Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-26
Scented Curb.
Scented Curb.
n A OSA spoke tareIessly az she
M glanced up at the man she
wv had hoped to marry: mo. /
4 Y i hardly think ] shall go home

Il
4 ' 4 hardly think ] shall go horne
for On, ia:n1ss. There are
so many things going on here in
town"
VIII nodded and went to his desk
az 9 O'Clock struck.
"IIe never mentioned the benefit
dance" thought the girl. her lashes
dripping quickly lest her new friend.
Maize. Gee the mist that had un.
accountably sprung to her eyes. Il
felt sure that he would ask me X he
knew I'd DC here in the city. He
hasn't been back in Rivertown this
year. so | feel sure he wort go for
Christmas. and | raw him buy two
tickets. He soemS 40 different here"
Mona had found city life different
in many ways. The salary she had
thought to he ample did not GO far
after paying her room rent and meals.
Clothes, too, had come to assume a
vast importance.
Buy your frocks first and eat
afterward." Maize advised and when
Mona went to a drug store with "A
list of toilet articles her chum laughed
indulgently and pulled her away from
the counter. Don't spend SO much
money on trifes: you don't need vio-
let scent and cheap powder Ia just
az good. What men notice ia fure
and silks. Come on. for what that
list would cost you could buy some
thing SNOWY"
That expressed Maize perfectly
snowy. Under her guidance Mona
wore cheap. fimSy silks and imita
ton furs and lost some Of the well
groomed appearance that had before
been her chief asset. The very cheap
white powder did not suit her olive
..-ffh hnT no
nnCs. she no longer brushet her hair
vigorously mad contented herself by
doing it up in curriers' to initiate the
Wild. friZzcd effect that Maize insisted
was the proper cOiffure for bohbed
hair. For some time she had been
stintinS on meals 10 save for dance
frock. She had seen a sea green satin
covered with shimmering soquins and
had paid dollar down to hold il
until she had the res; OF the money.
All that week she had been in
crcas ingly homesick. The sight Of the
hollv-trimmcd windows and the toy
displays brought back memories NJ
other wears spent al home. But il
she spent the railroad fare she could
not huv the shimmering gown for
the dance that was 10 he held the
night after Christmas. She had writ
ten her mother explaining this and
had sent a few simple gifts for the
chiarens stockings.
The office would be closed at noon
and the pay checks given 80 the
clerks could shop that afternoon.
Mona soherly added part of her sal
arv to the sum she already had. In
an hour the wonderful gown would
lie hers.
"Will didn't ask you. did he"
"a n
soft with sympathy.
Mona shook her head.
Don't YOU care. l was walking
down the avenue with my friend and
his chum and showed them dress
almos; like the one you've paid the
deposit on Al. the Chum. spoke right
up end said he'd like tn take you 10
tho dance IL you weren't already en-
gagged. said Id see
warm feeling OF comfort crept
into Mona's heart. Wits aloof man
ner had hurt her more than she would
have admitted and this proof OF
Nalxic's affection touched her. III
wasn't the habit OF most OF the girls
she knew Ia try TO produce partners
for the unlucky ones who had no,
hnen asked. Yet she didn't want Ia
GO with this strange chum. II she
didn't 60 with win she didn't want
10 dance.
Memories ~ the lighted windows
at home on Christmas eve rushed
hack. There would he the fat red
candles In the three front windows
tina, would burn until The parior door
was orened 10 show the ghitering
tree. Then the rush az the children
and the shouts 81 iaUghter-her moth.
er would be smiling AZ them ana
there would Ne the smell OF pine ana
Of cake and neishhcrs running IN
with popcorn halls and homemade
candy. Again she seemed to see the
seouin covered gown hanging Imply
from its hanger. Then she recalled
the toys IN the window display next
that store.
Come or" said Maixie. heres
where we 60 for your dress.
Mona swallowed hard. IL was as
though something dropped from her
eyes and she felt thankful that her