The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-25

could do 1t, actually so that Alice could go to the Elks' ball. Well, either Mona would go as she was or not at all. Steve would have to understand that. Mrs Moran opened the door and let Mona into the little fiat redo lent with frying pork chops and warmth. Ma was expansive with in- nocent gossip. Mrs Casey had been over during the afternoon. Mary was going with that fellow who kept books in her office, the, tall one they had seen coming out of the motion picture show. Genevieve was taking tap dancing and would | teach Kitty. Alice had phoned. She was we'll and would run down some afternoon soon to bring Mins dress
 all alarmed, back with her. The run from 245th street sound ed more casual than it would turn out to be, Mona knew, The dress, most likely, would remain in Alice's possession until Mona herself could go for it. We'll, it didn't matter. Poor Alice she had little enough to. look for ward to.
 And your dress came back from the cleaners. Or maybe it was your suit or whatever you were after sending. I didn't open it. was at the telephone. Bud wont be back for supper. He's working | night" Mas soothing voice | trailed on.
 So Bud had landed that job! Il brought Dads treatment nearer ii Bud would work and stay home and help run the household. The suit from the cleaners! Mona didn't recall sending anything this week.
 The sight awaiting her in the
 dreary little bedroom occupied by herself and Kitty made Mona blink. Lucky that Ma hadn't opened it! As Ma would have ex- pressed it, the contents would have given her good faint for herself. Cleaners indeed! The box was from Pilgrims. Mona would have known that smart lavender con- tainer anywhere. A huge lavender box, criss- crossed with darker law ender ribbons. A box spelling luxury, mystery, perfection. its mistake" stammered Mona to herself, fumbling for the tag.
 But there was no mistake about the box. The inscription said plain ly, Miss Minnie Moran, East 67th street,
 There was no other Moran at this address. Even if there had been
 Pilgrims would hardly have been her emporium.
 Perhaps Lottie had picked up a
 bargain for her, though that
 was unlikely. The models did not send their furtive purchases out In
 expensive firms. boxes!
 '"Flowers came from that scam p, no doubt, who bought the oranges Ma was saying good humoredly. "I put them in the ice box. A nice handful, says I, to take up to the old mani"
 Dazed, Inhearing. Mona lifted the cover of the box. On top of the silken tissues lay square laven- der note addressed in a hand which after all these months Mona was to
 recognize at Henri's.
 Dear Miss Moran" the note be-
 gan, please accept these trifiing appointments in the spirit in which
 they are offered. When ask a
 young lady to play part even for an evening. like all good stage man
 agers, insist on selecting the
 wardrobe as well as it's setting.
 For both must do justice to the leading lady. Steve"
 Steve indeed! Henri had written that note but Steve had put him up to 1t.
 Mona lifted the grayish green chiffon gown from its wrappings was the right word. Her practiced to the frock. She could see the line view to the waistline, trailed the unevenly cut straps over her shoul- ders and the front neckline close could wear that line - and Mona was one of the few.
 The gown swirled and draped about the slender hips in the fa- nous Patou line. Midway on the left thigh it formed a cup, to bal ance the fold on the opposite shoul- OGT. lL GAQGu HI IAAC AC6AOAA O% AASA heels, in foamy chiffon, shading to white.
 There was gossamer combina.. ton, cobweb, shoe, and slippers of silver. They had cost - dear Heaven! the entire outfit was worth untold sums!
 .,
 Mona caught her breath and lift ed the last fold of tissue. She caught 1t and grew paler. There lay q coat of ermine. against which her hair would gleam like flower shaped in bronze.
 She grew weak at the knees. At last she would be dressed as she had loneed. as every woman longs to be gowned.
 But of f-course She couldn't take all this from Stevei He meant 1t well enough. Mona was certain of that. But she couldn't take 1t. even for single evening. She would have to tell him when he came. Hanging the gorgeous gown and