Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-20
WHAT EVERY WOMAN WANTS TO KH
COULEUR DE ROSE
The Romance of Lille Pink Frock

course was finished, he, too, went abroad
for further study and research.
Then suddenly the girls strongminded
dictatorial mother died, and with hei
went the family income too The littl,
daughter led new, Woodworking life
For FIVE long years she had been sten.
ographer.
The fire was blazing cheerfully, and all
tho pictures In It seemed to vanish now.
| Slowly the little stenographer rose and
/ crossed the room to where a large, old
! fashioned trunk was propped against the
wall
Ten years ago tonight" said she
aloud. l wore the pink gown that he liked
! so we'll | have not worn II since be-
cause its memories made me feel too
sad. But since this is the anniversary
of that night I'll wear 1t just for Auld
! Lang Svne!"
Suiting the action to the words. she
soon unearthed the treasured frock. The
shmmering satin had the softest, ten
derest glow. She slipped 1t on, and hur-
| riCd to the nearest mirror.
Excitement and old memories In the
hrelight had awakened a rose-color on
the little stenosraphers thin cheeks.
why, l am almost pretty tonightl'
she said. and gazed into the glass.
This gown does not look so dreadfully
old-fashioned, after all. But 1t needs
roses just like those ! wore 10 years ago
to make It perfect. Since this Is my
birthday, l will treat myself to some!"
She slipped a shabby cloak around her,
and crossed the street to the nearest
florists. Two dollars for SIX miss" said
the man. as he handed her a sheaf of
glorious pink blossoms.
The little stenographer left the place
in happy dream. The scent Of roses
that she loved was all around. The
satin smoothness Of their petals touched
her face
"A large and bulky woman with an
enormous market-basket on her arm coll
lided most violently with the girl MS she
left the florist $ store. The latter slip
ped on the wet pavement, giving her
ankle a painful twist. She found that
she could scarcely walk, and the large
elderly woman who had colided with her
was most apologetic.
Forgive my stupid clumsiness." she
cried "oh, you are really hurt! Come, I
will help YOU to my masters house-he is
a doctor, and I'm his housekeeper. We're
but newly come to the neighborhood!
He'll soon put that ankle Of yours all
right We live just across the road"
She helped the little stenographer into
the Doctors Office and hurried off to find
her master.
There in the softly shaded room. a sud-
den faintness came upon the girl. She
sank upon the sofa, and the shabby cloak
fell from her slender shoulders to the
ground. The little pink gown was re-
vealed in all It's prett!ness. while the
great sheaf of roses fell in disarray half
on the floor. half on the dress. She closed
her eyes in semi-unConsciousness
Here is a Sleeping Princess!" said
the doctor to himself, as he entered the
room-and then he paused He looked
and looked. and rubbed his eyes as II the
picture that he saw must be dream.
The same pink roses and the same
pink gown he muimured, yes, It is
Laura, little Laura-after all those years.
Pale was the little stenographer's face
there in the lamplight, yet it had a
younger and a prettier look than It had
worn for many a day
The doctor moved forward, and she
slowly opened her dark eyes. There was
one lons pause while they looked silently
at each other-then a rosy blush now
drove the recent palor from her cheeks.
A week later the young doctor paid his
seventh visit to his little patient. She
was progressing splenddly under his
care, and the ankle was now almost
better.
II found a Sleeping Princess in my
ofhce lust a week ago" he said, 'and,
though I did not waken her in the story
book fashion then. I want to do so now"
He stooped and kissed her fondly.
why, Laura dear, I've looked and
waited for you these ten years!' said he.
THE END.