The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-16
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
AGlothes and the Assistant
Professor
81 8. LouIs RAYeoLp.

9~NCE more Jean read through
the letter which had arrived
70 find her In mood OF de.
lpondency most unusual. Like q
gieam OF sunshine 1t had frightened
The gloomy prospect Of Christmas
way from home. To be sure, lly.-
ing with ones step.aunt didn't make
much OF q home, but even that was
better than the dismal, deserted
campus and the empty dormitory
nFhpse walls still echoed with the
Jolly laughter OF departing girls.
And then had arrived this charm.
ing note from one Of the unIver-
Aty's most attractive graduates:
my Dear Miss Gray:
HIt will afford US tho greatest
possible pleasure TO haVO you spend
Inc. holidays with US. We are en-.
PERTAINING most informally and will
Expect you Christmas Eve.
u. Cordially yours,
MARJORIE HOLDEN"
sAiost informally!" jeans brow
elouded. Instinct told her that
hose two words had been inserted
10 Intimate that her hostess did
$ not expect her TO come equipped
with evening gowns and opera
Eapes. only-Jean had so much
Sess than thatI Just a few plain
waists and a shabby skirt or two
Snd shoes that needed constant
daily renewals with the backing
brush to make them even passably
respectable. Even most informal.
~. guests would have blouses and
y Silk stockings and shimmery under.
things.
.fl-can't-gol" Jean wInked back
Nrnaccustomed tears and stared
hud at a picture on the wall in
front Of her. AS her vision cleared
she became aware that she was gag.
ing at tho group photograph TAX
On after the last Dramatic society
ilay. What fun she had had! For
ono brief evening she had been a
''star" and worn truly becoming
Il. only-Jean sat suddenly up.
right with Dyes that sparkled. "Pli
10 to Mrs. Holden's and wear those
Aothes!" she cried ecstatically.
leans inspiration was born Of the
tact that the Dramatic society had
ISSUED a recent edict. Clothes worn
in the annual plays were TO be pur.
chased and become the property OF
The Organization and so be always
a'vailable for future performances.
sIean was property mistress and
held the key TO the wardrobe that
contained them.
"lf Mrs. Holden had not been
abroad when We gave 'Nancy's Eng.
fish Cousin this little stunt might
have been impossible" unused Jean
rs, the following day, she folded
and packed the smart little serge
dress she had worn in tho third
Act. Three changes there had beer,
noted respectively In the stage di.
rections as "a onepiece SERGE" "a
simple party frock" and "a strik.
J ing outdoor costume" Jean took
al three.
p Late Christmas eve found Jean
sinking bllsstully TO rest, prepared
10 dream Of the coming good times
With the jolly crowd which had met
her so Hospitality at the station.
Lucky girl, that for a few brief
hours at least she was utterly hap
ny.
For the following morning at the
gay, holIy.decked breakfast table
Mrs. Holden unsuspcctinGly TUNED
Jeans happiness TO ashes. my
brother, Jean, who came after you
had gone upstairs last night. Why.
You know each other!"
"of course, we know each 9th
Ari" smiled a singularly attractive
young man. 81 coached the play in
which Miss Gray played n demure
little English girl--and well do
sremember her in the part!"
Yes, 1t seemed that Cary Endi.
colt, who had made "Nancy's Eng
s1tsh Cousin" the success It had
been, was Mrs. HoIden's brother.
Jean had known him simply as the
ssse~e-~@.~-~--~--~-~