Bogalusa enterprise., 1916-11-09

Voices-everybody but the buyer, and
she only listened. Then she turned
to Helen with brief I'm very sorry
that such a mistake has happened.
A suit is usually sold by the coat, but
III 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 a triumphant:
tits yours! You see, all the marks
stock number and cost--are on the
coat ticket That's what decided it'll
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"
"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-hasn't taken it off yet,
but she doesn't want that. Says she'll
withdraw her account, and never
Oh," joyfully, here's the skirt now"
as Mr.. Carter handed it in.
1t was with a sense Of elation, Of
thrilled exultancy, that later Helen
left the shop. For once she had tri.
umphed.
Then she realized that in her ex-
citement she had not even tried on
the skirt, but since it was just a 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, "Oh, it's my suit I'm wild to
see it!"
See here, the suit can wait--you
finish your dinner"
But already Helen had 1t 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, 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.
Not crazy about 1t. Big enough for
two of you"
"oh no, it's just the skirt that's
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 pin
up the skirt. Then she spent the next
hour viewing 1t In the various mir
rors--her discomfort growing as she
found new faults.
Take 1t back If you don't like it,"
growled Warren, exasperated by her
constant appeals as to what he thought
OF this or that alteration.
"Oh, | can't ask them to take this
back" flushing.
why not? You're not so blamed
scrupulous about firing things back"
"Oh, but this is different--another
woman wanted the suit! Oh, they
had a time! They had to send for the
floorwalker and the buyer" And
then came the story with all Its de-
tails.
That's rich!" Warren threw back
his head and roared. "Ha-ha, I'd
have given farm to see you two
women scrapping. Butted right in
with the skirt on, did she? Regular
hair.pulling scene, eh?"
"Oh, she was so insolent about IT,"
Indignantly.
We'll, | can't see that you were
such perfect lady"
why, l simply held on to the
coat! You certainly don't think I
should have given 1t up to herr"
Huh, seems now you're deuced sor.
ry you didn't! | should say she
got the best Of that deal. Looks like
you're the one that's stung."
Almost In tears Helen went in to
take off the suit. AS she hung It on
a form in her closet, she thought OF
the months 1t mast hang there, Of
the countless times she must wear it
and always with distaste. For she
never wore with comfort a thing that
she disliked.
1t was a bitter price for a few mo.
ments Of triumph. Other people were
always triumphing over her-yet
neither regret nor retribution seemed
ever to come to them.
With an almost vicious bang she