Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-21
The Chime Clock.

T the last moment Arthur had
n said she might 60 But, he
"A added firmly, that once they got
4 to the city she must look after
herself He would be too busy
TO bother with her.
It vas because the doctor had in
sisted she needed a change that Caro-
line decided to 60. A day in the city
would be a tremendous change for her
and it wouldn't INST much. The cost
was really what counted most. They
were cutting corners in order to send
Jack to college next year. Arthur
thought that the boy might better start
right in to work. but Caroline. who had
been obliged to leave school at 10,
wanted her boy to have good educa-
ton.
They were going on the train be-
cause unlike most of their neighborS,
thev didn't own a car Caroline dress
ed very carefully for the trip. She had
pressed her dark crepe dress. brushed
her gray coat and her small black felt
hat and BACKED her shoes till they
scarcely showed sign of wear. Excite
ment lit her blue eyes, flushed her
cheeks. curled her lips in a happy
smile. It seemed almost as II she and
Arthur were starting out again on a
wedding trip.
ecribbled notes on the back of old en-
velopes. She watched him wistfully. He
vas so big. so fine, this man of hers.
But there was worried look about his
dark eyes, his firm mouth. He was
anxious to get that contract. His get
ting the contract depended upon his
conference with those big fellows in
the city. II he got 1t times would be
a lot easier for all of them. But Caro-
line. who had learned what diSappolnt-
ment means, dared not think too far
ahead.
At the city terminal Arthur put his
wife on a car which would take her
into the heart of the shopping section.
For Caroline was going to spend the
whole day looking about the stores,
rare treat for the little countrY-bred
woman When he had finished bust
ness Arthur would look for her in the
restroom at Fuller's. Meanwhile, she
was not to cross the main street at all,
she must watch out at corners, II she
got turned round she must ask po-
liceman to direct her and she must
get a good nourishing lunch promptly
at noon Caroline. sGrolling along The
brilliant street, drank her fill of its
thousands of colorful allurements. She
must remember how that dress was
made so as to tell 10 Warren. The hats
were palmer than she expected, the
shoes fanc1er. she was Charmed DN
window demonstration of electrical
appliances. She went in at the bidding
of an advertisement to see If dress
really could be made in an hour. She
visited the 10 cent store, fairyland,
where she bought gifts for everybody
back home - gay carriers, talcum,
punches of artificial flowers, boxes OF
writing paper and candy.
She was having a beautiful time. 1t
was noon before she dreamed. Gong
into the tearoom of great store she
sat down at one of the dainty tables
and ordered tea and sandwiches. But
she did not care so much about the
food as watching other women.
After lunch she made tour OF the
store, storing up eager impressions OF
everything she saw. Draperies, furnl-
ture lamps and glassware fascinated
her. And clocks. She had never seen
so many clocks together. She had
always wanted a chime clock. When
you were lying awake at night musical
tinkle would be such comfort to hear.
Clocks were lots of company daytimes
too. They didn't have a clock that
struck. In fact, the only timepiece in
the house you could rely on Was the
nickel alarm clock on the kitchen shell.
AS Caroline stood admiring the clocks
a courteous young salesman asked what
he could do for her. He began to SHOW
her the clocks. to wind them up for her