Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-07-18
THE RUFFLED DRESS
BY MILDRED WHITE.
tcspyrlsa.. lsls. western Newspaper Union

woman glanced carelessly at the little
figure seated before the mahogany
desk. then her glance changed to one
of pleased recognition.
why. Celia p she exclaimed. "Who
would have expected to find you
here"
The Doctors young secretary re-
turned the greeting coldly.
my friends of Il more prosperous
time have long ceased to expect any
thing Of me-" she replied.
But Miss yanderyourt responded
frankly:
THAT is unfair of you, dear; you
yourself have been much TO blame for
the seeming neglect. After your fla
theirs death you disappeared complete
ly. Even the adoring Frank Kimball
was unable to obtain a clue to your
whereabouts"
Cela's face famed.
There was no reason" she an
swered slowly, why Mr.. kimball
should have tried to locate me. Our
conditions had changed" Steadily her
clear, blue eyes looked into those of
her former friend. Fathers invest
ments had been unfortunate" said
Celia. Il was left penniless, and was
obliged to seek work" tremulous
smile curled her lip. You know, Jo-
sephine, working girls were not in
cluded in our circle"
what nonsense !" Miss Wander
vourt promptly responded. "As II we
should have forgotten you, Celia To
make restitution for your ungenerous
suspicious you must come out and
spend the weekend at The Gables. l
positively will take no refusal. Just
the old chosen few win be there, and
we shall all be so glad to have YOU"
Josephlne's hand warmly clasped
hers, while quick tears filled the sec
retary's eyes.
Il will come" she lmpulsively
agreed. And when she adjusted her
hat later, before the mirror her cheeks
were glowing with a new and delicious
excitement. There was still more than
an hour before the shops would close
for the night, and she would have time
to select new frock.
SILK was out of the question; crepe
also, Celia hopefully made her way
across the department store show
room to swinging rack where, be-
meath n sign printed $500" organdie
gowns were displayed. Eagerly she
swung the rack about. Various pinks
greens and blues were discarded, and
then the little ruffied dress came into
view. OF softest gray 1t was, blue rib
bons quantity woven among its frills.
Celia sighed in admiration.
Just the thing" she confded to
the saleswoman. Have you my size2"
Thoughtfully she considered. ~ Will
have the dress charged" said Celia.
'"The frock will be charged to your
account, madame" she announced
Celia smiled at her own reflection
when arrayed for the weekend party,
the effect was so visibly charming.
Frank klmball was evidently not
slow in recognizing this fact; neither
had absence nor the determined aloof-
ness of his one-time sweetheart
changed his affection.
Perslstently he ignored her forbid
ding manner and plead his own
cause.
What sort of man did you take
me for he accused.
Its no use, Frank" she said decid-
eddy. 81 have thought the thing out.
II you had really tried TO find me at
first"
Tried" exclaimed the young man,
exasperated.
But Celia rode back alone in Jo-
sephines carriage to the boarding
house she called home, ana there were
tears on the ruffied dress that night as
she folded II away. Then, after n dull,
lonely month when Frank Kimball's
repeated telephone calls were discOur-
aged, came an astounding bin from
the great store that was his fathers.
Celia gasped Mt il in dismay, but in
stinctively realized It's import. A ter
rible mistake had been made in the
price OF the quaint organdie dress and
she was charged for fifty dollars.
YEARLY she went to the sales
woman
so sorry you misunderstood" said
that person, Some one must have
slipped the dress on the wrong rack.
Mr.. Woods r she called Sympathetical.
~, and before Celia realized she was
being escorted hy that gentleman to
the managers office.
1T really is not remedial" Celia ex.
planned The dress has been worn
But the courteous Mr. Woods placed
a chair for her IN the managers office.
When Celia looked up again Frank
kimhal stood staring down upon her.
You, Celia !" he exclaimed. Great
Scott Woods has been telling me Of
your-your--"
ut is nothing, she answered firmly,
and arose to go,
i beg your pardon, Frank insisted.
The mistake Is entirely our own. The
frock should have been upon its own
hanger You win be charged fifteen
d6TiaYs."
4 shall pay Celia started out
orayeiy- then her voice faltered-