Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1925-08-21

May sat silent, watching the
chamhcrmaid pack away Carlottaa
dresses in the huge wardrobe trunks
that stood in the middle of the floor
The door Of the clothes-closet
stood open; and within it were still
more drosses--bright-hucd things Of
silk and cobwebby lace. Carlotta's
things were always the sort that n
very young girl might wear to her
first party.
Below them on the floor, stood a
neat row Of slippers. The dressing
table was covered with boxes of
powder, jars of rouge, and bottles
Of perfume and toilet water.
The sight of these things stirred
in May n wholly feminine longing
for things like them.ncw clothes
and new cosmetics to enhance her
beauty in the somewhat bored eyes
of Herbert Waterbury.
She looked down at her plain
black dress and walking-shoes with
great dissatisfaction.
'Do you know, believe Pm tired
Of these widows weeds Of mine. -
she said suddenly to Carlotta, Il
want something cheerful again
red dinner gown or a suit of hunt
cr's green. Hurry up and dress, and
wen go out shopping, eh wot?"
Carlotta frightened visibly. Fair
enough," she said, There's nothing
| enjoy quite so much rs shopping
with somebody clso--unless it's
shopping for myself"
It was cold out Of doors. Carlot-
ta's lips were quite blue rs they hur
ried down the Broadwalk toward
tho dress-shop in the Marlborough
Bienhem.
II think you'd better buy your
self fur coat instead of n fall
suit" she said to May, with chatter
ing teeth. you'd be able to use it
ont in California, too, this winter,
Sometimes it's right cold out there. "
May gave this sober thought for
n long moment.-Shc had spent al
most half of her $4,000 in the two
short weeks she had had it. At this
rate, Il wouldn't last long
oh, well, what was the differ
enee? She had made up her mind
to spend every cent she had in the
world on misunderstanding And
she wasn't going to change her pro-
cram now, when Herbert Water
bury was almost in her net
can right. let's go and look ut
fur coatsw she cried recklessly to
Carlotta, "And | want to get a
counle Of dresses, too"
"You may j-i-ust rs w-well get
what YOU need for all winter. now,
Carlotta said shivcring, Because
there aren't any smart shops near
Los Altos. Wen spend most of our
time in khaki brooches. up there, y
The only coat that May really
wanted in the little fur-store mile
down the Boardwalk, was n soft,
gold-colored one of mink. 1t was
$4,000
Il won't even try it on she said
to the saleswoman. Because | know
I'd never take it off, if | did. And
can't afford it. Let's see that one
of mole-skin that's in the window.
The saleswoman, who knew her
business. shrugged her shoulders
with supreme indifference. TRY il
on, If you like" she said. but you
will not like it. Gray is not fol
colorless women"
May stiffened, She did not like tc
be called "colorleSs, She thought
Of herself rs being the tone Of
mother-of- pearl.
"Madame'S lovely skin needs s
background like thisw the woman
went on smoothly. and before May
new what she was DOING. she IN,
flung the mink con around her.
Even the phlegmat.c Carlott'
gave a little cry Of admiration a
May nestled her chin into the sof
Fur. The collar rose flatteringl!
behind her dark hair.
A line of Ro6cr: Browning
flashed through her brain:
IF one could have tina, little hea,
Of hers,
Set on background Of pure Tuscan
gold"
A poem written by fese~and
blood man Co woman's beauty
That was what men wanted~-th,
beauty of women, They wrote tkei
poems to it. painted il apon I'M
mortal canVSSeS--
And If this fur coat served rs