The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-05-24
A BARGAIN
THRILL.
By ALDEN CHAPMAN


ton and hope of Ora Merton ever
since she merged into early girlhood
She had never been further from Post
Vile than neighboring town. but had
lived on the promise Of old Aunt Clar-
india that some day she should come
to Cold Harbor and spend a month.
Aunt Clarinda had been a resident
| of Cold HarbOr before it's saubrious
and picturesque environment had be-
come popular. Her modest little home
was quite outside of the magic resi-
1 Dental and hotel quarter.
Ora had dreamed deIiciously aid
saved frugally. 1t was on her seven
teenth birthday that Aunt Clarinda
had written to Mrs. Merton: LET the
child come. | have made her a bath
Ing suit and she can put in the whole
month If you can spare her that long,"
There was full fortnight for Ora
to make her preparations. She had
| thtrty-two dollars and a ready made
dress waist and wrap. One day she
was seated on the porch sewing on
home made wrapper, when a queer,
keen-eyed little man came up to the
garden path carrying peddler's pack.
He placed this on step and an
. nOunced: "Some rare bargains, would
like to show the young lady,"
TITS not trinkets or cheap stuff,
lady" he explained. tits something
choice and cheap-oh. so cheap! II
ii"'' brother in trouble. He can
not pay his bills and If do not get
cash quickly he will be sold out. II
will show you what have to sacri-
fce."
Ora's eyes glowed as the man
slipped strap and spread out the
gorgeous, tempting contents of the
pack. 1t was an extraordinary dis
play. 1t was no notion counter lay
ont. but two perfect ladies' suits, hats,
gloves and scarfs.
TIN going to tell you the truth,
lady," spoke the peddler. 'These
goods are not new. although they were
never worn. Here is the truth about
them. They belonged to a leading
actress. Her company got on the
rocks and the law seized her belong
ings. bought them cheap. I'm GO
Ing to give you 2 bargain. Take your
pick of one layout for twenty-five dol
lars"
Ora was so excited at this offer that |
she could hardly speak. Trembling.
she looked over the articles in the |
pack, selected complete outfit, paid |
the man his price and every time at |
ter that when she thought Of the won-
derful Investment she had made she |
experienced thrill OF pride and |
pleasure.
Ora got to her aunt's, HAPPY, hope
f''' :fr' Two mornings later she ar. |
rayed herself In her best. The dress. |
OF ~ peculiar purplish tint the neat, |
but expensive looking hat. the light |
neecy shoulder scarf, her mirror told |
her. presented an elegance and tasti- |
ness which became her grandly. She |
was conscious that she was admired |
as she strolled down the beach. She
sat down upon an upturned boat and |
reveled in a reverie Of perfect con-
tentment and peace.
why, Mabel! got here all right, |
did your" and a shadow made Ora |
start. Then the speaker leaned over,
kissed her sQuarely upon the lips and |
then drew back. GREATNESS.
THE mischief! the dress deceived |
me dear young lady" continued the |
intruder. young, handsome, but pal |
pably embarrassed, but Ora sprung 10
her feet with flashing eyes.
"How dare you!" she cried, and |
hurried away, the tears filing her
eys from sheer vexation. The young |
man attempted to 0vertake her, plead
ing, expostulating incoherently. but
Ora fairly ran and gained her aunt's !
home overcome with the insolence Of
0 perfect stranger
= She did not venture to the beach for
two days after that Then she went
to the board walk. where she could
seek protection, if again affronted,
when man in semi-uniform ap-
preached her.
You will pardon me, MISS" he |
said, "but you will have to accompany
me to the police station. lady lust |
pointed you out as wearing some at.
| tire stolen from her trunk week ago |
The dress, particularly. which is pre-
cisely like the one she now wears
gives color to her claim"
Ora stood aghast. She felt as If she
would faint on the spot. Just then a
handsome lady about her own size
approached. "Officer." she said, 81
positively identify those articles as
| those stolen from me-" and was
| Joined by young man who looked
/ at Ora and spoke suddenly.
Sister, this is some great mistake
This is the young lady told you
about. whom l greeted as yourself
Look. she is terribly distressed. Off
Ger, allow us to speak with the young
lady apart" and he took the arm of
the wavering and overcome Ora and
led her to a bench.
1t did not take long for light to
shine on darkness. Ora told her
Simnlp truEhfuI story NT;ce INl~o