The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-09-23
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Fine Feathers and
Mr.. Meeks.
- BY MONA BROWN.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)


lars, containers Of various shapes,
sizes and colors, damboyantly decorat-
ed and fantastically named. Nature
had done quite well, for Gladys was a
great little believer in the helping
hand. Straight golden hair, for in
stance, may be coaxed TO sclntillate
like a ground swell In the September
sun-if one knows how. Eyes, just
tiny bit too small and not quite llue
enough, may be transformed to the de-
sired size and color by discrete use
of hiGhlights and shadows. The striv-
ing toward perfection is always an abb
sorbing pursuit. So the fluttertng,
ttmid knock sounded for the second
time on Gladys door before she be-
came aware Of it.
"Come I'M" In response to the in
.Fitation, a wren-like woman entered
and perched on the extreme edge Of a
large, gaily upholstered chair. 1t was
Miss Chaplin, the occupant Of the next
room. At guess, she was twice
Gladys age. In her neat, blue skirt
and white waist Of opaque material,
with its prim, high collar, she present.
ed the same contrast to the young giri
that a tight bunch OF marigolds might
to a gorgeous armful Of American
Beauties.
Excuse me IL go right on with my
toilet. Ny gentleman friend is COM
ing after me at eight sharp and we're
going out to the beach casino to
dance, else I'd be more hospitable, f"
Gladys disappeared into the press and
emerged with pair Of white pumps,
high Of heel and fashionably buckled.
go right on, my dear. That's what
came in for-to watch you dress,
mean-and to ask a favor Of you" Miss
Chaplin drew in her breath as one who
is gathering courage for a plunge.
will you show me how to fix myself
up like you do? / thought that per-
haps If / dressed differently m;
that is, people would ask me out more,
like they do you"
Miss Chapin's tone grew so wistful
at the end that something that had
wanted to laugh inside the girl chang
ed 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 chance to draw away.
"of course will. just dote on fix
ing 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 INF"
Il have 500 to spare" Miss Chap
FMS tone held the misgiving, mixed
with anticipation, Of child who is
about to invest his last penny in a
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 through the company's stock.
They were concerned with 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 auctuous
one Mr.. Meeks reserved for important
customers. Gladys glanced from the
understood, black coated man to Miss
Chaplin. Her sharp young eyes per-
ceived that the elder woman was flus-
tered; that her face and her hands
trembled while she stammered over
the introduction.
You're hep, Miss Mason. But goshi
How can she stand for that misplaced
undertaken" These words were spok-
en- to herself; to-the suave little floor
walker Gladys was so gracious that he
tore away reluctantly.
That evening and early tho next
morning Gladys accomplished the
Transformation Of Miss Chaplin. II the
colorfng Of sparrow could be chang
ed over night to that Of an oriole the
effect would not be more startling to
It's mates than was the appearance OF
the head bookpeeper Of Huston Broth
ers to Mr.. Meeks. The little floor
walker stopped at Miss Chapin's desk
70 talk until he felt the eyes of the
manager boring through his back. He
paused every t >" he passed by his
on his rounds !lc Inquired for Miss
Chapin's lady Trend, and before clos
ing time he had tentatively suggested
that they both accompany him to the
pictures some evening.
Miss Chapin's voice fluttered when
she passed along the invitation to
Gladys. Sure; I'll De glad to 60" was
the girls hearty answer 81 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 feeling
What II he was maneuvering where
by to see Gladys again?
But when the evening came Gladys
friend" was on hand, too, apparently
quite by accident Mr.. Meeks was de-
liberntely foiled in his attempt TO sit
next to Miss Mason. He took the hint
Q little glumly; he did not even men.
lion friends" the next time he invit-
Cd Miss Chaplin out In few week.
be was taking her out regularly.
Then It happened one day, when thc
occupant OF the next room knocked al
Gladys door to inquire anxiously II
her new satin skirt wasn't "a mite too
short" that the girl grabbed her