The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-27
Chapters From a
Womdn;s Life
BY JANE PHELPS
MRS. PAGE GIVES A PRESENT.

Gnd pier 4D-
Grace and George Harter had sent
party. I had a new gown for the
occasion. Mrs. Page had been with
me when bought il and I had spent
far more than I should had I been
alone She had, exquisite taste altho
she liked more imposing things than
1 thought appropriate Yet when the
dress was finished and sent home, L
becoming one, never appeared to bet
ter advantage.
"a dignified woman, especially
married woman, always commands at
tention," she said "And it is the same
with her dressing. A dress that while
beautiful Ms also digniAed, always
stands out where the ordinary fluffy
ruffles sort. or the sweet girl graduate
idea is completely overlooked"
When tried the dress on after it
came home. she left the room for
moment. On returning she brought
lovely jade ornament, on fine gold
chain. When she put it over my head
the effect was perfect. fairly gasped
when she said:
You may keep it, Doreen. 1t just
suits you"
wanted to throw my arms around
her neck but knew that would dis
please her. She hated any exhibition
of emotion and she was not yet quite
thanked her as best I could and ad-
mired the lovely pendant enthusiastic
cally.
NO wonder Walter is an artist" I
said. "He gets his artistic taste from
you, and I haven't a bit!'' 1 added
rather ruefully. It-was rather a sore
point with me tha<-Walter thought me
SO inartistic.
as valuable his mother replied caus-
ticalIy.
But nothing could dampen my de-
light in the beautiful gifts or the
thought that had prompted it. I
showed it to Walter the moment he
came in and he said:
-Whewi The Mater certainly has
fallen for you, Doreen. She always
has thought pile of that thing. 1t
was brought her from Japan by a
friend of hers It's perfect on you. I
had forgotten she had it,
Il shall treasure it always I re-
turned THAI night wrote mother a
long letter telling her of my beautiful
gift, of Mrs. Pages kindness. L had
written in a different strain when she
first came to us and felt ashamed of
the impression of her L must have
given them at home. So I added that
she had really been wonderful, that
had not understood her at all at first
thought her hard and cold. That shes
was dignified, impatient of opposition,
but that underneath she had q real
lGIluSEISSSs ludL L was becoming very
fond of her, and thought she loved me
little 1 felt better after the letter
was dispatched. 1t would undo part
of what had done and would please
mother who had written me not to be
critical, but to wait until I knew my
mother-in-law better before I formed
an opinion.
But youth IS always hasty and was
young.
Grace showed me a list of her
guests.
mo, why should I +? Just because
she is Waits model is no reason we
must entertain her socially. Altho
lately she seems to have butted in al
most Everywhere we have been.
George would like to ask her, but I
dinner party. I don't like the girl
altho she is lovely to look at, and I
never shalI.'
mentioned the list to Walter He
said:
''she hasn't asked Helen? She will
repeated what Grace said, and
could see Walter didn't like it.
''She will be hurt he repeated.
she's sure. to hear of the dinner
party. Probably it will be in the pa
pers. Most of Grace's affairs usually
are noticed"
social affairs of people who know
them, have happened to meet them
because they Know the artist I re-
turned quietly. II don't see why Miss
Ralstrom should be hurt, why she
should expect an invitation.
Walter said no more, but all thru
dinner knew he was thinking of it.
He was distrait, so much so his
mother asked the cause- 1 could not
help a feeling of gladnese. had my
lovely new dress and pendent, Helen
with her vivid beauty would not be
there to put me in the shade.
But as we dressed for Grace's din
ner a week later he again referred to
it, again said Helen would be hurt.
couldn't help but wonder if he also
were a bit hurt that his lovely model
hadn't been invited.
CTomorrow-A successful dinner