The Lamar register., 1921-01-19

| press them all the more with my
clothes after arrive"
The girls kissed each other good-by
! at the station. Paula's train pulled
out first. Claire saw how her sister
made brave attempt TO appear ex-
cited and joyful about her vacation.
but she knew that the trunkful of old
clothes put damper on her spirits.
Lulu Rodney met Claire at the vii
lage station in little roadster. Claire
felt fiattered that she had not sent the
chauffeur in a Limousine.
Lulu was enveloped In duster and
handed Claire II duplicate Of her own
The roads are simply awful; no
rain for 50 long" And AS they spun
merrily along the country lane she
ratified on affectionately:
You've no idea how glad ] am to
have you, Claire. l just hope you'll
stay all summer Bob wants some one
to go fishing with him. and really I'm
too busyl / knew you would be the
very girl for the Briars. Claire.
Mother always remarked what SEN
sible girls you Berlows were. and
thought OF that when Bob said: Can't
you Invite a real girl, Lu; somebody
that isn't afraid to wet her feet or
tear her dressr You know last year
I invited Sara Parson. and We were
SO disappointed"
'Disappointedr
YES" went on Lulu. slowing down
SO she could talk better. II guess she
aha 60
or Hot Springs. The clothes she
brought-why. she could not do thing
with such things at the Brlars. Bob
was 30 disguised and disappointed
Why. Sara wanted to dress for dinner
every night. but we have dinner at
noon. Well, told Bob this year.
Wait till you see Claire Berlow. I've
lived In the same town with her all
my life and I know what kind Of
clothes she'll bring along"
Claire swallowed hard. She had a
the rope that tied her trunk in back
Of the roadster and loose It
There's Bob" indicated Lulu. in
terrupting the others thoughts.
Claire couldn't see him. "wherer'
she asked In a helpless voice.
Right there in the field-the man
At the plow." explained Mrs. Rodney.
''Ohi" faintly, and then: Have you
. farm. Luiu7"
''Of course. thought you knew
that. And here we are !" turning in at
Q low rambling farmhouse.
Here, Sim," to a yokel wedding.
carry this trunk up to the front bed
room.
Come. dear" putting an affection
ate hand on Claire's arm. I'm show
you your room and you can change
your dress and then see the place"
Claire followed Joylessly; in her
mind she frsntically reviewed the con-
tents Of her trunk-there was not one
suitable thing. Oh. for one Of last
year's voiles, In agony she watched
Lulu unstrsp her trunk and then ask
for the key.
Claire fumbled In her bag. hoping
not to find IT,
You look pale. dear; don't you feel
wenf" asked Lulu anxiously.
I'm q little tired, l guess" sinking
uOWu Oh cnhlf anu NlsHluE Lulu
would leave her so she could think
and plan what to do. But her hostess
meant TO be very kind she took
the handbag from Claire's cold fingers
and found the key.
''Ill unpack for you. Just sit still ="
And she actually unlocked the trunk.
Claire sprang 10 her feet oh.
please. don't bother. I'll unpack later"
"rll get you cool drink. then" and
disappeared.
Claire slipped out OF her waist and
skirt. postponing the opening Of the
trunk. She went into the adjoining
bathroom to battle her face and hands
and think what to do. There was no
way out but to make a miserable fall
ure Of herself Just as poor Sara had
done the year before. Lulu would
know that she could not afford the
clothes. besides.
She re-entered the bedroom and
gasped as she saw her friend before
the open trunk actually lifting out the
trays. Claire clutched the bedpost and
looked away,
There's the ginger ale on the table.
dear. And then slip In this little dress
it's Just the thing for supper"
Claire slowly turned to her in as
tonishment. What she saw was Lulu