New Britain herald., 1917-06-19
What Is the Real Reason for DicAy's
 Shopping Trip?

shopping Trip?
 I think my heart stopped beating for a moment when in the suit depart ment of Hambel's, where was sitting waiting for Mrs. Durkee's return from the fitting room. saw Dicky and the girl I knew only as Edith" together.
 I had seen her but once before. With her sister she had appealed to Dicky for help when they were in danger of being crushed in the crowd surrounding Madison Square Garden upon the night of the Presidents s speech there. had been hurt at the time by the contrast between Dickys reassuring nod and call to her and the curtness with which he had dis missed my fears.
 Then had come the terrifying moment when she had slipped from sight in a sudden surge of the crowd, and her sister had called piercingly. "Dicky, they're killing Edith" Re- gardless of the fact that he had left me alone in that awful mob, he had battled to the girls rescue, only to lose sight of me.
 All the vague fears which had been mine at the discovery of the foolish little kodak print of Dicky and the sisters rushed back to me supple mented by the uneasiness which had felt at my husbands increasing even ing engagements with '.art editors'' in the city.
 Was this girl the explanation of Dicly's absence. of his preoccupations of the hours of writing and sketching he spent in his room. My fears an- swered the question in the affirmative, even as my jealousy queried what possible reason they could have for being in the suit section of depart ment store together.
 Just to Advise Her?
 had not long to wait for the answer, for they stopped near enough to where was sitting for me to hear their voices, and heard Dicky's voice in courteous reply to the saleswoman's query:
 Something in a white suit or Q blue and white and white effect for this lady. I want something stunning and in the very latest mode you have. something especially striking, which at the same time will suit her as if 1t had been made especially for her."
 "I understand" The saleswoman motioned them to chairs which for tunately for me were placed so that their backs were toward me. T will bring you what we have directly"
 I sat petrified with horror, in which jealous rage mingled strongly. Dicky was buying clothing for that girl! That was my first thought, and then there came to me the saving idea that perhaps he was only assisting her in the selection of her suit. I | knew Dicky's susceptibility to flattery. and this ultra-feminine Virginia girl with her patrictan face and her help less air was just the typo to appeal to him, if she had asked his aStist judg- ment as to her clothing, as was cer- i, tain she had done.
 There was but one thing for me to do, however, and that was to get out of the vicinity as quickly and as l quietly as I could. Not for worlds ! would I have Mrs. Durkee see what ] I had seen. Before their saleswoman l came back. before they had . chance 1 to turn their faces in my direction. I l must leave.
 'sWhat Is the 8fatser?"
 Cautiously. silently, I wriggled out l of my chair ,and walked some dis l tance away before venfured to ac- cost . saleswoman and ask the direc- l ton to the fitting rooms. counted l myself lucky to meet my little neigh l bor coming out of one of the doors.
 What is tho matter?" she asked. She glanced sharply at me as she did 50.
 What is the matter7'' she asked. You are as white as paper. Have you seen . ghost ?"
 < 'od. no." returned in n careiessi