The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1916-02-01

renS approval. Helen did not go with
her. Instead she stood waiting by the
dresser, slowly sticking the pins in
the pincushion into long even row.
/ i've had nothing but shirt waists
for so long'-Laura now came in to
be unhooked-'it's a joy to know l
can wear something else"
Thoughtfully Helen hung back the
gowns. She ought to give Laura the
blue one-give it to her outright. She
could not wear it as it was, and it was
hardly worth new overskirt.
| Had their places been reversed, she
knew that Laura, with her reckless
liberalty, would have given it to her
without a thought But it was always
hard for her to part with her clothes
Her desire to hold on to things was a
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" check
ing Laura's effusive thanks. "And
you'll need some satin slippers swept
on by her own generosity. 81 wonder
if | haven't pair you can wear.
''It doesn't matter how soiled they
are"
TRY these"
Laura took off her shoe and strug-
gled with the slender white slipper. If
Warren could see her now, was Hell
ems thoroughly feminine wish.
mo" ruefully, 81 can't begin to get
it on. I knew | couldn't" generously
But I can buy slippers, the dress is
the main thing"
How'll you carry it? In box? Or
shall l just wrap it up?"
| Anyway" hesitatingly. I'm wild
about that knife-pleated skirt. Look
how full it is! Oh, that CAN'T be half
past tent"
That's all right. Warren'll take you
to the car"
| mo, he won't. I'm not bit afraid
| Oh, that papers good enough! Don't
worry about the bundle, | 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. I've got to
make good in the next few weeks, and
having the right kind of clothes will
help.
Left alone, Helen went straight to
the hall closet and again took out the
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 stronger light, with
pltiless scrutiny she noted her every
defect. Her features were as good and
her profile more delicate than Laura's
but her coloringg was less vivid and
her hair less effective.
Helens hair had always been trial,
for it was overtime, clinging and un-
compromisingly straight. Shaking it
down, she did it up more loosely and
fluffed it out with a comb. Then, rub
bing her cheeks with her knuckles un-
til they glowed, she stood 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. If she can hold that down for
a few months-she1l be all right"
"Yes, I'm SO glad. She always
loathed stenography," gathering up the
dresses from the bed in an effort to
hide the one she had on.
shes got an expressive face, good
film face, should say. Never saw her
dolled-up before. Makes big differ
ence. Now hurry up, get those things
put away-it's after eleven.
He had turned away without having
noticed Helen's gown. But her relief
was only momentary, for he promptly
came back.
"Say, We'll have to find out when
they run some of those films"
Then as his glance took in the gown,
"What in thunder! What're you rig
ging up for-this time of night?"
ooh, nothing" confusedly. II just
thought I'd try this on unlocking 1t
with nervous fumbling fingers.
But Warren's keen gaze had pene-
trated her flushed confusion.
Hello, that's it, eh? Thought Lau-
ra looked better in those duds than
you did? Well you ARE little min
N.Y."
# know Laura's younger, and n
know they did look better on" her |
voice broke.