55. But Helen's need
OF an evening gown was much more
imperative than of a wrap, and she
felt she could not afford 10 get both.
Warren mad already made some
business acquaintances here, with
whom they were invited 10 dine next
! Thursday And as Helen. in anticipa-
ton Of her Paris shopping had
brought almost no clothes with her.
she must have a gown for that din
ner.
In the next department were the
robes" Here on roped in platforms
stood groups Of smiling wax figures.
But the price tags Of from 800 to
900 francs on these beaming ladies'
were most discOncerung. Helen was
more than ever convinced that she
could buy gowns just as attractive and
just as cheap in New York.
Besides the wax figures there was
cases after case OF evening gowns,
which could be seen behind glass
doors. Helen roade a general survey
/ of them all and then sat down 10
await an English speaking clerk.
on the chair beside her were
| thrown half a dozen gowns, left there
after they had been shown 10 some
customer. Helen glanced over them
4
/ est, drew from beneath the others a
white chiffon with a pale blue girdle.
! Compared to the bizarre effects OF
I many of the others this was charm
! ingly simple and girlish, with ITS fine
accordian pleated skirt and soft wide
/ girdle. Helen glanced at the price
and was delighted to find that on the
I ticket Occasion" was written in red
ink, and the original 290 francs was
! marked down to 2l0.
There are many English speaking
clerks in the Bon Marche, and in
I few moments saleswoman was
bringing from the cases gown after
gown and displaying them on chairs
/ before Helen. Then she led the way
to a mirrored fitting room where
Helen tried on several, and decided
on the white chiffon.
Very Obliging.
Now can you have this altered by
Thursday noon? ?"
This is Saturday" unused the clerk.
I'll make it special, madame, and
you'll have it Thursday morning. I'll
just call the filter.
She returned with an older French
woman who could not speak English
but r.'hO saw at a glance what alter
atoms were needed, and her deft fing-
ers were soon pinning up the Skin
rand raising the waistline.
How much will the alterations
be-" asked Helen.
Five francs, madame" the clerk
informed her.
Five francs-only one dollarl Helen
looked her surprise at the cheapnets
of this Surely there must be some
mistake, for the dress was much too
large and would practically have to
be re-made.
I'VE charge only five francs for
any alterations" explained the girl.
a gown properly fitted gives much
more satisfaction TO the customer so,
! even at a loss, we'd rather alter a.
/ here
She had taken Helen's address and
now she gave her a slip with the
time of her first fitting. Tuesday at
II, for TO Helen's amaZement there
We're to be two fittings en- this five
franc alteration. Surely the Bon
Marche spent time and money to make
their gowns satisfactory.
What deposit shall I leave?" TAX
ing out her purse.
"Oh, that isn't necessary, madame.
You pay when the gown is finished
or when it is delivered-as you wish"
You mean you alter gowns-rip
them to pieces without q cent de-
pOsit?" Helen asked in astonishment.
The girl smi. d. Many American
ladies are surprised at that. But we
rarely ask for depOsit-and never
from Americans We find them very
good customers"
well that's more than our own
shops would do for us" laughed
Helen. mo american stores would
alter gown without a deposit unless
you had an account there"
1t was half past twelve when Helen
left the fitting room and already the
clerks were strengthening up their
counters for the one o'clock Satur-
day closing
To Meet Warren