The Yale expositor., 1918-05-09
H RUFFLED DRESS
BY MILDRED WHITE.

happening 10 enter the pHySlCldu VI
flee where Celia was employed as sec
rotary. Al first 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, Celia - 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 Va~ndervourt responded
frankly:
THAT is unfair Of you, dear; you
yourself have been much TO blame for
the seeming neglect. After your ia
theirs 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 MIR. Klmball
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. 81 was left penniless, and was
Obliged TO seek work" A 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. A II we
should nave forgotten you, Celia! To
make restitution for your ungenerous
suspicious you must come out and
spend the weekend at The Cables |
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.
81 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 u 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 $1,000" organdie
gowns were displayed. Eagerly she
swung the rack about. Various pinks,
greens and blues were discarded, and
then the little rufled dress came into
view. OF softest gray it was, blue rib
bons quantity woven among its frills.
Celia sighed In admiration.
"Just the thing!" she confded to
the saleswoman. Have you my size?"
Thoughtfully she considered. II will
nave the dress charged" said Celia.
1.-THE frock will be charged to your
account, madame" she announced.
Celia smiled 1t her own reflection
when arrayed for the weekend 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.
Persistently 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 rufled dress that night as
she folded 1t away. Then, after n dull
lonely month, when Frank Kimball's
repeated telephone calls were discour
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. A ter
rible mistake had been made in the
I price of the quaint organdie dress ant
she was charged for fifty dollars
YEARLY she went to the sales
: woman.
!, $50 sorry you misunderstood" sale
!. that person. "Some one must have
: slipped the dress on the wrong rack
Mr.. Woods !" she called sympathetical
> ly, and before Celia realized she wa;
being escorted by that gentleman t
the managers Office.
, "It 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 Franb
! Klmball stood staring down upon her
! "You. Celia I" he exclaimed. Great
Scottl Woods has been telling me OF
your-your-"
? 1T is nothing" she answered firmly
. and arose to 60.
II beg your pardon" Frank insisted
1.-THE mistake is entirely our own. The