Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-01-17
Why His Coat
Was Shabby
By CORONA REMINGTON
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

(CopyrighO
Uu AVE a bite Of my sandwichT
II offered pretty little Hazel
West.
"Thanks, kid, got couple o. cream
puffs. Eat your own sandwich
What's your name and where're you
workin'? I'm Mable Richards. spelled
M-a-y-b-e-double-l-e. II you please"
She tossed her befrizzled bobbed head
and giggled good-naturally at the new
girl.
"My names Hazel West and I'm in
the hosiery department"
81 saw you yesterday when you
were leaving the store. but didn't get
q chance to speak to you. Was that
your steady waitin' for youf"
Hazel flushed. gulped the last mouth
full Of her sandwich and nodded
"You ought to see my Teller He
dresses something grand and got a
fivver that goes like the wind. And
generousl oh. boyl"
She screwed up the brown paper
bag that had contained the puffs and
tossed II In the direction Of the tall
wire basket. It missed the mark,
struck the side and fell to the floor,
lying beside an orange peel. Then
she fished out compact case and lip
stick and became totally engrossed In
the reflection she saw In the small
mirror.
"Why don't you make up littleT
she asked suddenly of the other girl.
"You wouldn't look SO plain. And say,
kid. if was you I'd tell that guy to
get him a new overcoat. He looks
like he'd come out Of the ark. How
longs he had it?"
"Three years." she stammered.
Gee whizl Why don't you tell him
to send It to the Smithsonian Insti-
toote for a RELIEF"
"He's saving" Hazel began.
swell, he wouldn't practice his saw
ing on me. You ought to see Arthur
come across when I'm round. Takes
me to the best place for dinner and
everything. And when we get married
he's goin' right on the same way.
Men amt got no respect for you un-
less you make 'em step lively. Well,
I'll have to be gettin' back to my
hats"
Whistling her own music she fox
trotted out Of the rest room and left
her new friend decidedly uneasy and
baiiled.
Perhaps after all she did not ex-
pect enough from Jim. She knew
that he spent little money on her, yet
he certainly did not waste 1t on him
self either. k
That night when Jim called Hazel
was not quite herself and he felt a
peculiar constraint between them.
whats the matter. Hazel?" he
asked In alarm.
"N-nothing," she stammered.
Mabel's poisoned words were get
ting In their work, and suddenly In
a burst Of tears Hazel told him the
whole thing.
He, was very quiet while she was
talking. 5ffftf
Don't let what other folks say
worry you, honey. II you don't be-
lieye In me, all right"
"Oh, oh, Jim, don't talk like that !"
In frenzy she chung to him.
FLUSH now, you're all worked up.
Stop crying" he stroked her hair
gently and soon peace was restored.
But not her peace of mind. She re-
turned to the store next morning red
eyed and weary from lack of sleep.
Jim waited for her after working
hours as usual and as the days went
by an odd sort of friendship sprang
up between Mabel and Hazel.
Late one Saturday at the store
Jim Wilson called her up and syg-
gested that she and Mabel 60 out with
him the next day.
Sure, I'd be glad to come" said
Mabel. MY feller's out o. town, any
way"
Sunday came bright and fair.
Hazel was relieved to see that Jim
had abandoned his shabby overcoat
and was wearing a trim new one. As
they walked down the steps together
she noticed fine car standing at the
curb.
"Where'd you get it2" she asked.
Did you rent it,"
ASK me no questions" he quoted
as he helped her in.
They stopped at Mabel's place and
picked her up, then went whizzing
into the country.
He turned of the main road into
little gravel driveway that ran into
little brown garage
'This is where we get out"
He helped the girls out and they
all three sauntered toward the tiny
bungalow. Ramming his hand into
his pocket he found a key and opened
the front door.
"Jlmw Hazel exclaimed at last.
II thought we were going to see some
of your friends"
Just entertaining a friend" he said,
looking at Mabel.
On the dining room table we're
packages and bOxes-potato chips,
sandwiches, lemon pie and three
paper plates set with precision around
the edge. Besides one was a long
envelope with the words, Happy
birthday to my own little GIRL writ.
ten across the front and inside was a
deed to the little brown bungalow and
garage.
Hazel looked from the deed to her
tiance In Amusement
"It-it just isn't possible" she man.
aged to say at last as she threw her
arms around inns neck. And Mabel,
because she was good sport. said
without rnnc0r:
swell. your cocoon sure had swell