The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-02-04

an important loan. Bayard spent
Dad day downtown. The news of his
fathers distress was heavy blow But
he tried to dispense encouragement to
the three women who could not quite
realize what all the excitement was
about. or why the disaster of big
chain of wholesale stores would be of
any particular Importance to them.
Bayard was just saying: 81 tell you,
Leila honey, L was the wise boy when
L grabbed you, for now I've got you,
and l need you. Thank the Lord I'm
not loaded up with debt. I've kept
clear of that"
Leila said nothing, but Thought hard.
Bayard was silent. Later the dOor-bell
rang and young sewing girl brought
two big boxes from Dutilh's. They
were so big that there was no conceal
ing them. Leila made timid effort to
escape with hers. but Bayard was full
of cheerful curiosity:
whats all that, honey?"
"Oh, It's just "a little thing I
picked up today at Dutiih's."
What Is it, scarf or somethingf
Give a fellow u look at it."
He began to unite the knot. Sealed
across the cord was an envelope, with
statement. BayaId tore 1t free.
Leila snatched at it. Bayard laughed
and lodged her. Leila pursued. 1t
was CHASTITY game of tag for her, and
Daphne and her mother looked on i'm
guilty dread. Bayard, whooping with
laughter, dashed into his room and
closed the door. held 1t fast while Leila
pounded and pleaded with him.
His laughter was quenched sharply.
There was "a silence. He opened the
door and walked out, a sickly paIlor at
his lips, the statement in his hand:
This can't be right, honey: 'Bayard
Kip to Duilh, debtor. Peach-bIow
satin gown-two hundred and seventy
five dollars The price is ridiculous,
and have no account there"
"He-he insisted on my opening
one"
But 1 don't want to open any ac-
counts. / pay my bills in thirty days
or discount them for cash. / can't pay
this in thirty days. Every penny I
can see ahead of me is laid out"
lin sorry" Leila faltered. "You
said the times were getting better"
Il thought they were. l hoped they
were. But they've gone bad again. Be
sides. / was trying to cheer you up,
to give you a happy honeymoon. And
L bought you everything you saw
abroad. And it wasn't enough! When
will you get enough clothesl !"
Leila had stared incredulous at the
calamitous result of her tender i'm
pulse to beautify herself In his eyes.
linen tears came gushing and she ran
to her room and locked the door.
Bayard did not follow her. He
turned for comfort to his mother and
Daphne. He noted the other box.
Daphne had not dared to open il.
Bayard ripped the envelope from its
cord and read:
"Bayard Kip to Dutilh, Or. Parch-
mentioned gown, for Miss Daphne
Kip, two hundred and seventy-five dol
lars"
He was parchment-toned himself as
he shook the statement at Daphne,
and whispered, huskily. "What's this2"
Daphne could not muster any cour-
morse. 81 saw gown that II needed
there, and IL He offered to let 1t
on your account till l could get the
Bayard was choked with wrath and
a terror greater than hers.
II 20 TO my Office and work like a
fend all day, and | come home to find
that my wife and my sister have run
me into debt for-tive hundred and
fifty dollars. And the firm, the big
firm | work for had To extend II note
Tor seven hundred and fifty because
we couldn't meet it,"
His mother tried TO stem the tide of
BnNards rage, to turn his wrath with
II soft answer:
Il guess it's all my fault, honey The
dresses looked so pretty on the girls |
urged them to take them. You ought
10 see how beautiful they are. Go put
the dress on, Daphne, and let your
brother see how sweet you look I'm IT,"
Sweet! She looks sweet I'm IT! It's
beautiful And that justifies anything.
Lord, what did you make 'em out of,
these women -
Mrs. Kip nudged Daphne and whis-
pered, "Go on. put the dress on; let
him see you In It,"
She spoke with great cannlness. but
Daphne stared at her with derision,
and edged away and spoke In a tone
as biting as cold blue vitriol.
PUT 1t on. motherl Do you think
I'd ever wear the thing2 III send II