The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-25

! cuSe Tor decInlng the invitation.
Lottie, working as a model, was
able 70 pick up many a gown at
bargain. Her supply was unlimited
But Mona hardly could borrow
from Lottie tonight, after turning
down definitely Lotties invitation
for the evening.
No, the black dress would have
to do. Then she recalled that she
/ had sent the dress to Alice, osten-
sibly TO be darned as only Alice
could do it, 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 redolent
with frying pork chops and warmth.
Ma was expansive with innocent
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. Geneyieye was taking tap
dancing and would teach Kitty.
Alice had phoned. She was well
and would run down some after
noon soon to bring Minis dress, all
darned, back with her.
n Il
I TINE run from 245th street sound
Il ed more casual than it would
turn out to be, Mona knew. The
dress, most likely, would remain in
Alice's possession until Mona her
self could go for it.
Well, it didn't matter. Poor Alice
she had little enough 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.
Il was at the telephone. Bud
won't be back for supper. He's
working tonight" Mas soothing
voice trailed on.
So Bud had landed that job 1t
brought Dads treatment nearer if
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 expressed it,
the contents would have given her
a 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, crisis crossed with darker Law
ender ribbons A box spelling lux
uary, perfection.
IT'S 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
iOlAIy -SSN6HJIl SJTPPJ.
There was no other Moran at this
address. Even if there had been,
Pilgrims would hardly have been
her emporium.
4 DERHAPS Lottie had picked up a
l. bargain for her, though that
was unlikely. The models did not
send their furtive purchases out in
expensive firms boxes!
Flowers came from that scamp
no doubt, who bought the oranges"
Ma was saying good humoredly, Il
put them in the ice box. A nice
handful, says I, to take up to the
old mani"
Dazed, unhearing, Mona lifted the
cover of the box On top of the
silken tissues lay square laven-
der note addressed in hand which
after all these months Mona was to
recognize at Henri's.
Dear Miss Moran" the note be-
gan, please accept these trifing
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
ayers, I insist on selecting the
wardrobe as we'll as its 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 it.
Mona lifted the grayish green
chiffon gown from its wrappings
and held it before her. Smooth
was the right word.
Her practiced eye already had
poured herself into the frock. She
could see the line which brought
her back into full view to the waist