South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-16

ertheiess necessary in the settling
Of matters OF such paramount i'm
pOrtance as, for instance, the choice
Of the prettiest girl among the girls
who comprised the sales-force OF
Griffirs' Emporium. Paris. in this
case. was Harrison Johnston, gen
eral manager Of Grifnns': the recip-
lent of the golden apple. in other
words the beauty OF his selection.
was 20 lead with him the grand
march OF the annual Mutual Ben
eft ball. This coming event, iR its
I eNclusiveness. IN its lavishness of
iazz band and buffet supper fur
nished one of the valid reasons for
the common accusation. that Grit
/ fins bunch was "clicky." IL was
true. as Griffin stock scorned the
comprehensive inclusion or the
| cheaper grade department stores.
so Gtiffins force scOrned any but
the triggest Of sales girls, the most
dapper of flooT-walkers and buy
ers. With the exception Of Nary
| fleming.
She was the fly in the amber, a
recent addition at the hosiery"
who had drifted I'm as "A relative of
| Ellen Brernans, assistant buyer,
whose mother kept a boarding
/ house. Mrs. Brennan had accord
cd Mary. recently orphaned in an
upstate hamlet, a coolish welcome,
which warmed TO tepidity only AZ
/ the appearance of her weekly pay
| envelope. Her daughter, whether
Jealous of Mary's somewhat "coun-
/ trified" prettiness. OF apologize OF
| her lack OF urban savoir faire, &C
corded her no welcome whatsoever.
/ she was too engrossed with the Mu-
/ tual Benefit dance, and in trying TO
keep both her costumes ard her
| complexion up 10 the nish stand
/ ards Of Griffins.'
You could be sure that the group
of sales-girls talking together In
slack moments were discussing the
probable winner of the beauty con
test
IN bet a lemon freeze on Rose
/ Kalman, Ellen Brennan was say
| ing. as she patted a blond lock IT.
place, in view of the approach of
Arty stone. floorwalker, Respondent
in the glory of a cut-away.
And that's where YOU get oil,
| grille" proffered the elegant Ar
thur. whose familiarity was based
on a five-year record as star
boarder" at Brennans You're
it, flatterins her. Il saw the old
man lamp YOU for fair when he
came IN TO-DAY"
So it went on. Mary Heming,
with a defiant toss of her head,
tried 20 quell the involuntary thrill
which the presence of Arthur al
ways brought, and the sense, Of hurt.
which came with the persistent eN-
clusion of her humble opinion from
this most absorbing of topics.
Forced at last to sclf-analysis
she tried TO view herself lmperson-
n ally as she walked home alone after
work that night. Mary mad been 50
busy enjoying the vivid newLess OF
city life that she had neglected that
essential which stamps the city
dweller-dress. There was nothing
chic about her cotton blouse, dyed
black to meet the requirements OF
the store. and her eored skirt which
had been the subject of half-heard
ibes from her fellow sales girls
The reflection which she caught OF
herself in shop window brouSh
sudden flush of shame. In tho
eyes of Grilfins' she was not "uI
10 SNUFF" Like flood, a quicH
passion surged about her. She must
nave clothes.
simultaneously an arrestins sigr
caught her gaze. IL read White
elephane sale" Frankly curious
Mary's eyes followed the sign 30 4
headless form in the window. on
which was draped a gown, fallinl
bout the figure in soft folds -oI
midnight blue velvet and softei
folds of georgette crepe. At Grit
fms il would have been known a.
dinner gown. on the gown Wa!
PINNED the startling label, five dol
lars. Mary calculated quickly II
her pocket were nine dollars
weekly wage. out of this woul'
come seven Gollals' weekly board
In that moment she acquired an
other stamp of the city dweller-
| reclIlessness. Cash in hand wa
more than future bread. and will
no thought ahead, Mary had pur
chased the amazing gown, handel
to ner condescendingly by a yer.
grand lady. wearing a badge whici
said something about woman sur
frage.
She had no idea of ever wearing
il. as she received no invitations .
cabarets. common occurrences 4
i Ellen Brennan, for instance. An'
she had not been asked to the Mu
tual Benefit dance. During sup
Der. she scarcely heard the cleYe
raiHery Of Arty stone and Ellen
but escaped quickly TO her room
to caress the cllnging folds Of he
new possession the next step wa
3 10 try it on, and dance down TO tn
4 second floor landing. when she wa
quite sure that everyone had gon
i out to evening engagements
3 Pirouetting before tie pier glas.
4 with a critical eye. she was too ab
i sorbed To notice the approach o
4 Arty stone.
Hello. Cindy," II was the frs
!. time he had ever addressed her di
.,.l,- ssNK-hora's the ball2"