Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-08-17
ROMPERs
BY AGNES G. BRoGAN.

gaZed like one bewitched. 1t was the
picture of chubby boy which caught
her eye, and the boy was wearing a
captivating suit of rompers. At least
that was the name the fashion book
gave to the illustrated article of ap-
parel. Fanchon smiled, delighted.
The boys yellow hair was just the
color of the pale pictured material !;
while the blue Of his appealing eyes
matched exactly the rompers' bind
ing. He was lovely boy. A softness
came to the young woman's beautiful
eyes as she studied the pattern.
Softness was foreign to Fanchon's
usual laughing style. She had laughed
her way through many difficulties and
had Knocked at barriers high. So
that now, in brave yet Indifferent
sort Of way, she had reached her
present success in the business world
Of the great strange city. For Fan
chon had come from across the wide
waters, and the home that sheltered
her childhood was on the far-away
hills of France. But that time, too
was far away and half forgotten.
This Mademoiselle Fanchon was a
charming creature, with pleasures
ever coming to seek her favor. A
dainty, lovely doll Of woman, in
whom as yet the most persistent ad-
mirer had failed to discover a heart.
Now Fanchon bent over the picture,
and all at once In rush of impulsive-
ness she was bending over her cutting
table, and pale soft material was In
her hands. She hummed gaily as she
sought out blue facings and laughed
a little happy laugh as she eagerly
started the stitching. A dimple popped
out In her olive-cream cheek at
thought of common rompers displayed
in the "Fanchon Shop" Then she
suddenly decided that the rompers
never would be displayed. They were
one Of her fancies-she could not tell
just why this fancy so deeply held
her, but the rompers would be laid
away in the square mahogany box I'M
til some little boy might be found,
perhaps, to suit them. For he must
have yellow curls. this boy, to receive
Fanchon's gift and eyes wide and
blue. She held the garment up when
it was finished and triumphed over it.
then whimsically folded it away.
Lucille called for her later to take
her to dinner. Fanchon's merry COM
partnership was cheering in her own
discouragements. But as the two
passed out through the street door
pathetic picture greeted them.
small boy very shabby as to knees
and elbows, and very dirty as to face
and hands, bent anxiously over a
PROSTATE yellow dog in the street be-
fore them.
"A car hit T1ge," he sobbed in an
swer to Fanchons quick questioning.
1.-THE dog Is not badly hurt" man
nearby assured her
The child looked up hopefully into
the young wOman's sympathetic face.
please" he begged, "carry Tige up
stairs for me-"
Laughingly Fanchon waved her
friend aside. "Good-by Lucille" she,
said. you know me; l will have to
do as Sonny says"
The elevator stopped at the ninth
floor Of the building. 1t was there
that the boy told her his father lived.
Fanchon in her silks and furs obedi-
emily followed into the room, the lame
dog in her arms. And as the two en-
tered the dsordered apartment, a
man with rulnpled hair as yellow as
the small boys own, and blue eyes as
frank and as young In their gaze,
looked up, confused at the invasion.
He was sewing. Fanchoh noticed.
clumsily sewing with a darning needle
upon some article Of childish apparel
But when the man arose at his young
sons abrupt Introduction, his man.
ner was approvedly courteous, and
his grateful smile most winning.
"How kind" ne thanked Fanchon,
ITO come to the relief Of my little boy
He Is sadly neglected these days. We
seem to have difficulty in holding our
housekeepers. Dickie Boys mother
died when he was born"
When the yellow dog was made
comfortable upon cushion the man
came back again to find the artist of
fine needlework shaking her head
sadly over his bungled mending.
you see." he alphabetically ex-
planned, "Dickie Boy pOkes his knees
and elbows through the things about
as fast as l can sew them up. Some
time we hope to be prosperous enough
to have on hand an unlimited supply
of clothing, but now" Dickie Boys
father sighed. "Mend 'em every night
when l come home" he said.
Fanchon's black eyes were dancing
"Wait moment she cried, and ran
out through the door.
When she returned to the two in
the high apartment she carried
small yellow garment In her hands,
and Dickie Boy, presently bathed and
clad, was even more alluring than the
child Of the illustration.
II will make him other things" she
g.