Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-02
No. 38-Fine Feathers

~%% 49,
y Borrowed plumage may be be- y
y coming to a girls face, but it
y does not glorify her soul.
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1 don't know now how 1 had the
ually carry out my plan for get
ting a handsome gown to wear to the
birthday party Howard Boyd was going
to give me. The little frock Adelaide
Powell, who worked in Silberstein'S
with me, had given me weeks before
was now soiled and shabby. 1t had
seen a good many gay parties. Doubt
less my mother would have given me
another gown on the same order. But
with each party 1 had to in the gay
restaurants of the city my avaricious-
ness had grown. In envied the women
1 had seen clothed in their splendid cos
tunes that 1 knew had cost hundreds
of dollars. 1 never stopped to think
that such costumes were utterly out
of keeping with my surroundings, and
even with my age. L simply had set
my heart upon being dressed luxurious
ly and in the height of fashion.
1t took courage OF sorts to carry
out my plan. Strangely enough it
worked quite smoothly. I came in
with my suitcase in the morning and 1
think only one girl made any comment
upon it.
Going away she asked.
Yes" 1 answered as casually as L
could. Just over night, though"
And when it was almost dark and
time for us to go home, 1 slipped quiet
ly into the costume department, took
down a frock which l had selected in
my mind from it's hook. Then, made
more daring with the comparative ease
with which the thing was going. 1 also,
after but a moments hesitation, threw
a handsome evening wrap over my arm.
Boldly 1 walked through the department
into the dressing room, where my suit
case was. 1 realized that if any one
were to see me with these things across
my arm, it would be imagined that 1
was taking them to show to some Gus
toner. But an instant after 1 entered
the dressing room l had the gown and
wrap safely in my suitcase.
That. night my mother came into my
room when 1 was dressing. 1 was just
slipping into my magnificence. The
evening coat 1 had taken, a wonderful
brocaded affair with a sable collar, was
thrown across my bed. Mother took in
my finery with glance.
where did you get all that?" she
asked quickly.
L
mined upon. 1 turned at once and tod
her the truth. For a moment her face
was a study. Then suddenly the eX-
preston of it broke up, and she laughed.
You will get on in the world" she
said as she turned away. You have
what must be your fathers American
genius for business You will get on!
L am not going to worry about you
much in the future"
And as 1 faced my reflection a few
minutes later as 1 stood before my
dressing table 1 felt that surely the
years must hold something very good
for me. For lovely 1 was. 1 know it.
Really beautiful, with my slim young
shoulders rising from the folds of sill
yer lace; my face vivid, alive, regular
of feature, surrounded by masses of
soft black hair. 1 looked to see How
ard, my young admirer, utterly over
whelmed by me that night. But my
grandeur had an unaccountaible effect
upon him. OF course, his eyes widened
when he saw me. For a moment he
stood silent; then he gave a long
whistle.
"Geep he said. you are a peach!
Turn around; let's seer And then,
curiously, Where did you get all the
glad rags?"
"Oh, 1 got them?" I answered airily.
Eyes, 1 suppose you did, Howard
said in a strange tone. isn't that
sable on your coat?"
nodded
IT thought you were hard up" said
Howard slowly.
But later at the dinner itself ] read
the success of my costume in the
glances of the other young people there.
The girls were frankly envious. The
young men seemed carried away by the
picture 1 made. One boy in particular,
Towards friend, sat close by my side
all evening and could not be drawn
away. He was not as good looking as
Howard His features were much
coarser and there was something in his
manner that made me unconsciously
shrink. But 1 was told that his father