The Southern herald., 1917-03-30

EOAAlE AlAAU AAGA UWAa
Violet felt she could not stand the
humiliation of Wendelrs surprise or
covert amusement at the boarding
house parlor or the bOarders. It was
such long way from his world. He
must see that 1t was, and doubtless he
would feel that she could never get
there. No, it was all very hopeless.
What was she to do? She remembered
now that someone had come up and
interrupted, and she had not given
him her address. Oh, well, perhaps
he would not take the trouble to find
out, and she was worrying for nothing.
Even Mrs. Bagden, an old friend Of
her mothers, did not know where she
lived, but addressed her at the store.
AS the days and weeks went on and
she saw no more of Blake Wendell, Vi
olet wondered If Cinderella kept on
thinking about the prince after that
last ball, or whether she had the
strength of mind to forget him. She
took herself severely to task for not
being able to forget, when clearly she
ought to.
One day there came letter to ViO-
let at the store. She knew the instant
she saw the envelope 1t was from Mrs.
Bagden. Yes, it was an invitation to
Christmas eve party. Her heart
gave a great bound. Would she see
him again? Oh, who that has been
just where this girl was can know
what that meant? He lived in New
York, where there were SO many
places to go on Christmas eve, per-
haps he would not come. Besides,
there loOmed up the awful problem
Of what to wear. Her simple little
summer gown had done for the warm
evening of the musicale, but for this
affair she had nothing. However, with
small expense, and sewing evenings,
she decided she might make over an
old frock to be presentable.
Before she had finished the dress,
Mabel Hard, the girl next at Violet's
counter was taken i'll and had to go
home Violet knew the condition of
things at Mabel's home. Her mother
was out working during the day and
only a younger sister Of about ten
years of age was able to be of any
service. AS soon as she could get
away she went around to see her. Ma
bel was so i'll that she had to get a
physician. He declared she must re-
main quiet for several days, and not
think Of going to work. This wor-
ried the poor girl into a heightened
fever. 1t lacked only a few days Of
Christmas, and the holiday trade made
the loss of one hand a serious mat
ter. Besides she had promised to
work Christmas eve and the night
before that as Miss Manning had ar
ranged to have those evenings off. Vlo-
let agreed to work in her stead. 1t
meant a big sacrifice, but she could see
no other way.
AS the hustling, jostling crowd i'm
portuned her to be waited on, and she
glanced up at the clock which pointed
to nine, she thought how at this time
she had meant to be starting for the
Christmas party, something like tears
was very near her eyes. Just then
Mabel's mother came up to her.
mabel has made me come to take
your place." she said. "She has just
heard how you gave up a party for her
sake, and she's feeling terribly"
'Who told herr" asked Violet with
some vexation. "Now, I don't mind 0
bit. can't go, because l couldn't fin
ish my dress. Just tell her not tC
worry"
A young man buying something al
the opposite counter, Overhearing the
conversation, listened. He came W
quickly to Violet.
"Aliss Manningw he cried in gen
uine amazement.
"Mr WENDELL" exclaimed Violet il
equal surprise.
"COme right along" he laughed
''I'm not going to be cheated out of ,
dancer
"But haven't any Dress" she pro
tested.
"There are dresses enough there.
Somehow he whirled her out of tn
I store and into his car, and when h
e had slowed her among the furs toll
l her how he had tried to find her ad
dress, and no one seemed to know
t and how he had blessed his lucky star
h that something for the Christmas tire
i had brought him to that store. Mrs
t Bagden, of course, could not resist hi
e demand for party gown, and Vlole
+ looked so perfectly stunning that, be
g ing a young man who did things raj
= idly, he proposed to her before tn
r evening was over.
o "What you did for that girl" h
g said. "That was splendid"
|, So Violet found after all his worl
n was hers