Manchester Democrat., 1919-01-22
FINE FEATHERS
BY HELEN c. WHITE.
1918, by the Mcclure NewspA.
per Syndicate,)

she could NOT forget tnaC nl1ny PINK
georgette waist that she had tried on
the other day. 1t had given her new
vision Of herself: before she had al
ways scoffed ut the other girls preoc-
cupation with clothes. but now she
knew.
Yet doubt If Marilyn would have
thought twice o. the waist had 1t not
been for the managers new secretary,
whose genial vigor and clever, hand
some face had interested Marilyn as
she never dreamed a young man could
interest her. Yet he had said little to
the shy, pretty little girl who did not
know how to carry on" with him as
did the other girls. Only she fancied
he spoke with an added respect when
ever he addressed her.
No wonder Marilyn smiled when a
laughing voice presently interrupted
her thoughts. miss Day, I'm going to
see you home, II may have the pleas
ure."
"Of course you may. I'll be ready in
just moment.
For a moment Marilyn forgot her re.
cent perplexity. Mr.. Everest was 60
ing to see her homel What would the
other girls say when they heard? And
she tucked the stray curls under her
plain little black hat. It would be ex-
travagunt, but she wanted to look pref
~ mora than evnr
She was too excited to see the i'd.
miration In Bob Everest's eyes when
he came over to her desk, and all he
said as they reached the door was II
guess the moon Is waiting for us"
ut is q beautiful night" she muir
INJURED as they gazed up at the moon
shimmering on the csld walls Of the
buildings. "
1T will be SO much nicer when We
get out Of tbs bare business section" ;"
she said presently.
II hate it here-one can hardly
breathe. not but what like the work"
he added. But she did not hear him.
What would he say when he saw where
she lived? All the glow faded from
her face.
II really can't let you come any far
ther," she began lamely; '1t's only
little way" and then she stopped, for
they We're just crossing into one Of
those beautiful old streets with stately
stone-fronts that seem full Of that mel
low grace Of old Boston. She saw the
false suggestion in her words, but to
her surprise he looked troubled and
uncomfortable.
"You seem just to belong here" he
answered wistfully. For moment
Marilyn thought of running up to one
Of these aristocratic doors and bidding
him goodnight, but she blushed hotly
at the thought of such sham.
She was SO embarrassed and asham-
ed that she did not see his relief when
they turned into humber part Of the
great city. Some Of the old houses
still followed them, but these were
given over to shops and boarding
houses. With the swift transition so
characteristic of the great city, they
were coming into dismal, crowded,
rundown section. A great lump rose
In Marilyn's throat as she looked fur
lively at the handsome face beside her.
For the moment she could see the place
where with such toll she had made
their home of which she was so proud,
through his eyes, used to big, hand
some houses.
When they turned into the dark, mar
row street, at the end Of which stood
the tiny, weather-beaten little box Of
house, she could stand the agony no
longer. She bad made him think her a
cultured, 'astidious lady-.what would
he think now?
"You've come far enough" her voice
shook, but she faced him bravely. "Be-
sides, don't think you'd ever want
to" She could not finish, but by the
sudden jump Of the arm in hers she
knew he at last understood. The night
air grew hot and sitting while she
waited.
do you really care? His voice was
shaking with joy. For moment he
stared in her bewildered face.
/"Marilyn, l thought you lived up
there, far out of the reach of a poor
chap like me. So didn't tell you I'm
really on my own way home just lit
tie farther on" The warmth in his
voice sent the blood hot through Ma
rilyn's cold veins. But all she could
say sounded for the moment stupidity
irrelevant.
''In two years my brother will be
through college,"
"1n two years my college debts wiz
all be paid" He paused. ''Will you
-Y
"Take house on B. street?" she
laughed happily.
When half an hour later MeriIyn
handed her pay envelope unbrOken to
her mother the latter looked at her in
Quiringly.
"But how about the waist, dear?"
For a moment Marilyn paused-she
had forgotten all about it.
Il don't believe l need it, mother,
dear. just thought l did"
Neiohbors the Sim