The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-02-19
When A Girl
 MarrieS
By ANN LESLIE.
CHAPTER CCVI.

Are you feeling strong and helpful this morntng?" I asked Virginia as we dropped in at Wickham's together the day after Evvy had paid me her
 unpleasant and unforgettable visit. Hike a tower of strength, so lean
 on me, grandmai, Virginia laughed. companying Virginia to the little ivory and green booth. where she was to
 have her fittings. .I want to spend some money and also to save some. So will you help me pick out Q new suit and help Jim make up his mind to move into our apartment, even though al 1the3 fittings aren't in it yet? No use paying the Walgrave a fortune every day when we have an apartment of our own." "Why don't you help Jim make up
 his mind ?'' asked Virginia, turning snappers of her blouse. 4 'I can't.'' I confessed, feeling re- lief in my fra,nkness. Jim calls me | thinks I don't know how to enjoy Iife.''
 'I think so. too,' commented vir- ginia dryly. Then she came over and put her hand on my shoulder in a gesture much like one of Jim's. "Anne don't try hard to save for a rainy day and let all the sunny ones get
 away from you. I'll take care of the it that Jim's wife looks more like the lilac girl he married, and less like a worried, shabby woman who's above thinking about clothes. Jim hardly knows whether Pm lilac girl or shrub bush these days I confessed.
 Virginia's eyes searched mine, and summoned d smile to meet her gaze. | I felt that her troubles were bigger l than mine and that I'd be a beast l to- let her see me whimperlng. It l was of Virginia I thought, not of Jim l as had done heretofore when talking | to her about him. After 8 moment l she replied in the matter-of-fact tone 1 I had hoped her good taste would die | tate.
 | "If you blossom out like the lilies 1 of the field, I'll back Jim to notice.
 Hes a regular man"
 "'Nuff said" I replied, ..sI avoiding 4' E fit my lace dinner gown, and as soon
 as you're through with your own fit l ting, will you come and help me pick out a Suit?"
 l Virginia acquiesced and went over 1 to my fitting appointment without I telling her that in the beginning I'd
 not had the slightest intention of get
 ting a Wickhan1 suit and paying a l Wickham price for it. l Half an hour later a procession of | mannikins was swinging by, while | Virginia and sat inspecting them and l their costumes as critically as the l judges look over entries at dog l show.
 "Td like to see my sister in that | blue suit, Emily Virginia said to the SaleSwoman.
 l So presently I was swinging about l like a mannikin, while Virginia in l spected my lines and the tailoring | 1y different to my untrained eye from | of little suit that didn't look vast 1 the ones for which had been accus- l toned to paying $35,
 Its just right" Virginia said, fin l ally. Mrs. Harrison must have a | smarter vest, though. Fine batiste in l stead of that ugly brocade. See to II, l please, Emily
 "Of course Mrs. Dalton,' the sales
 woman smiled, Eff you don't take my l models just as they come, I can't l give you such advantageous prices. As it stands the model is $160, but
 with a different waistcoat, I'll have l to charge you $175." l Wait till we're through ordering l and then make us the best price you
 can,' replied Virginia suavely. Nov l want my sister to see the black l that I ordered in sage green yesterday for Miss Harrison. And please have
 Clarice wear the blue poppy turban l with it
 1 "iBut, Virginia" I protested when l the sa1eswoman went to see to the l pau1ette, 'I can't possibly afford more than the suit. Anyway. would 1 Phoebe like it if I ordered the same l model she's having?'' l "Phoebe's is green embroidered in red; very different. So that's all right. l But is the little fmiser' speaking?" | asked Virginia, smiling so kindly that 1 Don't fear, Jim will call a halt if you go too far. His suits cost ninety
 apiece if they cost a cent, and I've seen him in four this past fortnight. 1 You asked me to steer the ship; re- l member that"
 Jim has to look prosperous, be ing around so much with men like
 Lane Cosby" protested with last 1 flare of conservatism
 And you'll have to look prosper
 ous to be around so much with women like Val Cosby"
 1 "A11 right" I said grimIy, What do I need to stand the contrast?'' ] The next thing I knew I was or dering the back paulette and a fine
 tan tricot dress with cape to match.
 Now a blue paraso1 for the pau lette," ordered Virginia. "'The poppy | turban's very good. I'd like my sis l ter to try a brown Spanish sailor for
 the tan costume and a black poke l With paradise for the dinner dress" | Paradise" whispered to Virginia.
 And four costumes at once! I've been brought up on a one-new-dress- a-year schedule But think I'm go- ing to like yours better. Lead me to it, Jeanie-''
 When we had tried and ordered all the things Virginia had suggested | Miss Emily fitted down over my head a little turban of henna colored Ba- | tavie, casting a critical eye over my | blue serge as she did so, and remark | ing: You really mustn't go without l this. It brings out the lights in your
 hair beautifully. and it dresses up the
 little frock you're wearing
 She's lovely in that. You're a genius, Emily. Now be a. dear and
 make a reasonable price, said Vir-
 ginia-
 Miss Emily took up pencil and pa per and did some impressive figur- ing. Then she looked up with the air of one conveying a great favor.
 l "On1y nine seventy-five," she said. 1 Gro Be Continued)
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