Middletown transcript., 1920-11-13
!. !. :S;lE,,o.ppiilz!,s J IL i! for
Aunt { Olivia ] ! q
By FLORENCE MELLIsH

| ~~sN>~e~>N&N~eNNe>>
t@. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Great Caesar have I lost that sam
ole?"
Harry Beldon stood looking the way
II impatient shoppers while ne
searched his available pockets.
Il have, and Aunt Olivia has got to
nave that silk this afternoon. It's her
only chance to be fitted by Nine. Cyr'
or words to that effect. What was that
stuff? It wasn't dope; it was some
hing. Are the plying angels looking
down on me n0w?"
Apparently no angelic pity soothed
aarry's perturbed spirit. His dis
racted gaze rested on a young ana
graceful figure at the hosiery counter.
Two rapid strides and the courage OF
desperation brought Harry to her slde'
II beg your pardon, madame" he be-
gan.
She turned with surprised express
sion In her lovely eyes.
Il don't like to trouble you.' he
went on with an embarrassed blush
but would you mind telling me the
color of that gown you have on?
The surprise in her face deepened.
The fluffy blonde who presided over
The hosiery was listening with undis-
gujsed interest.
"You see," Harry tried to explain,
with more bushes and increased en-
barrassment, Il was to get one like
It for my aunt"
1t hardly seemed possible that that
apple blossom face would assume such
a naughty expression or that those ex-
| quisite blue eyes could have that froz-
en- stare.
"Really' was all the beautiful lips
could utter, as the young lady turned
with intensified interest to the inspec-
ton of hosiery. The fluffy blonde was
laughing frankly. But Harry is like
the president. He has "single
track" mind. He rushed to the silk
| counter.
"Can you see that lady three coun-
ters down-the pretty one? Quick,
please, before she goes away"
The tall, severe, middle-aged girl
who was selling silks glanced in the
direction he indicated.
my eyesight is fairly good. Yes, |
can see her." she answered stonily.
"Good! I want four yards of silk
just like that gown she is wearing"
I'VE are out Of that shade this
morning."
"Oh!" he gasped. "Are you sure?
You see, it's for my aunt. She's max
ing over something. and 1 have to get
it."
"You don't have to get it here"
Herel Harry saw a ray Of hope.
"Is there somewhere else? It's very
important commission"
His distress was evident. The mid
dle-aged girl relaxed a little from her
severity.
"They might nave it at Ballard &
Barr's"
"Oh, thank you. Thank you hun
dred tines" He turned back to whip
out notebook. "What color shall l
ask for?"
"Taupe."
"That's it. l remember now" Harry
slapped his thigh in recognition. He
printed in large capitals that covered
a page of his notebook: T-O-P-E and
vanished.
| "Silk Or s;tln:" asked the tired
looking 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
| cushed. to the nearest lunch room and
lropped into vacant chair Glancins
at the demlre face opposite, he recog-
nized a pair Of blue eyes. His visa
Wis was the wearer of the identical
| taupe gown. Her gown was relieved
by n few touches of rose color and her
dark hair was crowned with a rose
.olored creation that accentuated the
| lovely color in her girlish checks.
"O." he gasped. 81 beg your pardon
that is to say-I hope l don't in
| trude"
"CertainIy not" she answered Sc
| renely. ''This is public table,
"Oh, yes. but l thought was
afraid you might be offended by my
abruptness in Congreve & Cutters
You see l was shopping for Aunt
Olivia. She isn't really exacting. you
know, only when she has got to have a
thing. she has got to have it."
II understand"
| "And had lost my sample. and that
gown you're wearing was my saliva
ton"
| 'I'm afraid I didn't seem Obliging.
out Pm staying in Meridon with my
aunt"
Just like me-" Harry interposed
I'm staying there with Aunt Olivia"
| "And when l come in to Boston for
A little shopping Aunt Penelope always
warns me not to talk with strangers"
'"That's just right Of her-I mean in