Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-05-18
"PIans of what2' the sergeant gIar,

"Plans of what?' the sergeant gIared.
shop and marched away with their
regiments. You shall see every one of
them"
Hurry, please! My times limitedr'
the sergeant barked.
Il should think it would be, you're
so charming" Jane flung back over her
shoulder, and she raised the tops of
the baskets. The other women pushed
forward with subdued COOS.
The sergeant plunged his hand un-
der a mass of colored fuffiness, CROPPED
for a minute and brought forth a long
roll of heavy paper. With a fierce
mien he began to unroll the bundle.
"And these?"
"Plans," H%ildebrand's buyer an
swered.
plans of what?' The rgean
glared.
"Of gowns, silly! Here, you're look
ing at that one upside down. This
way. Now. isn't that a perfect dear
of an afternoon gown? See that love
ly basque effect? Everything's moyen
age this season, you know"
Jane, with a shrewd sidelong glance
at the iustered sergeant, ratified on.
bringing gown after gown from the
baskets and displaying them to the
chorus of smothered screams of de-
light from the feminine part of her
audience. One she draped coquettish-
ly from her shoulders and did an ex-
aggerated step before the smoky mir
ror over the m~antelpiece to note the
effect.
isn't it too bad this soldier person
isn't married, so he could appreciate
these beauties? 2" She fieked a mis-
chievous eye his way. "Of course he
can't be married or he'd recognize the
plan of a gown. Clean hands there,
Mr.. Sergeant, if you're going to touch
any of these dreamsl Here, let me!
Now look at that mousquetaire sleeve,
the effect of the war-military, you
know"
The sergeant was thoroughly angry
by this time, and he forced the situa-
ton suddenly neal tragedy. Under his
4nSGIS ii Qc1lCdIC SAAult CldNhlCd Sho-
%piciously.
"Here-your knife! Rip this open!
There are papers of some sort hidden
here" He started to pass the gown
to one of his soldiers. Jane choked pack
a scream.
mo, no! That's ~crinoline, stupid!
No papers, She stretched forth her
arms %appealingly. The sergeant hump
ed his shoulders and put out his hand
to take the opened clasp knife.
A plump, doll faced who pos
sessed an afterglow of prettiness and
a bustling, nervous manner, flounced
through the doors at this juncture and
burst suddenly into the midst of the
group caught in the imminence of dis
aster.
whats this, what's thisY' She
caught sight of the filmy creation drap-
ed from the sergeant's arm. "Oh, the
beauty This in a whisper of admit
ration.
1.-THE last one made by Gerth,' Jane
was quick to explain, noting the ser
geant's confusion in the presence of
the stranger, and this officer is going
to rip it open in a search for concealed
papers. He takes me for a spy"
Surprised blue eyes were turned from
Jane to the sergeant. The latter
shamefacedly tried to slip the open
knife into his blouse, mumbling an ex-
cuse. The blue eyes bored him through.
II call that very stupid, sergeant"
reproyed the angel of rescue. Then
to Jane:
Where are you taking all these Won
derful gowns?'
"To New York. I'm buyer for Hill
debrand's and
But, Lady Crandall, this young wo-
man has no passports-nothing," the
sergeant interposed. MY duty
Bother your duty! Don't you know
a Gerth gown when you see it? Now
go away! I'll be responsible for this
young woman from now on. Tell your
commanding officer Lady Crandall has
taken your duty out of your hands"
She finished with a quiet assurance
and turned to gloat nee more over the
gowns. The sergeant led his COM
mand away with evident relief.
Lady CrandaI turned to include all
the refugees in a general introduction
of herself.
g" am Lad Crandall, the wife of the
go~o-nor general of Gibraltar she
sail. with q warming smile. Il just
c.-me down to see what l could do for
you poor stranded Americans. In these
times"-
IAN American yourself. III gamble
on IT," sherman pushed his way be-
tween the Uttered baskets and seized
Lady Crandal's hands. Knew 1t by
the cut Of your jib-and-your way Of
doing things. I'm Henry j.. Sherman,
Ito Be C~ontInued.)
--~-s