Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-01-14
THE GIRL WHO
pLitOST MISSED
CLOTHES MAKE THE WOMAN. !.
Chaptar VI
BY " AIRY douglass.


Twenty thought bitterly,
"and you look older " addressed the face
that reflected mine in the mirror The
bright light showed lines iinc rs a hair
that we're the first faint markings about
my eyes. MY strnight dark hair fell about
me softly and looked deep into the eye
Of the girl in the mirror.
"Tucnty-hve. and You can still be
jealous of a child OF eighteen Iou can
still long for the beauty Of Mary Dali
rymplei' My eyes looked scornfullv into
those other eyes and something hitter in
nv heart softcncd and melted and saw
the gllaten of tears in those blue eyes.
Other girls have lost their husbands,
reasoned to the face that searched mine.
But they at least have had them. i ou
can never take away what one has had.
1t Is life, experience, love that they have
felt You cannot take that away.
What have | done, or failed to do?
Surely if can bring Peggy through these
first years of her freedom, unharmed,
shall not be worthless. Even If | do miss
the thing | want most Again | saw
Jamie az | had seen him last, with his
brown, serious eyes that looked from hls
bro zed face so sternly There was moth
ing gay, careless. almost reckless about
him, as there is about Howard
But | must get ready 10 have dinner
with Howard tonight. ] opened the door
of my shabby wardrobe anu glanced over
the few tired looking dresses that hung
there. What was that? II was dazzling
blue and showed the sheen of rich satin,
and set il was simplicity itself. | took
it down from the hanger; had Tot seen
1t when | was packing Peggy's things.
She had nevar worn 1T.
] could wezr it, | knew. 1t was SO soft
and almost shapeess on its straight folds.
Well. / wouldl | flung il on the bed reck-
Iessly, and pulled out pair Of slippers
that had glittering buckles of cut steel
For once | would play Cinderella gone TO
the ball | shook out my sordid collection
of Jewels pair Of gold cuff buttons,
Il small seal ring, Mothers ring that
/ kept but did not wear-and, last,
the twlnkiing earrings that | had never
worn since the weekend at Southampton
| slipped on my only pair of silk stock
ings and put my feet into the stunning
slippers that Charlotte Newton mad
gwen me before she left
Very high, | piled my dark hair until
it looked almost like a wreath upon my
head and screwed the earrings into
place ! was almost transformed from a
dcmure blue-eyed girl into the bewitching
type of adventureSsl The dress fell about
me in gracious folds | studied my head
and shoulders first, in the small square
mirror and then the soft skirt and my
feet.
My heart beat in quick leaps and
the excited color redeemed my checks
touched tho lobe of each ear with q
drop Of Peggy's Persian perfume; then
Tor fear ] should be too frightened to go,
| ran to the door and snatched my coat,
md flung it about me
My high heels caught in the uneven
turf, and felt the air ruffle the hair about
my forehead 1t was still family / ght when
reached Towards, but | sa8 the lamps
lighted IN the long study.
In the hall | laid of my coat and |
yavc one glance at my eyes that were
leep sapphire in their IKE ement | |
vent softly over the rugs toward the |
Howard that | saw sunk In chair by |
he window. lie did not hear me coming |
When | was little way from him, | |
tOpped and for the first time said his
lame, 'tHowardr' unconsciously aloud |
He reused from his reverie- stared
Il me moment unbelievingly you
tartled me, " he calculated, Il thought you
we're a vision"
For a long minute stood there looking
/ him; then suddenly with a laugh |
ank into the low chair near his
George, Hazel" he almost whis-
'ered, you are a vision on are beautiful,
.eautiful, " he repeated as though | did
iot believe him.
so you had never discovered it
,cfore?" | Knocked him
'1'm serious, girl. he said earnest
Y, You should always dress so II
rings out your gorgeous eyes | al
fsys thought your face had charac-
er, but | never realized your wonder
vi possibilities. You're man S ideal
the kind of woman he has always
earched for-never found"
Don't, don't,?' | pleaded, the hot
bushes stealing over my cheeks, Its
ecause it's dark"
DARK nothing" he cried, this room
5 filled with light, and tell you | have
ever seen anyone that came nearer to
ny ideal of beautyi
Dinner is ready. Mr.. Howard, y Mr.