Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-05

and they told me he'd gone up
State. But | know you had an
apartment in the building, so l came
here knowing, of course. that you
and your husband would look out
for me. My maids upstairs unpack-
ing. Lane took our place furnished,
you know"
Il didn't know" l said. wonder
ing if this were a pretty spoiled
child. or sophisticated, selfish
woman.
We'll, now you know that I'm a
perfectly trustworthy person, do let
me have that gorgeous brocade in
my own hands. oh, it's so lovely!
What is it? A negligee? Do you
wear it often?'
I've never worn it, l said, CIV
ing it over to the hands held out to
clutch it.
AS she took the robe my eyes
focused upon her hands. They
were dead white and they moved
slowly and lingeringly. Not all
Valerie Cosby's beauty could ever
make me forget her hands-that 1
knew at once. l hope I'd never have
that their whiteness and the pink
ness of the shining nails that tipped
the long. full. slightly curved
fingers might appeal to some per-
sons.
Suddenly. without word of eX-
PLANTATION or apology. Valerie Cosby
slipped nonchalantly out of her
satins and chiffons, stood revealed
for moment in a tlimsy underSar-
ment of blue chiffon and lace and
rose buds, and then slid into the
clinging sheath of the blue and
green robe. Stretched stark against
her body. the peacock's eye pattern
revealed itself again mistily.
Where's mirror I must see"
she laughed. "Oh, yes; the bed
room, of course"
Without a by-your-leave, she
glided across my living-room and
disappeared beyond the doorway
the blue robe making her look like
a magnificent reincarnation of some
queen of old Egypt. Idly across my
mind fiuttered the recollection that
Tom Mason had said 1 would look
like a lady of Florence.
Then Mrs. Cosby came back, her
eyes a-glitter. her fruity lips pout-
ing more than ever. She lifted her
arms slowly and began unfastening
the robe.
Half-thoughts wrote themselves
on my mind and erased themselves
so others might take their place.
The dinner-dauCe Saturday night
this was just the costume. l had
expected to leave il behind in the
old apartment-Jim had brought it.
Mrs Cosby adored it-Jim had told
me to be decent for once in my life
about the ball-Cosby meant money
70 him. I'd always wanted to get
rid of the robe-Mrs. Cosby adored
il. Then the memory of Jim's
efforts to force friendship on me.
And distaste. At last panied and
hurt at Jim for bringing the robe
in spite of all he knew.
Mrs. Cosby was back in her chif-
fons now, and handing the lustrous
mass of blue and green to me again.
Il wish you'd keep it," l said
suddenly. "As a sort of welcome
to-our-city gift. It's so-just right
for you. I wish you'd keep it."
OH couldn't she began in
dolently. But her amber eyes danced.
and she said suddenly, You dear!
] really believe you want me to have
it. I'm going to like you.
Do YOU really want me to have this
beautiful thing"
II want you to have it."
What fun" cried Valerie Cosby.
People are giving me things. I
iont know why. Have you heaps
# pretty things that you part with
his so graciously?"
"It's-just something-I have no
Use for-no possible use," I replied
tumblingly. And it's so lovely on
YOU"
Then she studied me with sud
len keenness, like steel under vel
yet. 1 thought of the fancy dress
dance again. :. . Now she would
wear it.
(To Be Continued)