The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-09
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
NE EXCHANGES.
al lzoLA FORESTER.

tse-T-id EltE Wpu4u VS pleHSy VI
make the exchange, Evelyn rea.
soned to herself, before the bill
vent IA to Laurie. The lawn party
e vas the 18th, and she could take the
gown back and make the change the
following week. He would be away
until the 2Sth anyway, so there was
not ghost of chance he would find
itout. ~,
Yet she hesitated and went back
20 look at the temptation several tim
es. II hung on a model in the show
rooms upstairs at Allaire's, the sheer
est daintiest handmade lingerie gown
IN peach bow tint with crush girdle
Of deep toned velvet and underslip OF
satin. 80.
she knew she could take her black
chiffon hat and make it look right, and
there would be saving, for she had
planned on hat too, besides acheap
little dress that would get by at the
lawn party.
wrights invitation to spend tue week
end with them afterward, and she
knew she must dress right. II only
Laurie could be made to see things
the, way she did, that 1t really was
necessary for them to keep up the
pace If they lived in a town ike
Ridgeley Heights.
The idea Of the exchange had come
like a blessing. They had an account
at Allaire's, one she had never over
STEPPED or presumed on 1t had been so
precious in times of need, By taxing
the peach-blow gown, she could wear
Il for two days, Just to the lawn party
and for tea on the Wainwright's ter
race Sunday afternoon. Then on Mon
day she could go back to the store and
could exchange it for a sensible blue
serge suit that Laurie would approve
of, and this would tide her over for
early fall besides.
There were no alterations. She had
made sure of that, and she ordered the
gown sent home over the telephone
brayely. 1t came Just before dinner.
Hugging the long white box she ran
upstairs to try it on and was Just
pluming herself before the mirror
when there came the sound of wheels
outside on the graveled drive.
She held her breath for fear it might
be Laurie, but instead there came a
full toned genial voice that sent the
color back to her cheeks. It was Lau-
rie's Uncle Sandy, the sole hope ne
possessed III the line OF inheritance.
Slipping out Of the gown, she put on
a plain linen dress and hurried to
meet him.
"Neyer mind IL he is away" Sandy
said when he heard Of Laurie's abb
sence. 'I'm going to stay couple Of
weeks with you. The air up here al
ways does me good, and / like your
cooking. Don't notice me bit. I'm
going to get an axe and cut some wood
for you to tone myself up bit"
All during the evening Evelyn cogt-
tated how she was to smuggle herself
out Of sight in the peachblow gown.
Economy was Uncle Sardy's one prize
: virtue, and she knew that any display
Of extravaganza on her part would put
their chances in jeopardy. But he was
bent on taking a health cure. That
meant going to bed at and rising at
S. And he took the news Of her week
end engagement placidly.
run along and be neighborly, child"
he said. II can keep house by my
self"
It had been her very first social In
diligence since their honeymoon, and
every minute at the lawn party seemed
happier than the last, She knew peo-
pie were looking at her and asking
about her who had never been aware
Of her existence before, and later on
Mrs. Wainwright complimented her as
they sat over their coffee after dinner,
"You always seemed like such a
brown wren she laughed. II didn't
know you cared for pretty things"
Alice returned home Sunday night,
and Monday morning, while Uncle
Sandy was safely out Of earshot, she
called up Allaire's, and asked them
kindly to call for the gown, as she had
decided to exchange it for suit,
"No exchanges on that, Mrs. Buell.
said the clerk. I'm sorry. 1t was a
special model"
She hung up the receiver in a daze
OF CONSERVATION. No exchanges, and
she had a $65 charge, with only lit
tie perishable lingerie gown to show
for It. Before she knew 1t she had
laid her head. on the mahogany hal
stand and was sobbing miserably. 1t
had been so perfectly senseless and
reckless Of her, Just piece of childish
vanity to appear in the gown when
The knew she couldn't afford it. And
she did need the suit badly. So did
Laurie need a new suit, and there
was the interest to meet and taxes.
She heard Uncle sandy's. cough be-
ore she knew he was standing staring
1t her.
well, girl, did you get bad news%
DO asked cheerily Mustn't take on
!ts tsat2 Is 1t anything happened to
GauFI0?"
"uacls Sandy" she said desperate
II, "fHc done something terrible,
md I'm AFRAID Laurie won't forgive
ae," BFeKerly she went on explain
lag While the old scotchmRn listened,
bis eyes keen and humorous. "You
see " Is the deceit that he will de-
spise me foT," she cried. "And III
asssrye " 100, FOR being 50 silly"
80 yea DO" he agreed. "Bnt 1t was
mighty neat looking frock. / thought
q myself when ] saw you walk out in
y, and ! WAS proud Of ycu, and Ladrie