The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-18

shopping with you. How about a bite at the Walgrave first ?,'
 I'd love it. Betty. Oh, Betty, that's pe:-cct." I cried, almost dazzled by the first results of trying to please. I met Betty at the Walgrave, and after lunch we set off for a tour of the Avenue. But by the time we had come giftless from the dozenth shop, shrunk so it looked like pennies in stead of dollars. An amber-co1ored enamel box in one shop. a pair of Chi nese porcelain candlesticks in a sec ond, and finally an old silver bonbon- niere were bounced upon by Betty as "just the thing and discarded as each | turned out to be priced far beyond my allotment What shall we do?" I cried in de spair. You know just what would appeal to Virginia-and Jim's heart ! Is set on making that apItal. He wants to do this in royal ~<shion. I can't buy lace tidy or paper lamp shade but they begin to look about my -speed!"
 What a whimsical little thing you are, dear" Nughed Betty. The Ave nue isn't the place for us today-but | I've thought of the solution"
 What we'll do is trot to your land lords studio. Naturally he isn't as expensive as these big shops, and hell give you a special price, no doubt, | "No doubt" I echoed, blankly.
 How was I to tell Betty that I didn't like my landlord-that I
 shrank from the thought of going to the studio? I couldn't register any protest that sounded sane, so I had
 to let Istty trot me up to the Mason offices.
 Tom Mason announced that he had | just the gift we needed. He pro
 duced a wonderful pair of black cioi-
 some candlesticks, and then, with a meaning smile at me, he laid under them a bit of blue and green and leI, -s1 eS11
 It was like the blue robe that lay hid den in the carved chest.
 "Wonderfu1l Virginia will be de-
 lighted, and Jimmie's going to trust
 cried Betty. "The candlesticks are
 nice. I'll take them if they aren't too
 expensive" I said as steadily as l
 could manage. "But that bit of blue :; doesn't appeal to me- Tom Mason smiled almost deprecat-
 ingly.
 "Twenty-five dollars you said you
 wanted to spend, I think. Well, to sticks go for twenty-and add the blue brocade table cover for five more They really belong together" Do take them, Anne; they're just the thing for Virginia" cried Betty
 completely satisfied with her bargain | "So they're for Virginia Dalton Odd-Im expecting Pat in here pres ently. Stay on a bit and we'll take you lO tea, IOIIl suggested JOV1dlly. . I winced-but Betty seemed to fin6 s Tom rather amusing.
 Man, dear-but you have a morbid sense of humor!" said she. Now, |
 Mrs. Harrison is satisfied, I'm read! t to conclude our shopping. We vii = let you send the candIesticks and ta I pestry to Mrs. Dalton and just ru1 g along."
 So I paid for the gift, gave Ton t Mason our cards and Virginia's ad e dress and hurried out of the shop af
 ter Betty.
 e At the street door Betty stopped il = nervous indecision.
 I 'I wish we hadn't left Virginia
 address, Anne. Oh, well, it's don e now, so I won't worry But whateve L. possessed you to hesitate over tha o adorable bit of tapestry? You surel f don't know much about bargaining t child-or did you want to spend less
 I thought you said Jim insisted ol
 twenty-five-and it would have bee u silly not to get your moneys worth ), wouldn't it? Didn't you like tha
 glorious blue and silver?''
 Betty, you ought to be in the Dis
 trict Attorneys office," I laughed 3 evading a direct reply.
 e But I didn't feel like laughing, fo l. at the price he had made. thosef can W dlesticks almost seemed Tom Mason u present to Virginia rather than mine 3. t(To Be Continued.)