The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-07-12

had clouded and raindrops splashec down on the scurrying pedestrians
 Tony turned up his coat collar spotted the bus he wanted, anC ran for it. As he crossed the street the box slipped from under hi! arm, and the wind sent it scurrying into the gutter.
 He dashed for it, but horse. hoof beat him to it. Undaunted the horse galloped on, the boz surrounding it's leg like a circus trapping-and the dress trailed be- hind in the mud.
 Tony shouted hoarsely to the driver, but to no avail. He re- trieved the dress with difficulty wrapped it hastily in a newspaper he carried, and rushed back to the bus.
 When he reached the Carruthers home in Mayfair a short while lat er Tony wondered whether to de- liver the package at the front door ] or the back A notice on the front door, however, decided the point for him.
 It read: Please deliver all pack ages at the side entrance"
 He rang the bell impetuously and Gwendolyn herself opened the door.
 Why Tony ." Her greenish eyes viewed him with surprise
 What are you doing here at this time of day? Delivering the meat, or something?"
 Tony looked down sheepishly at the untidy package under his arm. He began to see that it might not be so much fun after all.
 "As matter of fact" he stam- mered, its your dress from Mrs. Jerome's shop
 Gwendolyn's face flushed with anger.
 She snatched the package from him, held up the crumpled, torn, mud-splashed remains of what once had been an expensive evening frock of pale green taffeta. She stared at the dress in dis may, then looked up at a red-faced Tony.
 What's the meaning of this out rage, anyway" she demanded The tone of her voice should have warned him.
 "W-why, IT just dropped in at the shop and Mary Lou asked me to bring the dress around to you.
 At that remark Gwendolyn flew into rage.
 I've never heard Of anything so low, so rottenly mean You think you're making a fool of me, don't you, Tony Titherington? You and Mary Lou. Don't think I can't see through this trick. It's a put-up job between you two to make me feel small. If you ever so much as dare to show your face at this house again I'll l. ?
 Here Gwendolyns indignation failed her. She flung the rag of a dress in his face, and slammed the door.
 "Whew" Tony calculated a mo- ment later. '"I seem to have torn it and no mistake. Oh, damn this dress"
 Seeing a dust bin handy, he threw the dress into it, Slammed down the lid with a gesture of dis gust and stalked off fo get some lunch.
 He wondered if Mary Lou had known what would happen when he delivered the dress to Gwendolyn Or had it been entirely his fault for getting the dress into such 8 mess? He supposed it was, but il was too late now for regrets.
 At any rate, he told himself, hs was fed to the teeth with girls Mary Lou and Gwendolyn Carruth- CTS in particular. :. He'd be hanged if he'd worry about either of them. Let Gwendo- Iyn go to the devil and Mary Lot to Brynmor, for all he cared.
 The next morning, however, saw a very contrite Tony on his way to Jays gown shop. He had con cluded that it probably would bt best if he went back and explained just what had happened. It was ar unpleasant job, but it had to bs done.
 The fates were against him, fol it wasn't Mary Lou but Jay wht greeted him. He had come to holc Jay in considerable respect.
 Well, MT Titherington?"
 Briefly. he explained what hac happened, his face becoming reddel and redder with each sentence. Ht l insisted that Jay accept his check