The Tupelo journal., 1916-01-28

row.
I've had nothing but shirtwaists
for 80 long"-Laura now came In to
be unhooked-'it's a Joy to know !
can wear something else"
T~houghtfully Helen hung back the
gowns. She ought to give Laura the
blue one-give 1t to her outright. She
could not wear 1t as 1t was, and 1t was
hardly worth a overskirt.
Had their places been reversed, she
knew that Laura, with her reckless
l~iberality. would have given 1t 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 q
failing that she had constantly to
strive against.
She had hung up the blue gown, but
now she forced herself to take 1t down
again.
Laura, I'm going to give you this.
It's selfish to talk of lending it when
I've 10 many. No, please don't" check
ing Laura's ELUSIVE thanks. And
you'll need some satin slippers" swept
on by her own generosity. Il wonder
If l haven't a 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. II
Warren could see her now, was Hell
ems thoroughly feminine wish.
mo" ruefully, e can't begin to get
1t on. I knew I couldn't" generously.
But l 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" h~eedlessly. I'm wild
about that knife-plaited skirt. Look.
how full it is! Oh, that can't be half.
past tent"
That's all right. Warrenll take
you to the car"
"No, he won't. I'm not a bit afraid.
Oh. that papers good enough. Don't
worry about the bundle, I don't care
what it looks like"
When she wal ready to 60, in spite
of her protests, Warren insisted on
going to the car.
At the elevator she kissed Helen
gratefully.
81 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,
Turning on a stronger light, with
pitiless scrutiny she noted every de-
feet. 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 1t was overtime, clinging and IN
compromisingly straight. Shaking 1t
down, she did it up more loosely and
1uffed 1t out with a comb. Then, rub
bling 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. II she can hold that down
for a few months-sheu be all right"
eyes, I'm SO glad. She always
loathed. stenography," gathering up the
dresses from the bed In an effort to
hide the one she had IN.
"She's got an expressive face. good
film face. l should say. Never saw
her d~olled-up before. Makes q big diff
ference. Glad you gave her that
dress. 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 rigging up for
this time of night?"
"Oh, nothing" c~onfusedly. Il just
thought I'd try this on" unlocking It
with nervous fumbling fingers.
But Warren's keen gaze had pene-
trated her flushed confusion.
"Hello. that's it, Ell? Thought
Laura looked better In those buds
than you did? Well you are = little
ninny!"
Il know Laura's younger, and
know they did look better on" her
voice broke.
"For the love of Mike! Can you beat
that! See here. il there's n thing
you can't sidestep-it's getting old!
II that's all you've got to worry about
you're blame lucky"
"Oh, / dread to get old" passionate