South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-23
By MABEL HERBERT URNER.

When Helen hung up the telephone
receiver. she hurried straight to the
clothes closet in her room. and hastily
Cnpinned the sheet that covered her
best gowns.
Taking from its hanger a pale-blue
evening gown, she spread 1t out on the
bed. Against the white Counterpart
il looked even more soiled than she
had feared. Oh. why had she put off
having it cleaned? She should have
known that something unexpected
would come up, and she would nave
nothing TO wear.
Since they had moved into their
new apartment Helen had been so
busy getting settled and then getting
ready for Christmas, that she had mad
no time or thought for clothes she
bad needed new evening gown gadly
but had wanted to wait until the Jan
uary clearance sales, hoping TO get
something greatly reduced.
Just that morning she had cut out
the advertisement Of an exclusive
shop announcing their annual stock
taking reductions. Evening and din
ner gowns, imported models at less
than cost of importation.
But even if she could find what she
wanted. there would not be time 10
have anything fitted and delivered To-
dav. Again she turned back 10 the
gown on the bed Perhaps at night
il would not look so sOiled. quickly
she drew down the blinds and switch
ed on the lights. then held the gown
up before her and looked at 1t In the
mirror.
she heard her sweeping III the nall
come here a moment
Maggie came 10 the door "a dust
cloth in her hand,
come look at this, demanded
Helen. do you think it's too soiled
for me &c wear tonight? Yes, l know
it's dreadful around the bottom, as
Maggie stopped over and turned up
the skirt, but that won't show much.
DO YOU think the waist looks too
sOiled?" .r
eyes. miss" with blunt honesty. i
think that looks right sOiled. Ain
YOU got nothing else you can wear
mo. since 1 ripped up that lavender
silk. this Is my only evening gown
And Mr.. Curtis Just phoned It's u
be a dress affair."
Cant YOU dip it in GASOLINE" sug-
gested Maggie, that would fresheh
yes. / thought of that" for Helen
was an expert at gasoline cleaning
But there wouldn't be time now Tor
the odOr 20 get out.
a distant bell rang family, and Maggie
hurried off.
It served her right. Helen had told
herself fiercely for not always having
at least one dress ready for an emer-
gency. III il was anything else, she
could make some excuse not To GO
but this was the recital of Mr. Court
news daughter, who had just return
cd from Europe and was making her
first professional appearance.
Warren had just telephoned. saying
that Mr.. Courtney had evidently mail
ed him the tickets last week, but that
he had Just found them on his desk
and that the recital was TO be to-
night.
ITS a nuisance. of course. but
Wen have to SO" he grumbled.
Courtneys been pretty decent to me
in a number of ways. and / don't want
20 offend him. I suppose We'll have
TO dress-it's sure to be dress at
fair"
And then he had rung off before
Helen had time TO protest that she
did not have "a THING 10 wear"
For fully half an hour Helen an
cuished over the sOiled blue gown,
trying TO think of something she
could do that would make il present
able Ii was the chiffon which drap-
ed the waist and formed The over
skirt that was the most soiled. And
at last she decided there was but one
thing 70 do-tO rip OF all the chiffon
and wash IL.
II would wash beautifuny-but
would she have time 20 get it all on
again? Ii would he almost like re-
making the dress. But there was no
other way. A moment later she had
drawn a low chair on the bed and
with desperate haste began ripping off
the chiffon.
Maggie" she called. get out that
clothes rack and put on couple OF
irons I'm going 10 wash this out and
press IL while it's damp"
Tt was o'clock when she began.
BY the chiffon, looking like new,
was ready TO put hack. But 10 get il
back right would mean fully a DAYS
work. and she had only until half past
eight.
At the telephone rang Helen
told Naggie 70 answer IT,
IF it's any one calling saw that
I'm not in" she warned her. Il just
can't see any one this afternoon"
IL was Mrs. Dawson and Helen par
ticularly wanted 20 see her. vet she
dared not take a moment from her
work. \ little later Carrie. Warren's
sister. called and she was told that
Mrs. Curtis was out.
At Warren came. but Helen. Tor
once. Gid not run 60 meet him.
What's all this ." he demanded. APP
pearing at the door OF her room.
"Oh dear. I've got 20 finish this
It's the only thing I've got 10 wear.
and IL was perfectly filthy, I washed
all this chiffon and I'm trying TO get
it back"
Hugh. why don't YOU keep your
clothes IN order Your always hav-
ing 70 make over dress every time
We go anywhere"
But Helen. sewing like mad. did not
have time 10 be indignant
Dear. ! can't stop for dinner" she