The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-17
Eoening Story
Clothes and the Assistant
Professor.
BY H. LOUIS RAYBoLD.

winch hdd arrived to IlnQ her IN
mood of dependency most unusual. 4
Like a CLEAN of sunshine it had
frightened the glony prospect of a
Christmas away from home. To be
sure, living with ones step-aunt didn't
make much of a home, but even that
was better than the dismal, deserted
campus and the empty dormitory
whose walls still echoed with the jolly
laughter of departing girls.
And then had arrived this charming
note from one of the university'S most
attractive graduates:
my. Dear Miss Gray:
1T will afford us the greatest pos
sfble pleasure to have you spend the
holidays with us. We are entertain
ing most informally and will expect
you Christmas eve.
Cordially yours,
s'MARJORIE HOLDEN
Most informatio Jeans brow
clouded. Instinct told her that those
two words had been inserted to insl
innate that her hostess did not expect
her to come equipped with evening
gowns and opera capes. Only-Jean
had so much less than that! Just a
few plain waists and shabby skirt
or two and shoes that needed constant
daily renewals with the backing
brush to make them even passably
respectable. Even most informally"
guests would have blouses and silk
stockings and shimmery undertakings.
"I-can't-go!'' $ean winked back
unaccustomed tears and started hard
at a picture on the wall in front of
her. AS her vision cleared she be-
came aware that she was gazing at
the group photograph taken after the
last Dramatic society play. What fun
she had had! For one brief evening
she had been a star and worn truly
n nRn r a
If only-Jean sat suddenly upright
with eyes that sparkled. Til go to
Mrs. HoIden's and wear those clothes!
she cried ecstatically. jeans inspira-
ton was born of the tact that the
Dramatic society had issued recent
edict. Clothes worn in the annual
plays were to be purchased and be-
come the property of the organization
and so be always available for future
performances. Jean was property
mistress and held the key to the ward
robe that contained them.
'Tf Mrs Holden had not been
abroad when we gave 'Nancy's English
Cousin this little stunt might have
been impossible" unused Jean as, the
following day, she folded and packed
the smart little serge dress she had
worn in the third act. Three changes
there had been, noted respectively in
the stage directions as "a one-piece
SERGE ga simple party frock" and "a
striking OUTDOOR costume. jean look
all three.
Late Christmas eve found Jean sink
ing blissfully to rest, prepared to
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 happy.
For the following morning at the
gay, holly deeked breakfast table Mrs.
Holden unsuspectingly turned jeans
happiness to ashes. MY brother
Jean. who came after you had gone.
upstairs last night. Why, you know
each OtheF!"
"Of course, we know each other!"
smiled a singularly attractive young
man. Il coached the play in which
Miss Gray played a demure little Eng
lish girl-And well do remember her
in the part."
Yes. it seemed that Cary Endicott,
who had made 'tNancy's English Cou-
sim the success it had been, was Mrs
Helden's brother. Jean had known
him simply as the popular young as
sistant professor from a neighboring
boys college. And he remembered
her wek in the part So, of course.
he would remember the "one- piece
serge" and the simple party frock,"
to say nothing of the striking outdoor
costumei"
In the days that followed the girl
y
watched her with a perpetually quiz
zical expression. It seemed to her
that she could read his very thoughts;
could imagine him saying, 'Ah, yes,
the young lady took advantage of the
fact that the girls were away to tog
herself out in stage properties. How
did she expect to get away with it2"
Yet these suspicious were unjust
Whatever the young mans inner
thoughts, his outward attitude was one
that any girl might have approved
And at the same time, unobtrusiveIy,
he endeayored to be Jeans partner in
the hikes and skiing expeditions and
sleigh rides with which the hours were
enlivened.
On one of the very last days of vaca-
ton the crowd set out on snowshoes
across the hills. Cary had managed
matters SO that he and Jean Jagged
far behind the others. Suddenly, in a
snowy but sheltered hollow, as the rest
topped distant summit and disap-
peafed. Cary turned right about face
and held out his arms. Jean, darling.
will you be my wife ?' The abruptness
of his words did not rob them of effec-
tiveness.
Jean flushed furiously. 'T-oh-
why, how can you-after-after these
clothes? %
Assistant Prof. Endicott's face ex-
pressed nothing beyond utter mystifi-
cation. Then he shook his head. I'm
aTrald-maybe I'm dense, but
And Jean had to explain, her slim
hands clenching themselves within the
odd little English muff which was part
of her striking outdoor costume"
When she had finished Cary just
stood for a moment regarding her ever
so gently, ever so tenderly. Then,
Didn't you know, you funny girl
that men can live with clothes year in
and year out and never notice them
It's the people that wear them that
count"
And happy Jean. snuggled close in
his arms, knew that he had spoken
the truth