Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1915-10-20

1oor was pushed open by a tired, frail,
but capable-looking woman, whom
Helen knew was the buyer She was
followed by the blonde saleslady and
Mr.. Carter. Everybody began talk
ing at once in excited, high-pitched
voices-everybody but the buyer, and
she only listened. Then she turned
to Helen with a brief Tin very sorry
that such a mistake has happened.
A suit is usually sold by the coat, but
I'll have to see the other customer"
Right in the next room," and Miss
Boyd led the way triumphantly.
Again Helen was left alone, a chok-
ing sense of thwarted Indignation in
her throat. She would not get the
suit. Everybody always took advan-
tage of her. She could never hold her
own.
An endless wait; then Miss Walker
rushed in with triumphant:
TITS yours! You see, all the marks
stock number and cost-are on the
coat ticket. That's what decided it!
Oh, she's making an awful row-she's
boiling!"
What did she say?" eagerly, then
quickly ashamed of her question.
when she couldn't get the suit
she even tried to buy the skirt"
1.-THE skirt?" repeated Helen. why.
she wouldn't want just the skirt?"
"Of course not, but she's deter
mined you shouldn't have it! She's
still arguing-hasnt taken it off yet.
but she doesn't want that. Says she'll
withdraw her account, and never
Oh joyfully, there's the skirt now,"
as Mr.. Carter handed it in.
1t was with a sense of citation, Of
thrilled exultancy, that later Helen
left the shop. For once she had tri-
umphed.
element she had not even tried on
the skirt but since it was just plain
model it could not be far wrong.
They were almost through dinner
when Emma brought in the large box
marked special" Dropping her nap
kin, Helen started up with an ex-
cited, ooh, it's my suit! I'm wild to
see it!''
See here, the suit can wait-you
finish your dinner"
But already Helen had it out of
the box and was trying on the coat.
Wait, dear, I'll put on the whole
thing-you can tell so much BETTER
and gathering up the package she ran
into her room.
But her heart sank as she slipped
on the the skirt. 1t was made with a
yoke, a style she never liked, for the
line across the hips took from her
height. And the coat-somehow il
did not look quite the same! But
then she had had On her hat-per
haps that made some difference.
Anxious for Warren's opinion, she
ran back to the dining room. AS she
turned slowly around before him, he
viewed the suit in stolid silence.
mot crazy about it. Big enough fol
two of you
ooh no, it's just the skirt that:
too long-and the sleeves"
All right, if you're satisfied. You're
the one that's got to wear it,
But Helen was not satisfied. She
had Emma leave her dishes to pj1
up the skirt. Then she spent the mex
hour viewing it in the various mir
rors-her discomfort growing as shs
found new faults.
Take it back if you don't like it.
growled Warren, exasperated by he
constant appeals as to what he though
Of this or that alteration.
ooh, l can't ask them to take thi
back" flushing.
why not? You're not so blame,
scrupulous about firing things back.
"Oh, but this is different anothe
woman wanted the suit! Oh, the
had a time! They had to send for tn
foorwalker and the buyer An
then came the story with all its dc
tails.
That's rich!" Warren threw BAG
his head and roared "Ha-ha, r.
have given farm to see you tw
women scrapping. Butted right i
with the skirt on, did she? ReguIa
hatr-pulling scene, eh?"
"Oh, she was so insolent about it.!
Indignantly.
well, can't see that you wer
such perfect lady,"
why, I simply held on to til
coat! You certainly don't think
should have given it up to herr"
Huh, seems nowsyou're deuced So
ry you didn't! should say sh
got the best Of that deal. Looks lik
you're the one that's stung."
Almost in tears Helen went in t
take off the suit. AS she hung it o
a form in her closet, she thought {
the months it must hang there, {
the countless times she must wear
and always with d1staste. For sh
never wore with comfort thing ths
, she disliked.
It was bitter price for few m,
ments Of triumph Other people wer