The Washington herald., 1916-11-13

TAis series % = eenfinuation Of
srheir Married kife,s produced by
Mabel Herbert Urner for four years.
sThe Married Life Of Helen snd War
rem" appearing exclusively In this pa
per, Il the only series now being writ
ten by Mabel Herbert Urner.
A high-stooped brown stons house. with
modish window curtains and gold-iet-
tered sign; -
"MME. JEANETTE.
GOWNS.
IMPORTED MODELS"
The door was opened by colored- maid.
who ushered Helen into the reception
plates and books Of samples.
A moment later appeared Madame
Jeanette, her stoutness rigidly incased
in black silk. but with nothing suggestive
of France, except her name.
Did some one recommend you here,
may ! ask?" her keen glance appraising
every detail Of Helen's dress.
Mrs. Burnham." stinly, resentins
both the question and the scrutiny.
"Oh, yes, I just sold her charming
little model-siiver net over salmon. DID
you see that?'
Helen admitted that she had. 1t was
the marvellous cheapness Of that gown
that had brought her here. Mrs. Burn
ham had enthusiastically confded that
she had unearthed "nnd''-a place where
one could get imported models, slightly
shop-worn. at less than half their value.
Drawing back the heavy folding doors,
Madame Jeanette now led the way into
the rear room. An -old-fashioned pier
0lasa NJ tha and refecfed the side wRllH
lined with cases.
IAN evening gown? Any special colorf
estimating Helen's slim figure.
Some pale shade-nothing conspicuous
or extreme"
Opening one of the cases, Madame pro-
duced an elaborate gown Of changeablt
taffeta and gold lace.
That's very lovely. but I don't care
for gold lace. nothing tinsely or glitter
ing Something softer-chiffon or sill
net"
I've a Violet model here that'H Jus
suit you." going to another case. There
that's a little beauty; Just your style"
1t was a pale rose silk, velled with
pearl-gray chiffon. charmingly made
with a fichu bodice and quaint full skirt
"Yes. I do like that" admitted Helen
But 1t doesn't seem very fresh" exam
lining the chiffon.
O0, IndI COIncS ITOIu ndnollnB-PulIlue
them on and OF the models. That's Will
We can sell them 30 cheap. can let yor
have this" consulting the ticket. 80
thirty-five"
Helen concealed her amazement Onl!
thirty-five dollars for a gown that mus
have cost three times that to import
Exquisitely lined with white silk. tn
waistband bore the gold-woven name
Violet. IS Rue de Ia Paix.'
Surely there was some mistake. Hat
she misunderstood? Did the woman meal
one hundred and thirty-hve7
Her feminine love for a bargain cloud
ing her sense Of right. Helen's impuls,
was to secure the gown before the mis-
take, II there was one, could be dis
covered.
You're slender: you can wear tina
fichu effect. Would you like to try It on?'
mo. I can tell without that" keeping
the eagerness out Of her voice. 'I thinl
I'll take It."
Surprised at SO quick . sale. Madam.
threw the garment over her arm with
q beaming.
Now can't show you something else
An afternoon wrap"
mo, that'll be all. And you needn't
send that. II you'l do It up in a small
package, not a box. I'll take 1t with me y
When Madame returned with the neatly
wrapped parcel, Helen's fingers tremblet
slightly as she gave her the money.
II believe that's right" watching tense
ly her powder-creased face, fearing ar
indignant protest. as she recounted tn;
bills.
But Madame calmly pocketed the
money with a suave. you wouldn't bt
interested in an evening wrap? I've some
lovely models
mo. thank you. not this afternoon,
anxious to escape.
II was not until Helen turned the cor.
ner that she felt secure in the possession
Of the tightly held package. Her one
thought now was to get home and try or
the gown. In her impatience, she even
the shade of the yelled silk
m her own room, with a thrill of ex-
ultancy, she spread out the gown on the
bed. It was even more wonderful than
she had thought. The pearl-gray over
rose gave the soft pastel effect that she
loved.
It was strikingly becoming, and. except
that It was q little long-waisted, fitted
perfectly. She would not even have tc
take It on the skirt, for she could run a
tuck In the lining. Anxious to have n
ready to wear, she threw on a kimono
and started at once on this slight altera-
ton.
mo. you can't lie there!'' as Pussy
Purr-mew, having sniffed the new gown
nestled down upon It.
Helen had the tuck almost basted when
her needle struck something hard-a tiny
sachet bag inside the lining! shriveled
and stained, the powder caked, the only
odor 1t now held was faint trace OF
gasoline.
At the same moment she discovered on
one OF the seams some black-inked figures
the unmstakable markings Of cleaner
So the gown had been cleaned! Now
that she knew It, she found other evil
dence in the slightly pulled chiffon and
llmpness OF the taffeta
That the biR shopss uaro