The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-22

give away your little secret. Least,
not MI OF It. I'll Just tell one part
Jerry's going to have asnew even
Ing dress, Minnie. I've decided she
can't wear this old blue thing I've
been fixing up" She paused.
"Jerry's going to have that rose
one with the silver lace you may
have seen In sherack's window.
|. Now Minnie Cooper was not
spIteful: she was not even scan.
dalmopger. but fifteen minutes af-
ter she walked slowly. thoughtfully
down the steps Of the Higgins
front porch half the young folks in
Bristol knew what Mrs. Higgins
had told her.
In the meantime back in the din.
ing room. as she went methodlcaily
about setting the table for supper,
this energetic little woman was
dealing with the speechless Jerry.
In all OF Jerry's twenty one years
she had let other people have their
way. Perhaps that Is the reason
Jack Crawford, good.natured but
pampcred son of the silk mill
Crawford, had never had a quar-
rel with her. Perhaps that was the
reason now that the twinkle eyed
mother was able to keep her plans
from her She said mysteriously:
You've heard tell that your
mother has friends in Albany,
haven't you? We'll maybe the
friends have sons. Nothing strange
about that, Is there?9 Then snah-
ing her head at any further rucs.
tioning from poor beliwderea Jerry
she started to talk Enthusiastically
about the rose dress.
The next morning after good
natured session with Mr.. Higgins
they left the breakfast dishes ana
went down Ito town, to buy 1t.
! Modelling this way and that to tho
! clerks, they proceeded to the 500
ond floor Of Shcrack's and had tho
dress taken out Sof the window.
What n lovely thing 1t was! a
skirt that went out in biIIowly
ipufrs. little bodice with putt
sleeves and a band OF silver lace
around the neck that was finished
off with tiny rOsebuds.
Ten minutes later III tn" fitting
room the interested sa'e3wGman
was fluttering about dressing Jerry
nc 10 uha yrnro a bride
at fits perfect" she cried,
when the last final pat was given
and a rose wreath brought from the
millinery department caught N her
soft, curly hair. "Isn t she ;ovHly?"
she exclaimed to Mrs. Higgins,
whose faded blue eyes were now as
eager as q girls. AID lovely she
was with her cheeks softly pink.
Like rose itself on tiptoe.
There's a flno big Error out in
1.-THE department. Look OF yourself
out there" coaxed the salcswo,
man.
Out stepped Jerry In all her
sweet beauty. But she did not move
She stood perfectly still, Across
the ladies department. Walking
with great strides, came Jack
/ Crawford.
Sam Tetlow told ME you and
your mother were up here" he
said, breathlessly, md then with a
great gasp of establishment that
was half marvel and half hurt he
stood and looked at her. Its
true, then" he said huskily
about the dancc-about getting ali
rugged up for some one else. /
heard 1t this morning" Then his
eyes met those Of Mrs. Higgins
standing in the fitting room door,
way
Look here. Mrs. Higgins, you've
always been my friend. You're not
going to let Jerry turn me down
this way"
Mrs. Higgins smiled gently. Its
up to Jerry. herself. Jack. She
can change her mind either way"
He turned fiercely again to Jerry.
LOOK here, II you like this other
fellow better. why-why, all right.
How do you know he's tho right
kind? Oh, Jerry" his voice sank in
utter misery, 81 wanted to marry
you!"
Perhaps you have guessed that
there were dream lights somewhere
in Jerry's blue eyes. Something
must have happened to them then.
Right thcer in the ladies ready to
wear department Jack reached for
her little hand. Come on Jerry,
please. This pink thlng'll be the
beginning Of tho trousseau, huh?
Huh, Jerry? We could tell them to-
night at the dance"
And back in the fitting room
Mrs. Higgins was complacently
! paying the salcswoman. 1t was not