The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-13
The Woman
He Married
NAN CONFESSES ABOUT THE
DRESS.
BY JANE PHELPS

DRESS.
CHAPTER 40.
Dick had told me that his father
once had been quite wealthy man,
but his long invalidism and the shrink
age in value of his property, had left
him only just enough to live on. But
his sister was weaithy-that is, her
husband was. and thought it quixotic
in Dick to be so afraid to ask favor.
For a few days he was quiet and
rather moody: Several times ! thought
Of showing him the dress, telling that
FeIics had said might have all the
time l wnntedlin which to pay for it.
But his attitude deferred me.
] knew he<was thinking of what
had urged him to do; that he was con-
stantfy dwelling on the possibility OF
loss if he should consent. But 1 pre-
tended not to notice. His foolish pride
where his rich brother-in-law was con-
|cerned, his fear of putting himself un-
der obligation to Mr.. Stowell, made me
angry. The ease with which carried
my debt TO Mrs. Stowell. and now
10 the dressmaker, made his hesitation
seem all the more foolish.
1 was becoming nervous and irritaJ
ble / wanted to wear my new dress,
but couldn't for fear Dick might see
It. Several times tears came to my
eyes because of it. Clara gave a
bridge. There were some awfully nice
lpeople there, and my dress would have
been Just the thing to wear. But be-
cause 1 had not told Dick. I didn't
dare spring it on him for fear he would
be angry and refuse to go.
Finally, I decided to take the bull.
by tho horns, as father used to say,
and get the agony over. / intended to
have pretty clothes! Dick might as
we'll understand it. So before he Aeft
in the morning I said
1--WE must go to the theater sooh'
IN
"a new dress? When did you get
it?"
1.-THE other dayi If you have time.
will show it to You. spoke calmly
enough but my heart was pounding. Z
| ''Trot it OUT"
held the dress up for him to ex-
amino.
II can. tell anything about it, slip
it on" He looked at his watch. Il
have ten minutes, and you don't gel
a new dress every day"
] hurriedly put it on.
| "Whew! but it's a dandy. you look
| a peach in it, Nan. Is it one you fixed
over?. Doesn't look as if it is"
had tried to make over one of my old
dresses the week before and had
ruined it.
| mo, Dick, this is new"
How much did they stick you for
| it p he asked CareleSSly, yet L iloticeu
| he looked more closely at the garment,
Il bought it at Felice's, Mildredis
dressmaker. She said I could have
all the time wanted in which to pay
for it, Mildred introduced me-"
you mean you ran in debt for it?''
| "Of course!'n
! you haven't told me what it cost
| I recalled what Clara had advised
telling him it, cost $125, instead OF
S140. But 1 would as soon say one
price as the other. 1 looked at Dick s
face and said:
I "ft was reduced from $14O. I will
have to pay s75." Thus 1 salved my
conscience. l would have to pay SIS,
and more. 1 had not He'd to him.
| Nan, dear, we cannot afford to
patronize the people Mildred Stowell
does" He spoke very. slowly, almost
as if the words were dragged from
him. Long afterward. when I re-
ferred to-that day, he said he hadn'i
dared to let go--he was so hurt and
angry ut me.
1--WE could if you tried to make
money"
..No-not then. Not for years! ]
don't know where the money is com
! ing from to pay for it, but you look
very sweet in it, ard we'll manage
someway."
For the first time since had mar
ried him, he left me without a kiss.
| (Tomorrow-Dick's mother is COM
HK.I