Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-05-20
Shopping for
Aunt Olivia
By FLORENCE MELLIsH

Great Caesar have lost that sam
pleT
Harry Beldon stood looking the way
of impatient shoppers while he
searched his available pockets.
II have, and Aunt Olivia has got to
have that silk this afternoon. It's her
only chance to be fitted by Nine. Cyr,
or words to that effect. What was that
stuff? 1t wasn't dope; 1t was some
thing. Are the plying angels looking
down on me now"
Apparently no angelic pity soothed
Harry's perturbed spirit. His dis
tracted gaze rested on young and
graceful figure at the hosiery counter.
Two rapid strides and the courage of
desperation brought Harry to her side.
II beg your pardon, madame" he be-
gan.
She turned with a surprised express
sion in her lovely eyes.
II 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 onf"
The surprise in her face deepened.
The fluffy blonde who presided over
the hosiery was listening with undls-
gulsed interest.
"You see," Harry tried to explain,
with more bushes and increased en-
barrassment, II was to get one like
1t for my aunt"
1t hardly seemed possible that that
apple blossom face would assume such
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 q "single
track" mind. He rushed to the silk
counter.
"Can you see that lady three coun-
tiers down-the pretty one? Quick,
please, before she goes awayp
The tall, severe, middle-aged girl
who was selling silks glanced in the
direction he indicated.
''My eyeslght is fairly good. Yes,
can see her." she answered stonily.
Good / want four yards Of silk
just like that gown she is wearing"
eve are out Of that shade this
morning."
"Oh" he gasped. "Are you sure2
You see, it's for my aunt She's maxi
ing over something, and have to get
it."
you don't have to get 1t here"
Here Harry saw a ray Of hope.
us there somewhere else? It's a very
important commission"
His distress was evident. The mid
dle-aged girl relaxed little from her
severity.
"They might have it at Ballard &
Bars"
"Oh, thank you. Thank you a hun
dred times" He turned back to whip
out notebook. "What color shall 1
ask for?"
"Taupe."
That's 1t. 1 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.
"Slk or satin?" asked the tired
looking salesglrl who was measuring
endless lengths in Ballard & Bars
(which is the more expenslve"
"Oh, satin"
"Then I'll take that"
Fatlgued with his efforts, Harry
rushed to the nearest lunch room and
dropped into vacant chair. CHANGING
at the demure face opposite, he recog-
nlzed a pair of blue eyes. His VISA
Wis was the wearer of the identical
taupe gown. Her gown was relieved
by few touches Of rose color and her
dark hair was crowned with a rose
colored creation that accumulated the
lovely color In her girlIsh cheeks.
"Ol" he gasped. II beg your pardon
that is to say-I hope I don't in
trude."
Certainly not" she answered Sc
renely. "This is a public table"
"Oh, yes, but thought was
afraid you might be offended by my
abruptness I'm Congreve & Cutters.
You see I 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"
'Tm afraid 1 didn't seem obllglng,
but I'm staying in Meridon with my
aunt"
"Just like me-" Harry interposed.
I'm staying there with Aunt Olivia"
"And when 1 come in to Boston for
little shopping Aunt Penelope always
warns me not to talk with strangers"
"That's Just right of her-I mean in
general. But is your aunt Miss Pene-
lope Winter"
"She certainly is"
"Then she wouldn't consider me a
stranger. 1 used, the minister's boys
and ], to steal melons out Of her gar
den. 1 am Harry Belden, and I am
employed by the Amaranth Insurance
company. You haven't any advantage
Of me, though. You are Miss Jessie
GaIbraith. saw your name In the
MerIdon Free Press. Here's the walt
er. Only tea and cakes for your I'm
famlshed with all this shopping. I'm
going TO have beefsteak with mush-
rooms. Mayn't 1 order for tWoT
She hesltated.