The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-16
EOening Story
A Little Thing Like Clothes.
BY JESSIE DOUGLAS.

That" said Tom Winship, knock
ing the ash from his cigaret, lis the
primmest girl in this town.
They both looked after the retreat
ing figure of Daisy Miller, dressed so
neatly in her blue serge that conceal
ed her ankles. with a black hat that
red-brown hair tucked out of sight.
IF you give me month i could
have that girl SO dead in love with
me that any one could see it, Arthur
Baldwin offered.
You've lost already, and I'll put
ten on it, Art"
Daisy MilIers heart beat very fast
as she washed the dinner dishes. She
had really not seen anything of Ar
thur Baldwin since they We're in high
school together; she had thought less
of him. and vet tonight he had tele-
phoned to ask If he could come to see
her.
She heard the complaining voice of
her father as ne hunted for the eve
ming paper, and hurrying into the
other room she cried, I'll find it for
you, dad
Daisy settled the old man in the
chair by the fire. slipped to her knees
to put on his house slippers, retrieved
his lost glasses and retreated again
to her waiting dishes.
II don't see why he should want to
see me-" she thought, 81 can't under
stand" and yet her heart fluttered
strangely and she felt a new glow in
the dullress of her gray days and a
new romance spring out of monotony.
In her own room she surveyed her
wardrobe critically. The gray challie
was past redemption and her best
waist needed a patch under the arm;
the only thing left was what she had
on, the blue serge dress that had never
been anything but useful.
She turned away from the vision of
herself in the mirror.
you're hopeless There's no use.
OF course he's come to see you on
business"
Yet again she felt that strange new
excitement when the bell wheezed and
she opened the door to Arthur Bald
win. He stood a moment in the hail
under the tiny blue flame of gas, re-
tanning her hand.
''I am glad to see you. Da sy!" he
said. scrutinizing her white face
There was an awkward silence for
a moment after he had seated him
self in the comfortabl living room in
the big chair across from Mr. Miller.
How're you getting on with your
law?" old Mr.. Miller gasped
Arthur Baldwin found himself in
the clutches OF that inveterate old
talker. and ,he listened to drowsy
"reminiscences of the '4O's, while he
fidgeted in his chair.
When at last he said good night he
admitted 1t was one of the dullest
evenings he had ever spent and quite
unsuccessful except for his last re-
mark to Daisy.
You certainly have wonderful hair,
Daisy" he said as he took her hand
under the whimpering gas flame in
the hall.
He smirked to himself as he re-
merrrbered the slow. almost painful
flush that touched her cheeks
But when she was all alone, she
stood for moment in the hall. with
her hands pressed to her hot checks
q r. 70 H. l.
the stairs to his room and she fol-
lowed noiselessly and swiftly.
When she had lighted the can
dies on either side of her dressing
table she ,peered in at the won
red-brown twist and began to arrange
it with delicate care. with great
waves over her forehead it seemed TO
transform herEalm ost-or she
fancied SO in the uncertain light of
''Ira old enough to know better"
Daisy thought next morning as she
scanned the paper; but a new infec-
ton in the air had caught her and
she explained to her father briefly
that she was going to the city.
1t must have been the hair that
did it, but Daisy was unable to re-
sist hat that looked altogether al
Turing in one of the smartest shops
on Fifth avenue.
But the hat made her suit look even
older than ever; and Daisy plunged.
She gasped when she saw herself in
the new suit with its long, slim lines
and its delicious golden brown color;
with the hat with the pheasant's wing
it was bewitching. But how shabby
her shoes looked; besides every one
was wearing strapped pumpsi
AS a very last touch she bought
herself a new veil. and trembling with
excitement she adjusted it carefully
to her lat.
It'll take me years to save it all
again. Daisy thought sham efacedly.
"All the money that I put by for a
rainy day!
She settled herself down by the win
dow in the train, feeling in her new
clothes that was was too noticeable. I