The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-05-25

Continued From Yesterday
Mrs. Briskow gasped. she rolled
her eyes and famed herself. she
appealed 60 Allegheny. hut Il was
evident that the latter had kept her
eyVs open and had done some think.
ing. FOR she broke out, pSssionatcly;
You make me sick. Ma Itli take
all Pa can afford. and then some,
10 make as look like other people,
I never knew how plumb ridiculous
We are till"
Not that" Gray protested.
You know we're ridiculous" she
Tried. fierccly. Were a couple OF
iOw's ears and all Pas royalties
nnt make u into silk purses. But
--mebbe we can manage 10 look like
I5. n We spend enough"
Gray determined that the glrl
should not be disappointed II he
could help Il. so he went directly
20 the head saleswoman Of the first
store. and asked her TO assume the
role OF counselor where elreum-
stance compelled him TO relinqulsh
q, explaining that in addition 10
hats, gowns. shoes. and the like,
both Ma and Allie needed variety
o. confidential apparel with which
he had only the vaguest acquaint.
anee. Altho the woman agreed TO
his request. he found before long
that his trust In her had been mis-.
placed, Not only did she threaten
TO take advantage OF her customers
ignorance. but also. to Gray's anger.
she displayed a poorly veiled con.
tempt FOR and amusement at his
charges.
Allegheny was not long in feel.
ins this She had entered the es.
adjustment aQuiver with hope and
anticipation. This was her great
adventure. She was like a timid
child. enraptured at sight OF its first
tinseled Christmas tree: TO have that
ecstacy spoiled. to see the girls ten
derest senslb!htics wounded by a
naughty clerk. enraged the man who
played Santa Claus. Abruptly he re-
sumed charge OF the BViskow pur-
cbases. and Il gave him a pang 10
note how ALE sheny ran TO him with
her hurt. as II were.
Blu, matters did not progress as
well as he lad expected Allies
disappointment at the death OF her
dream she hid under an assump.
al, - f,F.Ff.-.,,..4 sh. ,,..r~t,s
paved over the pretty things shown
her and pretended 10 ignore the
ridicule she AMI her mother excited.
But her face was stony. her eyes
wcre hopeless. miserable.
For once in his life Calvin Gray
was at a loss. and knowledge OF
that fact caused him to chew saw.
ageIy at his cigar. To his Devil.
dered companions he remained en-.
thusiastie. effeyesccnt. but behind
their backs he giowercd al the we'll
gFoomed customers and cursed the
snickering models who paTaded their
wares. Engaged thus. he became
aware OF stranger who looked on
n, the pitiful little comedy without
amusement. She was a pretty
thing. Gray stared al her openly
and his scowi vanished. When she
moved away. he made a sudden de-
cision. excused himself. and fol
lowed her.
He was gratifled al the manner
in which she accepted hts breaihlcss
apology for speaking to her. az the
poisc with which she listened while
no made himself and his companions
known to her and explained the
plight in which ne found himself.
You can savs the reason OF a
distracted man and add to the hap
.Incss Of two poor. bewildercd WON
~. IL you WILL" he concluded. ear
acstly. 1T isn't a funny situation
rs tragic"
What do you wish me to dor
no girl inquired.
ITS a lot TO ask. I know. but
won't you help them buy the things
they need and save them from fur
Their humiliation at the hands Of
these highbrow clerks and lowbrov
customers III want TO punch
somebody in the nose"
Il was sure you did. That 4
Wat attracted my attention.
You arc a person OF taste. II yot
..1I pardon a perfectly obvious com
.liment from total stranger. ant
they need such woman's guidance
But they need. even more. littl'
bit OF feminine tact and sympathy
Look He showed Gus Briskowi
blank check. "The whole store Il
theirs. II they wish IT. Think wha
that ought 10 mean to two poo