Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-09

THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
FINE FEATHERS
BY HELEN C.. WHITE

A r $3.50 Marilyn sighed as she closed
"A her desk. 1t was not because she
had worked long after the other girls
had gone home to get ready for The
evenings fun, for she was used to DO
ing that: When one has made up her
mind to look after home until brother is
through college she is glad of the chance
to earn a little extra But still she could
not forget that fifmy pink georgette
waist that she had tried on the other
day 1t had given her a new vision of
herself; before she had always scoffed
at the other girls preoccupation with
clothes, but now she knew.
Yet. doubt If Marilyn would have
thought twice of the waist had 1t not
been for the managers new secretary,
whose genial vigor and clever. hand
some face had interested Marilyn as
she never dreamed young man could
the shy, pretty little girl who did not
know how to carry on" with him as
did the other girls only she fancied
he spoke with an added respect when
ever he addressed her.
No wonder Marilyn smiled when a
laughing voice presently interrupted her
thoughts. Miss Day, I'm going to see
YOU home, if | may have the pleasure.
why are you sure?" But he laughed.
""of course. I'm, sure. I'll be ready in
For moment Marilyn forgot her re-
cent perplexity. Mr.. Everest was go
ing to see her home! What wAuld the
other girls say when they heard and
when she wore that new waist? Deity
she tucked the stray curls under her
plain little black hat 1t would be ex-
traNagant. but she wanted to look pretty
more than ever.
She was too excited to see the ad-
miration in Bob Everest's face when he
came over to her desk, and all he said
as they reached the door was Il guess
the moon is waiting for us
beautiful night" she muir
INJURED as they gaZed up at the moon
shimmerng on the cold walls of the
buildings.
1T will be so much nicer when we
get out of this bare business Section"
she said presently.
Il hate it here-one can hardly
breathe. not but what I like the work."
he added But she did not hear him.
What would he say when he saw where
she lived? All the glow faded from her
face.
u really can't let you come any
farther" she began lamely; its only
little way and then she stopped, for
they were just crossing into one of those
beautiful old streets with stately stone
fronts that seem full of that mellow
grace of old Boston. She saw the false
suggestion in her words, but to her sur
prise he looked troubled and uncom-
Portable.
You seem Just to belong here" he
Mariyn thought Of running up to one of
these aristOCratiC doors and bidding
him goodnight. but she bushed hotly
at the thought of such sham.
She was so embarrassed and ashamed
that she did not see his relief when
they turned into a humber part of the
great city. Some of the old houses still
followed them. but these We're given
over to shops and boarding houses. with
the swift transition so characteristic of
the great city, they were coming into
dismal. crowded. rundown section. A
great lump rose in Marilyn's throat as
she looked furtively at the handsome
face beside her. For the moment she
could see the place where with such toll
she had made their home f.which she
was so proud. through his eyes, used to
big. handsome houses
When they turned into the dark mar
row street, at the end of which stood
the tiny, weather-beaten little box of n
house. she could stand the agony no
longer. She had made him think her
cultured. fastidous lady-what would he
think now?