The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-06-21
the RUFFLED DRESS
BY MILDRED WHITE.

1t all began by Miss vandervourt
happening to enter the physicians Of
fee where Celia was employed as sec
rotary. At 1rst the society young
woman glanced carelessly at the little
figure seated before the mahogany
desk. then her glance changed to one
Of pleased recognition.
"Why, Cellar she exclaimed, "Who
would have expected to find you
here?
The doctors young secretary re-
turned the greeting coldly.
my friends of a more prosperous
time have long ceased to expect any
thing of me-" she replied.
But Miss vandervourt responded
frankly:
THAT is unfair Of you. dear; you
yourself have been much to blame for
the seeming neglect. After your ia
TIERS death you disappeared complete
| ly. Even the adoring Frank Kimball
was unable to obtain a clue to your
whereabouts"
Celia's face famed.
There was no reason" she an
swered slowly. why Mr. Kimbali
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. II was left penniless, and was
obliged to seek work." A tremulOus
smile curled her lip. you know, Jo-
sephlne, working girls were not In
cluded In our circle"
"What nonsensel Miss Wander
vourt promptly responded. "As five
should have forgotten you, Celia! To
make restitution for your ungenerous
suspicious you must come out and
spend the weekend at The Cables l
positively will take no refusal. Just
the old chosen few will be there, and
we shall all be so glad to have you"
Josephine's hand warmly clasped
hers, while quick tears filed the Sec
retary's eyes.
Il will come" she impulsively
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 a new frOck.
Silk was out Of the question; crepe
also. Celia hopefully made her way
across the department store show
room to a swinging rack where, be-
meath a sign printed $780," organdie
gowns were displayed. Eagerly she
swung the rack about Various pinks
green's and blues were discarded, and
then the little ruffled dress came into
view. OF softest gray 1t was, blue rib
bons quantity woven among it's frills
Celia sighed in admiration.
Just the thing" she confided tc
the saleswoman. Have you my size?'
Thoughtfully she considered. II 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 week lend party,
the effect was so visibly charming.
Frank Kimball was evidently not
slow in recognizing this fact neither
had absence nor the determined aloof-
ness Of his one-time sweetheart
changed his affection.
Persstently he ignored her forbid
ding manner and plead his own
cause.
What sort of a man did you take
me for" he accused.
IT'S no use, Frank" she said decid
eddy. 81 have thought the thing out
If you had really tried to find me al
first"
"Tried" exclaimed the young man
exasperated.
But Celia rode back alone in 10
sephine's carriage to the boarding
house she called home, and there were
tears on the ruffied dress that night as
she folded it away. Then. after a dull
lonely month, when Frank Kimball's
repeated telephone calls were dscour
aged, came an astounding bill from
the great. store that was his fathers
Celia gasped at 1t In dismay, but In
stinctively realized its import. ter
rible mistake had been made In the
price Of the quaint organdie dress ant
she was charged for fifty dollars
YEARLY she went to the sales
woman.
80 sorry you misunderstood" said
that person. "Some one must have
slipped the dress on the wrong rack
Mr.. Woods !" she called sympathetical
ly, and before Celia realized she was
being escorted by that gentleman te
the managers Office.
1T really is not remedial" Celia ex
planned. 1.-THE dress has been worm
But the courteous Mr.. Woods placed
a chair for her in the managers Office
When Celia looked up again Frank
kimball stood staring down upon her
You, Celia !" he exclaimed "Great
Scottl Woods has been telling me OF
your-your-"
ut is nothing" she answered firmly