Evening star., 1914-08-06

three years of service at the bank she
had received reprimand from it's head.
The gray day settled round her grayer
than ever. Only that bright splash Of
color across the street offered hope and
cheer. But she dare not look at it open
ly until the noon whistles blew release.
Her lunch In her little brown lunch
box waited. She always brought her
lunch, since 1t was too far to go back
to Mrs. Forsythe's for it. But she had
needed air and exercise more than food,
SO she put on her coat and hat. and took
her UMBRELLA and started forth.
AS she reached the outer door a man,
who was just going out. waited an In
slant to let her precede him. His name
teller. He was tall. thin. grave faced
1t always seemed to Annie that she had
to look up a great way to him. She
imagined he felt he had to look down a
great way to her. The reason for this
lay not actually In the fact that he was
tall and she was short. 1t lay. also. in
the fact that he had almost everything
she had not L family and friends and
money enough to make his salary less
necessity than pleasure
Raw day." he said, pleasantly. as he
drew back the heavy door.
Very" replied Annie.
Outside the door they parted. Pres
emily, when Annie came to her senses.
she found herself across the street. star
ing into MarshallS window at the pink
gown. The sight and sound of Norman
Day always made a fool Of her. A glance
from him disturbed her for half an
hour.
It came to her as she looked at the
pink frock that she would like very
much to have it to wear to the banquet
the president was going to give to his
employees and few others the next even
ing. Norman Day would be there. She
had no fitting gown to we wear: f., sne 1,od nan "a
this dress, with her dark hair and eyes
It was very simple. Of coral crepe. with
a little film of white at elbows and neck
and q wide girdle of black satin. Per
haps she could afford to buy 1t: She
would go in and see. The frock was
lust her size and the price was $1S.
Annie sasped Eighteen dollars was
Just once and half as much as her
whole weeks salary. She was not given
stockings and made her own shirt
waists. trying never to forget that
rainy day which constantly threatened
all bread winners. But seldom IN all
her life had she wanted awning as
she wanted that coral frock
"shau / send it homo for your in
quired the clerk
Annie faltered. 1t was dull day;
no one would be out to buy such a
frock on such a day. And she needed
time to think about 1t. 1t seemed SO
wildly foolish a thing for $12 a week
girl to pay $1s for a frock that she
might never have more than one
chance to wear.
..Tll let you know this afternoon"
she said And fed back to her bananas
and meat sandwiches.
Two hours later the outer door OF
the presidents private room opened
and admitted girl who wore all the
latest things in blue serge. velvet and
extreme violette. She was as fresh and
pretty as the roses on her own breast,
and she knew it. too. She was Miss
Mcclure, the presidents daughter.
How do, Miss Mitchell" she said.
carelessly. And passed on into the big
room to find her father.
Her entrance drew scattering smiles
and mods like posies from a bouquet.
She moved along until she came to
Norman Day. Then she paused. Annie
saw them laughing together.
Twice Annie had to whisk her spoil
ed copy Off the typewriter and insert
heard somewhere impressed itself upon
her: Mcclure wants Day for his girl.
That's why he gave him the job he
did" It might be SO.
Annie was pounding the keys with
despairing fingers when Miss Mcclure
came back. followed by her father.
isn't 1t a shame?" she was saying.
THAT lazy old dressmaker says she
can't get my gown done for Saturday
evening. papa. And l must have a new
one to wear If l go. / saw such a
pretty one in Marshalrs window as l
came by. I've a great mind to go right
over and get 1t. Give ME some money,
please"
"You don't need any money. Doro-