New-York tribune., 1922-01-01

band. DO you mean haven't any right to
know how much expensive clothes cost just
because | can't afford to buy them9'
"None Of US is trying to do anything but
correct you mems impression that Gereia's
clothes bargain counter articles" put in
Mrs. Cribbage
Il guess we men better not get mixed up in
clothes talk chucked Samuel Cribbagc. "Wc
always get the worst of it,"
AS was quite in keeping with the homo at
mosphere of Mrs. Canary's boarding house no
one ever locked their doors. A locked top
bureau drawer desk was the most one could
venture without seeming to cast suspicion on
the other inmates.
Go into my room any time, if I'm not there
and help yourself" was the understanding re-
gardng reading matter, sewing baskets and
home remedies.
The next afternoon, when Mrs Cribbagc
went up to Gertie's room, she found Mrs Bin
ney there.
II came in to sec if Gerte had spool Of
black sewing silk" explained Mrs Binncy,
hastily, land just happened to see her
hat" The open box was on the floor. The
hat was on the speakers head
"Its too small for your face" said Mrs
NiipOdRc, WIN Satisfaction.
II always could wear small hat" caid
Mrs Binney, stifify. 81 suppose you came up
70 try on her coat ] believe it's there in the
closet
II came up to borrow one Of Gertie's maga
zInesS Sshe told me ! could, any time" Mrs.
Crbbage offered as her alibi. "But, seeing
I'm here and You are trying on her hat
can't see no harm in taking closer look at
ner coat, you suggest
Do There isn't any lining III this hat
Mrs. Binney said significantly.
II thought she made it herself triumphcd
Mrs. Cribbage taking the coat off the hanger.
"Oh, it didn't fool mo for moment"
Laughed Mrs. Binncy
Before the pier glass the old lady regarded
her reflection. The anticipation that had gilt
tered in her eyes gave way to dull disilusion.
Samuel was right" she sighed. "This
coat doesn't look the same on me- somehow
OF course Gerte is taller Here, you put it
on again
Mrs Binney did so.
No; it doesn't look any better on you than
It did me- smiled Mrs Crbbage, compla-
Gently. "All hold against Gertie," she burst
out, 'is the sly way she does things. If she
thought of getting a coat and hat why
didn't she mention it beforehand, like the rest
Of us doo"
'That's it exactly, Mrs. Crbbage Just the
way / think. If she makes q mystery Of
things wc can't be blamed for thinking--any-
thing we do think"
And she can't expect Us to take any in
terest in her clothes unless she gives us her
confidence, Mrs. Binney'
'You right. AS older women, We would
be glad to advise her-and take a real interest
in her clothes. Perhaps we better go into my
room,' added Mrs. Binney
'Now; May is so different" Mrs. Cribbage re-
sumed the conversation, when they were COM
fortably settled in the room across the hall, oc-
cuped by the Binneys "May always comes to
me with everthing.'
SHE does TO me, too. She is q lovely girl
so frank. | tell her she is a little fool to tell
Gertin anything after the way Gertie treats
her"
"May believes if she pretends to be friend
to anybody in being one commented Mrs.
Cribbage. "When May bought her fur coat
last year didn't she tell Gertie and all of us
she was going to get one long beforehand"