The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-27
EVENING STORY
The Maid and Manikin.
BY BARBARA KERR.

49,
keyholes," giggled Bert Wainwright to
Louise Laurent, as they were vainiy
trying to get into their roomlng mouse
without waking the other inhabitants.
What can we do? Shall we ring
the bell?"
can stand on this stool. reach that
roof and walk right along to the
verandah."
And get shot! Well, give me your
hand"
And in a minute more of giggling
and clamoring they both stood on the
upper verandah, when just ahead OF
them a blind ran up and the window
opened. but evidently merely for air
as they heard a mans voice hummlng
softly, and the wind blowing aside the
curtain they beheld a man at work.
Both were rooted to the spot, for 1t
was most unusual work.
Mr.. Reginald Santerre was draping
a rnanikin with yellow gauze.
"Oh," breathed Louise. How ador-
able!
.'Sh-for the love of Mil1e!" whis-
pered Bert, as the draper backed
gracefully away from his work,
walked to the dresser and picked UP
a photograph. Me-" again whispered
Bert, when the draper leaned the
photograph up against the face of the
manikin and smilingly eyed it in men
tai perspective. She tried to keep
Louise from seeing. Was he coming
to the window? Hastily they turned
the corner and climbed hurriedly into
"Ohi OH OH" laughed Bert as
she rocked back and forth on the
floor. "Oh, wasn't that the funniest
thing? If you ever tell it. Louise
Laurent, I'll murder you! Oh! ON!
Tell it, OF course I won't. But
isn't 1t the sweetest thing you ever
saw"
'what?" demanded Bert. THAT
dress for me?"
"Bothl That's the dearest dress I
ever laid eyes on. L always knew Reg
are the luckiest thing 1 ever saw!
Think of him, working all his even
ings designing a dress for you. Aren't
you crazy to get into it
NO! What do I want with dress
like that? You know
"Oh, yes. 1 know you'd rather get
into corduroy hunting suit and
tramp al over the country. But you'll
have to quit that and settle down. The
wife of Reginald Santerre-"
Hush, ouida. Think of man
dressmakern
shame on you, Bert, Think of
Worth"
WORTHLESS, OF course. not just
that: but have l no ambition but to
/ be a dummy to-hang things on-a
| Christmas tree?"
Now, Bert wainwright, ever since
we were in school No. I've thought
sometimes that you were conceited.
You ought to be the proudest girl in
| the world"
! But Bert put her hands before her
| face, and a hard. dry gurgle escaped
! her. Don't talk to NEEDN'T. I'm
, going to bed"
| Are you crying, BERTHE? Are you
! sick" came softly out of the dark
! ness.
NO. was just telling Reggie good
| by. vas giving him to you"
| Louise bounded out of bed, turned
on the light and got the thermometer.
You are sick, Bert. You've got a
| fe, er. Open your mouth"
Fudge Take that thing away or
| I'll bite the end off, and you know
what happened to Willy
Twas chilly day for Willy
! When the mercury went down.
+! I'm not sick. You couldn't under
| stand in hundred years. Louise, but 1
couldn't any more marry Mr.. Santerre
| why was l such fool as to think I
cculd?"
You'll be all right in the morning"
| ~ OH listen to me-
| And then and there Bert unfoIdej
the scheme of presenting her lover 90
her hfe-lcng friend, arranging all the
| details of the remuneration. Louise
listened, at fist to humor her, but as
she went on planning in the darkness
she knew that she meant every word
of it. So when morning came she felt
little panicky, but Bert was as coo.
as tho they were swapping sweaters
and things happened just as she had
planned. 1t was Sunday, and they met
at the breakfast table. The girls re-
lated to Reggie how they had gotten
! a iuH h,lx,
wakened him, saying nothing of the
dress.
well, now, isn't that strange?
worked late last night" hesitatting E
moment. Il had an inspiration FOL
a gown for Miss wainwright"
, Adorable! Lucky Bert! Could we
see it 90
. "Ripping!" smiled Bert Sand hers
am all logged out for a hike. Is II
! as nice as this?" smoothing out her ole
brown corduroy
The faintest frown appeared nr
Reggie's brow. but the girls hastil,
arose from the table and all proceed
j t ed into his designing room, and th'
manikin was wheeled Into view. Mildly
interested. Bert wanted Ouida to try i
. on, so they took it into their room
, Returning soon. Ouida pirouetted be
fore the admiring designer.
She was more than beautiful. tn
. adventure lent an unusal glow L
, cheek and lip; her black curling hall
! was loosened up a little, and tiny ring
! lets framed her face and fell on he
/, white neck.
Superb. A dream!" murmured tn
. enthraIled Reggie, dropping on on
: knee to fix a place in the hem. Their
was a knock at the door and Mis-
Wainright was called out.
> What a wonderful talent. Mr.. San
: terre. It's an exquisite pleasure to b
YOUR manikin. I am really Graz
about beautiful clothes" said Ouida
as she admired herself and the gowl
in the mirror. And doesn't II max
: the biggest difference in one? Why
? I'm almost good looking" she OBJ
, served innocentfy
"You are beautiful, Miss Laurent
and so appreciative."
ooh, Bert is appreciative-indee'
she is, but she simply does not car