San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-04
/ Upper Gloucester Place!

lngS. All Ine same. All WlLn suOhe-
grimed faces. Blear-eyed windows.
Grayish lace curtains.
Aglow with the lure of adventure.
Helen scanned the numbers. However
shabby the house. the front door al
ways groomed. Polished knockers AMI
scrubbed steps.
100" further along the row. The
windows cleaner. The ported ferns less
scraggy. The lace curtains less gray.
Three bells. Over the center one the
single name, lyle"
A long wait. Then the door opened
cautiously. A young girl peered out.
''Mrs. Lyle?" inquired Helen.
as Madame Lyle expecting you"
"Why-no," disconnected. SIS it
necessary to make an appointment"
II will ask if madame can see you."
grudgingly admitting her.
Through the black hall, and up
dim flight of stairs.
NJ the llioI lduuiuS, u sLuul "dlt-
ing room. The wicker chairs. cretonne
cushions, and chirping canary in
cheerful contrast to the dinginess be-
low.
Have a seat, please. will take
your card to Madame Lyle"
Why this suspicious reception? The
air of mystery deepcned as she wait.
ed.
Steps in the hall. Voices. flushed.
surreDtitious voices.
The young girl reappeared. But onlV
to close the door!
Her lnnd on the knob, she stood
guard while stealthy steps hurried
down the stairs.
MUCH SECRECY.
What did it mean? outgoing pa
trons-afraid to be seen?
"Will you come this way, please"
now turning to Helen.
Out in the hall, up three steps. AMI
into large cluttered room.
BE seated, please. Madame will sec
you in a few moments"
Why these waits? Why the Sc
crecy? Why this formality to see
Madame" Lyle?
This strange room with curtaine1
shelves. The floor piled with boxes
boasting gilt labels of the best Lon
don shops.
How had Mrs. Stevens found this
place? Again Helen took out her let
ter.
II must give you The address of
my strange London find. A private
Dress Agency'-Lyle, 30 Upper
Gloucester Place.
'In England n Dress Agency is
glorified hand-me-down shop, where
titled and wealthy women send their
clothes. But you may pick up some
wonderful old jewelry and real lace.
Don't pay the first price-makc Of
fers. Take your rag-market manners.
81 got a lace collar. She had an
other-reaI Limerick. Three guincas
but she'll take two. Do get it for
me, il it's there"
MADAME SUSfitIOJS.
Helen returned the letter to her
handbag, as the folding doors slid
open.
Madame Lyle! Tall, naughty. Cor.
rugated waves, long earrings, brace
lets.
"Good-aftern0on. May I ask who
recommended you hereE" coldly APP
braising.
Mrs. Stevens Of New York" flush
ed Helen, resenting her scrutiny.
"Mrs. Stevens? / have several
American customers. Oh, yes, | think
/ remember" thawing slightly. will
you come into the front room"
At last in the inner sanctuary!
Here the walls lined with glass cases.
Shimmering evening gowns. luxur-
ious English "tea-frocks," gorgeous
wraps.
"What is it you wish to see?"
sharply. as Helen started to "look
around"
Have you any shawls?" defen.
sively. "An embroidered silk shawl?"
The white MORE box Madame
opened bore a famous Paris name.
A glimpse Of other treasures be-
meath the tissue paper. But. defeat
ing Helen's curiosity, she drew out
only a Spanish shawl. Vivid pcacocks
and flowers.
Helen glanced ut the tag. The cryp-
tie letters, KIM" were unenlight
ening.
Only fifteen guineas. You'd pay
twenty-five in a shop. And the lady
wore it only once. 4 titled lady," i'm
pressiycly. "She went into mourn.
ing"
Its very lovely" murmured Helen.
''But / wanted one Ill white"
The frigidity with which Madame
Lyle thrust back the box implied that
Helen had come only to '.loOk." An
uncountcnanccd offense in an English
shop.
Buy sometime first. Anything.
however small. Buv il and pay for it.
Once q customcr-thcn you can Took
Around
But no small things here! Yes. pcr-
fumc-Gn ounce Of famous brand.
The purchase made. Madame be-
came more friendly.
To ask for old jcwelry and lace
would augment the price. Much bet.
ter TO ruin across them.
In her casual" survey. Helen
nauscd before a shelf Of evening slip
pcrs.
"I'm afraid THERE'S nothing small
enough for you" observed NADINE.
Just then summoned into the next
room by tho telephone. she did not sec
IL. -. l.