Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-09
Euening Story
BY HILDA MORRIS.
BLUE CHIFFON.
Copyright, 1917, by the McCiufo
Newspaper Syndicate.)

Ellen Emery, on the train going to
visit her cousins in the city, was wos.
rying about her clothes. She had not
great many, and her dress was very
simple. They were IN good TASTE
she felt sure that no one could lind
fault with her dark blue SILK or her
white evening frock on the GROUND OF
taste-but they lacked in style, tnat
indefinAble quality which seemed Ialr-
ly to ooze from the garments worn py
her city-bred cousins. She did not
wish them to be ashamed OF ner, nor
did she wish to be pitted. but sne SIM
My could not afford to BUY more
dresses.
"I hope there won't be many par
ties she told herself as the train pull
ed into the station. "And l 90 nope
they won't notice my things mucn.
What is. there about the city that al
ways makes one think clothes! I'm
glad live in the country
The cousins met her with their car
two tall. fashionably attired young
girls, with white furs and very correct
looking hair and compilations. Ellen
was not unaware that their quick eyes
swept over her plain "ready-made' suit
and her hat appraisingly, or that they
exchanged meaning glances over her
shoulder. However, they greeted ner
very kindly. They meant well, ana
Ellen climbed into the car beside
them, resolving not to let clothes spoil
her, even il she could not help think
ing about them. :,
you're Just in time for dance"
said Dorothy, as they spun along.
There's to be an awfully nice one at
the club tonight Bob will take you.
and you're sure to meet some awfuAy
nice men," ~.
her heart sank little. Not that she
did not love to dance, but IAN awfully
nice" dance sounded little fearsome.
Her white frock would make little i'm
preston in a gathering of real evening
gowns. However--and she squared her
shoulders bravely-she resolved not to
let clothes keep her from enjoying the
dance.
IA it turned out, however, Dorothy
and Louise had already planned out
what she was to wear.
We've got a present for you" Lou
Use said as she helped Ellen unpack
her steamer trunk. "a perfectly stun
ming gown; wait, I'll get it.. You see,
we Just happened to see this frock at
a bargain, and 1t WAS too small Tor
either one OF us, so we thought OF you
right away. It was SO lovely We just
had to buy it"
Louise danced away to get the dress,
and Ellen felt tears Of modification
come to her eyes. OF course, they had
known she would come without proper
clothes, they knew she was a country
cousin" and they had bought her a
dress to wear, so that they need not
feel ashamed of her. However. they
meant to be kind, and she could not
refuse.
Indeed, the gown was SO lovely that
1t would have taken a Spartan mind
to refuse it. OF blue chiffon, with
flowers Of pink and mauye and yellow,
it was irresistibly charming, with FL
lens golden hair and delicate coloring.
The girls blue eyes grew starry with
delight as she loked at herself in the
mirror. After all. she was chic and
far prettier than either Dorothy or
Louose. She had never in her life
looked SO well before. She let Dorothy
arrange her hair in very modfsh
fashion, and consented to borrow a
necklace Of Louise's. So that when she
was dressed she looked like different
person from plain little Ellen Emery.
OF Weedport.
There's perfectly wonderful new
man coming to this dance" remarked
Dorothy, and II they aren't careful,