Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-13
THE DAILY
NOVELETTE,
Sbopping for Aunt OliUe
n. FLORENCE MELLIsH

ncrest Caesar! have I lost that
sample, sa1,pprry peldon stood blocking the way
:, n1npatient shoppers while he searcned
Sis available pockets. ,,. -. uo, ,o
80, that silk this afternoon: It's her
nave uhnnce 10 be fitted by Nine. Cyr,
only IA that effect. What was that
or or,w9 S9' II wasn't dope; 1t was some-
ssine Are the plying angels looking
down on me now!
An,arently no angelic pity soothed
,,arry's perturbed spirit. His distracted
nsze rested on a young and graceful
saSe snss az The hosiery counter. Two rapid
n,,des and the courage OF desperation
Sroueht Harry to her side:
pi9Ib ~ beg your pardon, madame he be-
sassb Che turned with a surprised expression
IN her lovely eyes.
m with an embarrassed blush. but
would We you mind telling me the color OF
'"@y @yo,, see" Harry tried to explain, with
r,ore bushes and increased embarrass-
rnent. Il was to get one ike II Tor my
Really" was all the beautiful lips
.ould utter as the young lady turned
v,I,h intensified interest to the inspec-
ZION Of hosiery. The fluffy blonde was
i.mehing frankly But HarryNis like the
President. He has a single track
"Can YOU see that lady three counters
down-the pretty one? Quick. please,
before she goes away
my eyesight is fairly good. Yes, I
n,n see her." she answered stonily
Good I want four yards of silk just
Nk. that gown she Is wearing"
I'VE are out Of that shade this morn
ing" -, , u,os ga. 90, u,uo,
yo,i see, it's for my aunt. She's making
over something, and / have to get 1t"
You don't have to get 1t here"
Here Harry saw ray OF hope.
"Is there somewhere else? It's a very
important commission"
His distress was evident. The middle
aged girl relaxed a little from her
severity.
Barr's"
dred times" He turned back to whip
out notebook. What color shall I
ask for?'
"Taupe"
That's IT, I remember now" Harry
slapped his thigh Yin recognition. He
printed in large capitals that covered a
page of his notebook: T-o-P-E and van
ished.
SILK or satin?" asked the tired look
inE salesgirl who was measuring endless
lengths in Ballard & Barr's.
which is the more expensive?'
"Oh. satin"
Then I'll take that"
Fatigued with his efforts, Harry
rushed to the nearest lunch room and
dropped into vacant chair. Glancing
at the demure face opposite, he recog-
nlzed a pair Of blue eyes. His vis-a-vis
was the wearer of the identical taupe
gown
"oh !" he gasped. Il beg your pardon
that Is to say-I hope l don't in
trude"
Certainly not" she answered serene
y This Is a public table"
"Oh, yes. but l thought was afraid
you might be offended by my abruptness
In Congreave & Cutters. You see was
shopping for Aunt Olivia. She isn't
really exacting, you know. only when
got to have it,
Il understand"
And had lost my sample, and that
gown you're wearing was my saliva
tion."
I'm afraid / didn't seem obligng, but
I'm staying in Meriden with my aunt"
Just like me-" Harry interposed.
I'm staying there with Aunt Olivia"
:. And when l come into Boston for a
little shopping Aunt Penelope always
warns me not to talk with strangers"
That's just right of her-I mean In
general. But is your aunt Miss Pene-
lope Winter?'
she certainly is"
Then she wouldn't consider me a
stranger. | used, the minister's boys
and !, to steal melons out of her gar
den | am Harry Belden, and I am en-
ployed by the Amaranth Insurance Co.
You haven't any advantage of me.
though. You are Miss Jessie Galbraith
saw your name In the Meriden Free
Press. Here's the walter. Only tea ana
cakes for you? I'm famished with all
tnls shopping. I'm going to have beer
steak with mushrooms. Maynt I order
for two?"
She hesitated.
~ Il know Miss Penelope couldn't object.
I'm such an old friend"
Miss Jessie laughed brightly. "Per-
maps II you ate her melons. II would
De a return Of hospitality"
Presently Harry glanced from his
him
Aunt Olivia is going to wear that at
.he Wylie Wallace wedding. You know
about that?"
W. Il should think so. I'm one of Anita
WylIe's bridesmaids"
That's great. I'm to be head usher
rather nice we should meet before the
rehearsal, just In an informal way"
II was rather informal,"s "sMiss Gal
i, nfaith admitted. Her eyes rested on n
that silk isn't taupe it's wistaria."
Wistaria? What's that?"
It's the color OF that goods you've