Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-28

Chloe only laughed. oh. no. Uncle
Harry. l don't want to go into bust
ness. Oh, I'm not that kind bit.'
| Not that kind he repeated musing.
| ly.
Going out into the world kind" she
explained 4 like to be at home and
to go outdoors when l want to. And
| to take nice trips in the summer-peo-
pie always ask one. I'd hate to COM
nit myself to an Office. But it was
dear of you to want me-" she added
with belated gratitude. He seemed to
fall into thought, and she surreptiOusly
returned to the brown chiffon, spread
ing it's embroidered tunic over her
knees for study.
There would be the money" he
spoke with an air of afterthought.
"Oh, we get along" said Chloe cas-
| lily. 4 don't care much about money.
Things turn up-like these clothes.
Uncle Harry, do you think l am a
beast to enjoy them so when that poor
girl is-in mourning?"
He rose and trailed slowly out with
out answering, but that was only his
way. If you change your mind I'll
take you on" he said from the door.
without looking back
Il do appreciate it," Chloe insisted,
and dropped the offer out Of her pres
ent mind into the back storage Of con-
seriousness, where it lay forgotten for
many months moment later she
jumped up and ran after him. Tell
Alex to look his grandest,' she COM
handed. He is not going to be let
off with a business suit any longer.
Tell him that Miss Clotilda Gage will
be lovely in brown chiffon embroider-
ed with gold thread in lotus design"
Uncle Harry blinked thoughtfully at
the pavement. Eyes, III tell him. he
said with an odd effect Of reluctance.
Sabra and Ralston, meeting at the
front door, came in as though they
had been out together, though as a
matter of fact they had never volun-
tarily done anything together in their
grown lives. There was no visible
hostility between them: they simply
seemed unacquainted. A horse and a
COW, inhabiting the same stable for
as many years, will pass each other
with the same blank absence of recog-
milton. At Chloe's excited summons
they came in to look.
Il wouldn't confess I had Marjorie
Sections figure for all the clothes in
the city" Ralston said, holding a
blouse at arms length and fitting his
gaze as if it were drawing. Good
spirits with Ralston came out in a
hard, bright gaiety that could buffet
rather roughly. Chloe shrank under
it, but Sabra met it with calm fact.
I'VE all know that Chloe's slimness
is very pretty and graceful; she may
be Marjorie Sections size without CIV
ing at all her effect" she explained.
but dampened Chloe's gratitude by
adding: II don't think much of the
Sexton taste. What pity they are
not prettier!" She went over the gar
ments one by one, dispassionately crit
ical-"As though they were bought
things!" Chloe said to herself, her joy
gone. She had seen the clothes
through a rosy veil! there has been
Cinderella magic in the arrival of the
mysterious bundle, left by gnarled old
Katy. Fancy Cinderella stopping to
criticize the crystal trimming of her
ball gown! Perhaps Chloe herself
would not have chosen the plaid suit
or the saffron blouse: but she would
never have spoiled the glamour by
saying so. She stood by looking
more than ever like the wistful Botti-
celli angel and made no protest. They
were so tall, so sure; their way must
be right But her heart jumped up to
meet her mother. Mrs. Gage was
weary and dusty, gaunt-old scare
crow to alien eyes; but her big, strong
smile and kind voice seemed always to
promise that everything would be
made right.
Mother, look what I've got" Chloe
"oh. they came, did they?" She was
heartily pleased. Chloe, dear, how
pretty! Let me see them ALL" Chloe
spread out the dresses, but a wrinkle
of fear was deepening between her
eyes. Her mother praised them to any
hearts content, but she did not seem
to hear. She tried not to ask, but the
question uttered itself:
"You-knew they were coming?"
81 hoped so, dear. Didn't tell you?
(Chloe, that is handsome blouse;
40 ike COiol VII d younS pSISoli.D
dropped word to Katy, the day of
Mrs. Sections death-she was going
up there. 1t Just occurred to me that
you and Marjorie were about the same
size. Have you tried the suit?"
Chloe had flushed. "Oh-mother!"
she breatheH Mrs. Gage. examining
the gold embroidery, did not notice.
Chloe was clothed in shame, and yet
the other three. older and wiser than
she, evidently saw no cause for wine
ing. Katy, no doubt. had dropped the
hint tactfully as her own idea And
yet-and yet! Up in her room, Chloe
let her finery fall in a disregarded
heap.
81 would rather have worn rags"
she said Then she lifted her face to
her invisible comrade. Am | pen