Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-30


" wish l could take you over to tn
horse show in New York tomorrow
night said Jim Chambers. speaking
with the frankness of an engaged
young man to his worshipping fiancee
But I can't. I'm dead broke.
Edythe Merritt sighed resignedly.
IF you only could" she suggested
II would wear my green taffeta.'
But ! can't" Jim looked off into
the distance. bordering over the whin
OF fate which had given him a three
thousand dollar income and a 1ou'
thousand dollar mountaineering
How much would the horse show cos
us?" he asked finally.
About twenty-five dollars Edythe
looked hopeful
Nope! You'd better give up al
hope Jim smiled whimsically at his
impromptu rhyme. I've got just ter
dollars to my name and that has tc
last me for three days"
"And my dress is so pretty Edythe
sighed.
"well why not wear it to the club
tonight?'
"I can't: it's an afternoon Dress
whats it like?"
Edythe manifested a slight degree
Of interest. :,
"I'll let you see picture OF 1t II
you care to-" she said rising. ITS II
the April Ladies' STAR
Jim, who had looked at dresses be
fore, finding escape impossible resign
ed himself to his fate.
;o
opening the magazine and indicating
one OF three young ladies represent1ne
the very latest in spring STYLES. It's
of all silk chiffon taffeta. The body o.
the waist is Of taffeta fitted loosely
over lining. The back is made in a
separate panel shirred at the waist
line and brought around over the
shulders in front in a cape effect. The
shirred Medici collar Of taffeta silk
Jim gazed out OF the window and
wondered If his chum. Dud Chase. was
having a good time at the golf club.
"The vest is OF chiffon over shadow
lace and is trimmed with taffeta but.
TONS" Fdythe's voice droned on. And
well isn't that strange
isn't what stranger"
"Why on this very page is the pat
tern for Doris Towards evening dress.
Jim's eyes opened wide. A picture
Of the country club bazaar as his SIS
ter had described 1t flashed before him:
He started to say something. checked
himself suddenly and assumed an atti-
trda of Indifference.
(which one?" he asked.
"The one next to mine. My. but It's
pretty
mot so pretty as yours You have
a new hat to go with the dress, haven't
you?"
Eyes. Would you like to see it?'
Sure: go M and put 1t on
"All right. I'll he down in a minute
Edythe hurried upstairs: and as soon
as she had disappeared. Jim seized the
MAGAZINE she had laid on the table
and looked long and earnestly at pic
ture of a dimpled young lady in blue
satin. covered with silk net OF the
same shade. Then. hearing signs of
activity from the room above, he has
lily drew forth pen knife and cut
picture and description Of the girl from
the printed page. He just managed to
thrust the clipping into his pocket and
close the magazine before Fdythe re-
appeared radiant in new creation OF
gllded straw.
After supper that evening. before he
took Edythe to the bazaar at the coun
try club. Jim drew a slip of paper from
his rocket and consumed fifteen long
minutes in learning. word for word. the
detailed description Of certain even.
ing gown. Reaching the club. he wan.
dered around with seeming aimless'
ness. gradually drawing his compan
ION toward certain ante room, ovef
the door of which were emblazoned the
words. "The Great Dress Description
Contest"
What's this, I wonder" he said in.
differently, having plotted Edythe to
the scene of his proposed activity.
Its a guessing contest" the girl
explained. Doris Howard has on her
new evening dress. Any man who
thinks he knows anything about
dresses is given FIVE minutes in which
to write a description of it. The one
who writes the best description wins
the prize Of twenty-five dollars
How much does it cost to try"
Three dollars"
81 ought to know lot about dresses.
hearing you describe yours all the
time" said Jim thoughtfully. Il
guess I'll take chance"
He entered the room and was seated
at a table with paper and pencil be-
fore him.
Describe the dress and sign your
name to the description" pleasant
voice advised him. You're given five
minutes"