Gilpin observer., 1920-03-11
NO EXCHANGES
BY lzoLA FORESTER.
1920, BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,

to herself, before the bill went In to
Laurie. The lawn party was the l9th,
and she could take the gown back ana
| make the change the following week.
He would be away until the 2Sth, any
way, so there wasn't ghost OF
chance he would ever find 1t out.
Yet she hesitated and went back to
look at the temptation several times.
1t hung on model in the showrooms
upstairs at Allaire's, the sheerest,
daintiest handmade lingerie gown In
peach-blow tint with crush girdle OF
deep-toned velvet and underslip OF
satin.
She knew she could take her black
chiffon hat and make it look right,
and there would be saving, for she
had planned on hat too, besides
cheap little dress that would "get by
at the lawn party.
The idea of the exchange had come
like blessing. They had an account
at Allaire's, one she had never over
stepped or presumed on, it had been
SO precious in times of need. BY TAX
ing the peach blow gown she could
wear it for two days, just to the lawn
party and for tea on the Wainwright's
terrace Sunday afternoon. Then on
Monday she could go back to the store
and could exchange it for sensible
blue serge suit that Laurie would ap-
prove of, and this would tide her over
for early falIs6esides.
There were no alterations. She had
made sure of that and she ordered
the gown sent home over the tele-
phone bravely. 1t came just before
dinner. Hugging the long white box
she ran upstairs to try it on and was
just pluming herself before the mir
rOr when there came the sound of
wheels outside on the graveled drive.
She held her breath for fear it
might be Laurie, but instead there
came a full-toned genial voice TINT
sent the color back to her cheeks. 1t
was Laurie's Uncle Sandy, the sole
hope she possessed in the line of in
hertance.
Slipping out of the gown she put
on plain linen dress and hurried
to greet him.
"Never mind if he is away" Sandy
said when he heard of Laurie's alb
sence. I'm going to stay couple of
weeks with you. The air up here al
ways does me good, and l like your
cooking, Evelyn. Don't notice me a
bit. I'm going to get an axe and cut
some wood for you to tone myself up
a bit"
1t had been her very first social in
dulgence since their honeymoon, and
every minute at the lawn party
seemed happier than the last. She
knew people were looking at her and
asking about her who had never been
aware of her existence before, and
later on Mrs. Wainwright compliment
ed her as they sat over their coffee
after dinner.
you always seemed like such lit
tie brown wren," she laughed. "I
didn't know you cared for pretty
things"
Alice returned home Sunday night,
and Monday morning, while Uncle
Sandy was safely out of earshot, she
called up Allaire's, and asked them
kindly to call for the gown, as she
had decided to exchange 1t for suit.
mo exchanges on that, Mrs. Buell."
said the clerk. I'm sorry. 1t was a
special model"
She hung up the receiver in a daze
of CONSERVATION. No exchanges, and
she had S65 charge, with only lit
tie perishable lingerie gown to show
for 1t. Before she knew it she had
laid her head on the mahogony hall
stand and was sobbing miserably. 1t
had been so perfectly senseless and
reckless of her. just piece of child
ish vanity to appear in the gown when
she knew she couldn't afford 1t. And
she did need suit badly. So did
Laurie need n suit. and there was the
interest to meet and taxes. She heard
Uncle Sandy's cough before she knew
he was standing staring at her.
well, girl, did you get bad news?"
he asked cheerily. Mustn't take on
like that? Is 1t anything happened to
Lauric?"
Uncle Sandy" she said desperately,
1--WE done something terrible, and I'm
afraid Laurie won't forgive me-"
Brokenly she went on explaining while
the old Scotchman listened, his eyes
keen and humorous. "You see, It Is
the deceit that he will despise me for"
she cried. "And deserve It, too, for
beng so silly"
$50 you do" he agreed "But It was
a mighty neat-looking frock. thought
so myself when saw you walk out in
It, and was proud of you, and Laurie
would have been, too"
But we can't possibly afford II.
Uncle Sandy!"
mo, you can't, but you'll have to-"
he said firmly. "I'm not going to give
YOU II check either IN holm vou n,t