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

lnlrLy QCllafS week! repeated
Helen. "Oh, I'm SO glad for you!"
yes, it does seem princely after
three years of pounding that type
writer. When l gave Mr.. Richards no.
tice--he offered to raise me to fifteen"
Laura's laugh was harsh. Generous
! of him, wasn't it,"
you've always been so bitter
against him"
"Why shouldn't l be-" defiantly.
"The work l did was worth more and
he knew it! Now I'm through. Didn't
glory in telling him!"
But these moving picture people
how did you get in touch with them?'
"Mr Carr boarded. where l did last
winter He thought then he could get
me in-but only as an extra. They pay
IS day, but the works uncertain and
was afraid to risk it. Last week he
called up and said there was chance
in the regular company; to come right
over and see Mr.. Stanley, the direc-
|tor.
"And he engaged you at once?"
mo, I'd no experience except that
one week with the Universal. But they
were to take some pictures in Jersey
the next day, Sunday, and he said he'd
try me out l was terrified. l felt ev-
erything depended on my work that
day But it was cloudy and they didn't
do much, so l had only one scene
Monday they put me in stock at thirty
a week. Now it's up to me to make
good
"Oh, you will,' encouraged Helen
warmly. II know you will"
"If only | had some clothes! l need
an evening gown desperately. They
lent me one for supper scene, but it
was mile too big"
"Why, I'll gladly lend you any of
mine"
"Oh, didn't mean that" Then i'm
petuously. But if you could-until I
have a chance to get some"
you know I'd love to. Come In
here, we'll look over what l have"
Her best gowns Helen kept in the
large hall closet. And now she took
down several from their hangers and
turned them right side out.
you've so many! enviously. "Oh,
how attractive! | love this!" Laura
held up a pale blue chiffon, with
knife-pleated underskirt.
That's old / got that in London
on our first trip, three years ago. Look
how badly it's worn-the chiffon's all
pulled in front.
"But that wouldn't show in the pic
ture. 1t doesn't matter If they're soiled
or worn, it's only the style and mater
ial that show"
"Try it on" urged Helen. mo, sir,
you can't lie THERE!" lifting Pussy
Purr-Mew from the soft fluffiness Of
white charmeuse.
Slipping out of her skirt waist and
skirt, Laura, radiantly expectant, rails
ed the blue chiffon over her head.
"Your corset covers too high" as
Helen started to hook the gown. wait
| can turn it in"
"Oh. it's so graceful-and it just fits
me. I'm wild about it,
"It does look well. didn't think we
ere so near the same size"
"What're you two doing in there?"
called Warren, who always resented
being left alone in the evening.
"Laura's trying on some of my
gowns She may have to borrow one
for the pictures" Then impulsively,
Go let Warren see you in that"
Aglow with excitement, Laura ran
into the library
Great" laying down MS paper
Say, that's stunning on you! Suits
YOU better than it does Helen"
Helen knew this was true, but she
shrank from having it put into words.
Though they had been schoolmates.
Laura, with her cloudy hair and vivid
coloring, was several years younger;
and, beside her, Helen felt suddenly
colorless and old.
When she tried on the next gown,
she whirled about before the mirror,
then darted off with a joyous Il want
Mr.. Curtis to see this one"
Turn around" commanded Warren.
"Jove. you can wear Helen's clothes
all right. That suits you to g T.
Helen had grown very quiet. She
was genuinely fond of Laura, but she
could not keep back the vague bitter
ness that every woman feels toward
another who is younger and more
striking.
AS she hooked Laura into the last
gown. she glanced over her shoulder
into the glass. Yes, she looked older, |
decidedly older.
II shouldn't think of borrowing this
its too new and fresh
"Oh, you wouldn't hurt it." Helen
tried to be generous.
Mono, one of the others will do
just as WELL"
This time when she ran in for War