The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-06-01
Chapter 81
MORE EXCITEMENT.


When Ruth said Come in" very
efficient looking young woman stepped
into the room. She had brown eyes
and hair and was dressed in a rather
smart, plain little suit.
Il am Miss Vance, the official guide
and shopper for guests at the hotel"
she said, coming over to the couch
where the girl sat.
Ruth asked her to sit down. She
looked at her curiosly-she was such
a businesslike little person. She was
exactly the sort Ruth had always
wanted to be herself, had she the
chance of coming to the city and
studying for a business career. She
had alert ways, intelligent eyes, and
crisp voice and manner.
You wanted some shopping done
and you aren't familiar with our
shops?"
But l want to go myself" Ruth OBJ,
jected.
1t can be managed either way. If
you haven't time I'll do it for you
the hotel employs me for just that
purpose. But it's always better to
make your own selections. Now, shall
we make list of what you want?"
Il want everything" Ruth said sud-
denly. Then laughed, for her answer
sounded so odd
Miss Vance smiled too, a quick
smile. She never took time to smile
long, she was always moving about
doing something
They made list, and Ruth told her
about what she thought she could
spend. IN advise one very smart
dress from some of the exclusive
places, then you'll be ready for any
event." Miss Vance said when Ruth
told her of a dinner she had to at
tend the following week.
And the price,
We'll. about 200 Yes" as Ruth
looked up quickly, you see. it's the
beginning of the season and things are
high. Well economic in other ways
The girl remembered Langley's note
on the margin Of her typewriter in
structions about not saving money on
this trip. Suddenly she appealed to
the professional shopper. told her the
whole story, and asked her advice.
Miss Vance seemed to understand
perfectly-as was her business.
And presently, in the car the hotel
took for Ruth by the week, they were
spinning up Fifth Avenue together.
Lingerie came frst-Ruth then and
there lost her sense of direction. After
all, she had several thousand dollars,
her expenses paid, why should she
not buy these things? So she began
choosing things rapidly, only taking
Miss Vance's advice when that lady
pointed out that real lace wore better
than imitation, and that heavy crepe
de chine Numbered more easily than
sleaZy stuff.
Ruth remembered she was wearing
only plain things of a half bleached
muslin which her mother had made.
So she put off choosing dresses, and
bought herself silk stockings and
shoes and slippers, loading up her
waiting car.
So an exciting morning passed. At
o'clock they went to the hotel. Ruth,
her cheeks burning and her eyes
bright from the sheer feminine pleas
ure of a wealth of pretty things,
bathed and changed to some of the
lovely things gotten that morning. She
even slipped on new shiny pumps and
silk hose, and after eating alone, she
met Miss Vance and they went off
again.
One evening gown for this dinner.
You can wear it any number of times,
the shopper said.
They went into place where heavy
gray velvet curtains deadened the
noise of the street, where Futurist de-
signs were used to please the eyes
of customrs bored with the convention
al enamel panclling Ruth did not
know what she wanted.
She remembered the name Of Myras
cousin Emily.
Does Miss Emily Planter buy
here? want something she would
choose
oh yes, she buys here a lot She's
married now, though a woman at
tendant said. But you are too young
for her type You should have some
thing youthful, simple-a debuntante
frock."
Ruth gave herself up then. She lei
them sell her soft silk evening frock
with puffy skirt and garlands of silk
roses. and net dress that beloved in
the most delightful way. She asked
for simple street dress, and was SOLD
a blue serge with an odd trimming OIL