The Topeka state journal., 1919-09-24
EVENING STORY
Fine Feathers and Mr.. Meeks.
BY MONA BROWN.

Gladys Mason was creating a verita-
BILE work of art. The table before her
was strewn with the implements of
her handicraft; bottles. jars, contain
ers of various shapes, sizes and colors,
flamboyantly decorated and fantas-
tically named. Nature had done quite
well. for Gladys was great little be-
lever in the helping hand. Straight
golden hair, for instance, may be
coaxed to scintillate like a ground
swell in the September sun-if one
knows how. Eyes, just a tiny bit too
small and not quite blue enough, may
be transformed to the desired size and
color by a discreet use of highlights
and shadows. The striving toward
perfection is always an absorbing pur-
suit. So the fluttering, timid knock
sounded for the second time on
Gladyss door before she became
aware of it.
Come I'M" in response to the invita-
ton, a wren-like woman entered and
perched on the extreme edge of a
large, gaily upholstered chair. 1t was
Miss Cha pin. the occupant of the next
room. At a guess. she was twice
Gladys's age. In her neat, blue skirt
and white waist of opaque material,
with its prim. high collar. she pre-
sented the same contrast to the young
girl that tight bunch of marigOlds
might to a gorgeous armful of Ameri-
can Beauties.
Excuse me il I go right on with
my toilet. My gentleman friend is
coming after me at eight sharp and
we're going out to the beach casino to
dance. else I'd be more hospitabl
Gladys disappeared into the press and
emerged with a pair of white pumps,
high of heel and fashionably buckled.
go right on, my dear. That's what
I came in for-to watch you dress, !
meanx-and to ask a favor of you.
Miss Chaplin drew in her breath as one
who is gathering courage for plunge.
"Will you show me how to fix myself
up like you do? 1 thought that per-
haps If I dressed differently m;
that is. people would ask me out more.
like they do you
Miss Chapin's tone grew so wistfuI
at the end that something that had
changed suddenly to understanding
and sympathy. Hobbling like my
John" of nursery fame. she crossed
to Miss Chaplin and kissed that little
woman before she had a chance to
draw away.
"Of course I will. I just dote on
fixing people up, You oughta seen
my sister when she first come up from
the country Say. in a week you
wouldn't a known her. How much
you got to blow in ?''
"I have 500 to spare" Miss Cha
pins tone held the misgiving. mixed
with anticipation. of a child who is
about to invest his last penny in
prize package of popcorn.
All of which accounts for Miss Ma
sons appearance before the high desk
Of Huston Brothers dry goods store
just before closing time the following
afternoon. Miss Chaplin climbed down
from her stool. and the two went
a-foraging thru the company's stock.
They were concerned with a pile of
rainbow hued "georgettes" when Mr..
Meeks turned into the aisle. Mr..
Meeks was senior floor walker. in the
employ of the firm nearly as long as
Miss Chaplin; but never before had he
seen that estimable woman inspecting
stock of the georgette variety At a
glimpse of her companion he stopped
short; and the mistake he made was
natural.
"Ah. Helping your friend choose a
blouse?" The tone was an unctuous
one Mr.. Meeks reserved for impor-
tant customers. Gladys glanced from
the undersized, black-coated man to
Miss Chaplin. Her sharp young eyes
perceived that the elder woman was
flustered; that her face and her hands
trembled while she stammered over
the introduction.
You're hep, Miss Mason. But gosh,
How can she stand for that misplaced
en- to herself: to the suave little floor
walker Gladys was so gracious that he
tore away reluctantly.
That evening and early the next
morning Gladys accomplished the
transformation of Miss Chaplin. II the
colering of a sparrow could be
changed over night to that of an ori-
ole the effect would not be more start
ling to its mates than was the appear
ance of the head bookkeeper of Hus-
ton Brothers to Mr.. Meeks. The little
floorwalker stopped at Miss Chapin's
desk to talk until he felt the eye of the
manager boring thru his back. He
paused every time he passed by her
on his rounds. He inquired for Miss
Chapin's lady friend. and before clos
ing time he had tentatively suggested
that they both accompany him to the
pictures some evening.
Miss ChGpin's voice fluttered when
she passed along the invitation to
Gladys "Sure; I'll be glad to go
was the girls hearty answer. "I think
your gentleman friend is real nice"
The little bookkeeper blushed at the
insinuation that Mr.. Meeks was pay
ing attention" to her. but deep down
there came an awful sinking feehng
What if he was msneuvering whereby
to see Gladys again?
But when the evening came Gladys's
friend" was on hand. too, apparently
quite by accident Mr.. Meeks was de-
liberately foiled in his attempt to sit
next to Miss Mason. He took the hint
a little glumly; he did not even mem
ton friends" the next time he invited
Miss Chaplin out In a few weeks he
was taking her out regularly.
Then 1t happened one day. when
the occupant of the next room knock
ed a Gladys's door to inquire anxious
ly IL her new satin skirt wasn't "a
mite too short" that the girl grabbed
her, kissed her impulsively and ex-
Observation-Disclosures
9ThAGeoroe M