The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-11-03

~ III Hluu Luz years.
Doesn't it occur to you that you are
likely to come in contact with some
very undesirable people?" Lucy asked.
Certainly" said Smif. "almost sure
to, in fact; and, looking on the bright
side, why not some very desirable
ones as>well? At all events, they'll be
new, and pine for novelty after years
of Cintra's monotonous beauty Why,
girls, I'll meet women-and men too
who've not led our cramped little lives,
all crowded against our neighbors and
their prejudices lilzespot-bound plants
without room to grow-and who'll be
none the worse for that, although they
may have their own troubles. / hon
estly believe that what l have to sell
them will be worth all I'll ask"
"But what have you to sell?" Lucy
walled. "Please tell me that much"
Comfort and common sense" Sniff
replied without hesitation, worth
every penny they'll pay me. And
now I'm going. leaving my reputation
for sanity behind me. Good-by, you
dears. Don't worry more than you
have to-"
When the elevator door closed be-
hind her Lucy exhaled audibly, as If
she had been holding her breath.
well! This business of losing Gin
ira has affected her brain. To pro-
tect her, she ought to be shut up"
Don't be silly" Louise, under
stress, asserted herself strongly.
"Smif's as sane as you. Don't you
agree with me, Laura?"
II agree that Smif's perfectly sane,
not that I wouldn't try to have her
restrained if thought it either neces-
sary or any use. 1t isn't, Lucy, so
put that idea out of your head. More
over it's my opinion you'll be safe in
following my example and just not
worrying. l don't believe there's any
thing to worry about. Consider what
she proposes to sell. Comfort and
common sense Who in all the world
would pay a penny for either of
those?"
Susan Phelps, whose wealth and in
fluence were both great, was Smif's
most enthusiastic sponsor and adj
wiser. She had experience of Smif's
influence in calming Charles twitter-
ing nerves. Her Charles, to whom she
was persuaded she was devoted, was
tiresome, repetitious, nagging little
man with the kindest heart in the
world and, now that Pam was of mar
occupied to listen to his reiterated COM
plants and conjectures. Smif was as
sured from the start of substantial
sum from consultations with Charles
Phelps.
Sniff had arranged to sublet her old
apartment and rent for herself two
rooms with toy kitchenette in the
Badminton, an apartment hotel on
Madison avenue, where she would need
no servant and could be served such
meals as she desired.
She had told her sisters the literal
truth when she had said that the gown
she wore was the only good day dress
she possessed. Since it was useless
for anybody with her figure to attempt
to shop in the ordinary department
stores, sheer necessity directed her
steps to a Fifth avenue dressmaker
who had contributed very satisfactor-
lily to her niece's trousseau.
Madame Georgette, who swept out to
meet her, greeted her formally. Madame
Georgette's French ended with her
name She was Irish, with large
heart and a fine flair for the next fash
ion in clothes.
MADAME requires" she began ele-
gantly, instead of with the usual shop
formula: "Can help your" Then,
seeing who her customer was, she
changed her tone: you're always
sight for sore eyes, Miss Lovely, and
these days mine are strained looking
for luck. 1 hope it's trousseau
you're wantin' for yourself this time"
"Not a chance of it," Sniff laughed.
81 just want one frock, durable and
reasonable"
"rll make it as reasonable as
can. 1 don't mind telling you I'm glad
to have anything to keep the work
rooms busy. What it costs me and no
more, if you find model that suits
you, and 1 think I've just the right
thing"
A couple of girls received orders to
dress and while she waited, Sniff
talked casually.
as business really so bad?' she
asked.
"'Tis useless for me to try to hide
it when we've only to look around ye,"
Madame Georgette answered. 'The
bottom of me purse is stickin' out of
the top. Not that l haven't made
money-it was comm in hand over fist
before this contagious disease got into
the stock market. Then one after an
other me customers lost fortunes or
was afraid they might. took lease
on the three lower floors of this build
ing when everything was on the up
an up, an that's why I've more room