The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-22

rem. "Jove. you can wear Helcn's
clothes all right. That suits you to
IT,"
Helen had grown very quiet. She
was genuinely fond of Laura, but
she could not keep back the vague
bitterness that every woman feels
toward another who is younger and
more striking.
AS she hooked Laura into the last
gown, she glanced over her shoulder
into the glass. Yes, she looked
older, decidedly older.
Il shouldn't think of borrowing
this-it's too new and fresh"
"Oh, you wouldn't hurt it." Helen
tried to be generous.
Mono. one of the others will do
just as we'll"
This time when she ran in.for War
ren's approval, Helen did not go with
her. Instead she stood waiting by
the dresser, slowly sticking the pins
in the pincushion into a long even
row.
1--WE had nothing but shirt waists
for SO long'-Laura now came in to
be unhooked-"it's joy to know /
can wear something else"
Thoughtfully Helen hung back the
gowns. She ought to give Laura the
blue one-givc it to her outright. She
could not wear it as it was, and it
was hardly worth a new overskirt.
Had their places been reversed, she
knew that Laura, with her reckless
liberality, would have given it to her
without a thought But it was al
80 la
clothes. Her desire to hold on TO
things was failing that she had
constantly to strive against.
She had hung up the blue gown,
but now she forced herself to take
it down again.
Laura, I'm going to give you this.
It's selfish to talk Of lending it when
I've so many. No. please don't"
checking Laura's ELUSIVE thanks.
And you'll need some satin slip
pers," swept on by her own generos-
ity. II wonder if haven't pair
you can wear"
at doesn't matter how soiled they
are"
TRY these"
Laura took off her shoe and struc-
gled with the slender white slipper.
If Warren could see her now, was
Helen's thoroughly feminine wish.
NO." ruefully, AZ can't begin to
get it on. l knew / couldn't" gen.
erously "But / can buy slippers, the
dress is the main thing.
How'll you carry it? In a box?
Or shall l just wrap it up?"
Anyway" heedlessly. I'm wild
abo. that knife-pleated skirt. Look,
how full it is! Oh, that CAN'T be
half-past ten"
That's all right. Warren1l take
you. to the car"
NO, he won't. Pm not a bit
afraid. Oh. that papers. good
enough! Don't worry about the bun
die. l don't care what it looks like"
When she was ready to go, in spite
of her protests, Warren insisted on
going to the car.
At the elevator she kissed Helen
gratefully.
Il can't tell you how much this
means to me just now. Eve got to
make good in the next few weeks,
and having the right kind of clothes
will help"
Left alone, Helen went straight to
TIT NioSSl anu tOOh OUT TIC
gowns. Throwing them on the bed
in her room, she began to try them
on. She had morbid desire to see
herself in them now-to make more
definite the aching comparison that
obsessed her.
Turning on a stronger light, with
pitiless scrutiny she noted her every
defect. Her features were as good
and her profile more delicate than
Laura's, but her coloring was less
vivid and her hair less effective.
Helen's hair had always been a
trial, for it was overtime, clinging
and uncompromisingly straight |
Shaking it down, she did it up more |
loosely and fuffed it out with a comb. |
Then, rubbing her cheeks with herl
knuckles until they glowed, she stood i
back from the mirror to get the full |
length effect.
In her absorption she had not |
heard Warren come in. And now she |
started violently as he appeared at
the door of her room.
Mighty fine that Laura's landed |
that JOB. II she can hold that down
for . few months-she1l be all right" |
yes I'm 90 glad. She always