The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-11


begin on you
So they set about the process OF
Rosalies regeneration as eagerly as II
they had been children dressing a
doll. Resale had little money from
her grandmother's legacy, and she set
herself no limit on expenditures. If
only she could have the right things.
The proprietor of the new shop was
a Dung man who had once studied
art himself and still cherished a-fond-
ness for beautiful things, a painters
delight in the sheen of soft fabrics.
His stock was surprisingly well chosen,
Mrs Haines exclaimed in delight over
his silks and patterned muslins.
81 want to buy some gowns for
young girl" she announced. 81 must
have materials that are exactly right
for simple styles That lowered silk
would be the very thing. Cant you
see it corded and frilled with lace at
the throat? I'll have six yards of
I at. And let me see your cross
barred muslins.'
Rosalie kept silent while her cousin
bought. but the sheer delight of the
whole business lit a soft flush in her
cheeks and her eyes sparkled. After
all it was a young girl they were shop
ping for, the young girl she was go
ing to be. Already she could feel
herself in that silk gown, a rose in
her hair
The young shopkeeper glanced at
haps, why she was so silent and
seemed to have nothing to say about
the shopp:ng-more than little "ohs''
and "ahs" of delight. Mrs. Haines's
enthusiasm over his stock, her excel
/ lent choice, her plans for each charm
ing gown kindleds his quick interest.
| He, too, had a mental picture of
young girl in frilled gowns, a rose in
J her hair-no particular girl, just the
I ideal girl who wore such clothes.
/ I~1s L
Rosalie Warden" Mrs. Haines said
crisply when they had finished their
purchases, and the young merchant
wrote the name carefully.
I "Rosalie Varden!" OF course her
name would be Rosalie Warden, the
girl who was to wear those dresses.
| What name could suit her better {?
After his customers had gone the
shopkeeper pictured her again, brown
haired, starry-eyed, with an oval face
and a vry demure smile. He thought
he would like to paint such girl
| some time, if business ever paid well
enough so that he could go on with
his study of art
| During the next few days Rosalie
made frequent visits to the shop for
bits of lace and ribbon or rosy lengths
of silk. Interest in her new wardro be
proved so absorbing that it had alter
ed her usually staid manner a little,
and her sober face was now so smiling
that she looked younger than ever
The shopkeeper observed her with in
terest, wondering what relation she
bore to this Miss Warden who was
evidently buying trousseau. An older
sister, perhaps. She herself had the
sort of face which a Rosalie Warden
should have-oval, with a little point
ed chin.
Would Miss Warden be interested
in this Dresden ribbon? ?" he asked
one day when Rosalie was shopping
| looked cd nc
didn't know that she was Miss Warden
she in her little drab suit She dim
pied at the humor of it.
II think she would" she returned
And almost for the first time she not
ed what pleasant hammered young
man this was, good looking. too. She
hoped she would meet some men like
that in the city when Mrs Haines took
her there. She liked his chin
Resale had decided that she mus
leave Medwin to begin her new life
as she playfully called it. So she had
planned to spend the winter in New
York with Mrs. Haines. By doing this
her sudden change of character anG
costume would not cause comment II
Medwin. Altogether it was a very
good plan, and even Mrs. Warden ap-
proved.
So when at last the ''trousseau'' was
ready Rosalie packed it carefully in E
new wardrobe trunk and prepared Il
leave. 1t was strange, but suddenly
|, she had a homesick feeling; once the
trousseau was folded away. 1t had
been such fun getting it ready. she
had enjoyed the trips to the shop Sc
much-And very abruptly Rosalle &C
knowledged to herself that it was the
shopkeeper she would miss She hat
grown so accustomed to his friendl!
interest, he had been so courteous, anc
he was so handsome. What woulc
he think if he knew about her, sht
wondered? After all she had mo-
been strictly honest to let him thini
that she was buying things for her lit
tie sister. She had sudden desire tt
| let him know, to let him see her a.
Rosalie Warden.
, There was a lawn fete at the church
that night, and Rosalie felt sure tina
he would be there. So, much to me-
mothers surprise. she put on the fril
: Hest and prettiest of her muslin gowns
and thrust a pink rose in her hair
After all, she did look pretty Ever
Mrs. Warden said so.
You ought to have lived genera
, ton ago, when such clothes were more
! in STYLE Mrs. Warden sighed.
.I don't care about style if theyr
: becoming" laughed Rosalie. II n
afraid, however. that Merwin peopl
will think I'm losing my mind
Indeed, Merwin people, were rathe
|, surprised. One or two failed to recog
; nize her; she heard some one ask VIII
that lovely young girl over there
might be-
sWhv. it's Rosalie varden"' som
one answered, and the young man VIII
Y had been standing near by turned sud
denly to look at her. She was talk
:. ing to some one, and he did not know
D that she could near.
THE young lady who is going to b
1 married % he asked.
e "Mafriedi guess Rosalie ism
= going to be married. Not unless she
3 keeping mighty quiet about it-for a.
e old maid
e Resale moved away, her cheek
e flaming How foolish he must thin
r her. after all If he only knew!
a She stole off to a bench on tn
S rectory lawn, away from the Others