San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-04
The Married Life of
Helen and Warren
By MABEL HERBERT URNER
A Peculiar Trade

'AsAeA OiekNDis
me-tights too often seen At brestfas,
IN London hotels.
Gloves. Long evening gloves. Reek.
ing of gasoline.
A box of odds-and-ends. Fans, hair
ornaments, aigrettes-but no lace.
AS Madame Lyle re-entered now,
Helen felt forced to declare her quest.
Il wonder if you have any old
lace?"
FINDS REAL LACE.
From locked cabinet madame pro-
duced a brown glazed box.
Yes, real lace! Helen tried to cor
ceal her eagerness.
Mrs. Stevens Limerick" collar NOT
there. But several others most allur-
ing. One of fine Brussels just the
shape for her blue taffeta.
Thirty-five shillings! But remem-
bering Mrs. Stevens "tip," Helen fi-
nally got it for pound. And dainty
old Blonde" lace fichu for twelve
shillings.
Have you any old jewelry" casu-
ally. approaching the cabinet.
a mahogany box this time. But
nothing of Interestingly modern
brooches and bracelets. The hoop
bracelets. of which the Englishwoman
wears five or six.
Yes, j know what you want-thc
real old bits in antique settings. Two
nothing just now. How long will YOU
be in London? Two weeks? Come IL
again before you sail. Or leave your
address, will drop you q line"
Helen hesitated. To give their
Whitehall Court address 70 "Dress
Agency"
'Oh, we use only. plain envelopes
interpreting her reluctance. I'VE have
customers from the smartest hotels.
They find things here they cannot get
in the shops-and at half the price.
"One of my titled ladies has the
most exquisite clothes. A customer
from Manchester takes them all. Her
husband is a rich barrister-she could
buy anywhere. But my lady's things
are hardly worn and just fit her.
Fortunately they are about the same
agc-for now they are both growing
stouter. have many cases like that
customers who take the entire war1-
robes of my ladies'"
That's very interesting" encorr-
aged Helen. You should write your
Yes, / have been told that" fall
ing for this overwhelming bait. 81
have so many titled ladies-who both
buy and sell. They know they can
trust me-the greatest asset in this
business.
"All my books ] keep locked. No
one has access to them-n?t even nv
assistant. We have three rooms here
--insuring perfect privacy. You have
nothing like this in American"
Not that / know Of. We have Just
the cheap secondhand shops"
THAT is what the American ladies
tell me. There are Dress Agencies all
over London-but ! have the most
exclusive patronage" turning to the
door.
Again the young girl. 4 whispered
announcement. AnC>her customer!
"Ill try to come in before we SAIL
Helen gathered up her packages.
Eyes, do. may have some old
jewelry. Just q moment-my assistant
will see you out"
When Helen was ushered through
the halt the waiting room door was
discreetly closed.
Down the dim steps, out through
the black hall.
Before the door-a private limou-
sine Two men on the box.
The customer just announced! The
one closcted in the waiting-room. A
crest on her car. 4 titled ladyw To
sell or TO buy? Perhaps only her
maid.
STRANGE TRADE.
This drab house in this quiet,
dngy row. No sign. nothing TO dis
Thrush IT, Just Lyle" over the
middle hell. Yet an amazing bust
ness with n more amazing clientele!
Still under the glamour of her ad-
venture, Helen strOllcd on through the
soft hazv twilight.
The London hour she loved best.
Liohts coming out THROUGH the mist.
The street lamps-faint fulvous blurs.
H"re and there n glowing window.
The T.0ndOnish smell Of coke and
burnt leaves.
Almost six. Would she have time
TO 90 hack on bus?
At Baker Street now. Yes. one
coming-mnrkcd "Oxford Circus"
She could change there for Whitehall.
Joyously she scrambled up to the
top.
AlNaNS ner lncn OF DllSS. n Dus-
ton ride throuuh this enchanted hour
Of dusk. The mist-hazed London
dusk. with its smoky autumnal smell.
London! Adventuring in London
How she loved it. A glow Of graft.
tude that they could come over every
year.
And now back to their whitehall
Court flat-Hnd out to dinner with
Warren! Where? SIMPSONS? Che
shire Cheese? The Cock? She loved
best those ancient doVn-in-the-city
chnn houses.
Held up at Wi"more street cross
ing. A majestic Bobby directing sraf-
fic
That limousine! The two men on
the box-the crest!
From her bus-tOD perch, Helen could
look down into the car.
HELEN MYSTIFIED.
A grew suede pump resting on
largc white box. Not the foot OF
maid. The gray silk stocking expe~-
sivelv clockrd.
tn" boTi What was In Il? FOR
or FROM the DRESS Agencvr A
gown brou~ht back bernuse Madans
Lyle would not paw the price? Or
son,"thing purchased there?
TIE traffic still delayed. The gray