Evening star., 1933-08-25
INSTALLMNT XII.


LAIRE and Gwen kept their
4 promises not to let Mary know
BY word or look that there was
~ anything unusual about girl
her size modelling for Dumas.
Shrswdly. they treated her like long
lost sister, and helped her in every way
thew could to learn the ropes.
She had been disappointed the nrst
morning when Dumas said with dis
arming smile:
You will not be very busy this sea-
son. Only when one Of the petite movie
people your own size comes In to look
for things That will give you chance
to keep your eyes open and learn mucn
about the designing business"
Then Dumas led her into the hitting
room and introduced her to one OF her
assistant designers.
Marianne, she addressed the assist
ant. then put poSsessive hand on
Mary's shoulder, I want you to snow
Miss Sawyer everything you know. And
YOU may ask Marianne any questions
you wish. Mary. 1t will sort of be your
headquarters back here. Claire and
Gwen are always busy, for it Is most
often the tall woman who comes in to
buy Or women who wish to be tall
You see, it Is for us to make them
think they look tall like Claire and
Overland so we use the big manni-
kins"
Dumas spoke rapidly. explaining with
her small expressive hands. Mary had
a sinking feeling of disappointment,
which soon disappeared when she be-
came engroSSed in all that was going on
about her-the wealth of exquisite ma
terials, lovely colors. and the gay pan
of y,,oyyindor, foat acSaH in QnH
out before her eager eyes.
The days flew by like magic and
when. a week later, she received her
first pay envelope she opened it with
trembling fingers. Forty dollars! It
was a fortune How could she ever
thank Curt Little for making 1t pos
sible for her to find such happiness?
Late In the afternoon Dumas called
her to one of the small fitting rooms.
She held in her hands a dream of an
evening gown Of pale yellow chiffon
with Spanish wrap to match.
Come" Dumas got up excitedly, "try
this on. want to see how you wear
It,"
Mary slipped her negligee from her
shoulders. The models wore negligees
constantly SO they would be ready to
model gown at moments notice.
AASAS' Duiildo oLlilC0 WILL SlAP ~
on you-just so. It is my favorite gown
and wrap"
When Mary stepped back and looked
at herself in the long mirror she put
her hands to her face in little ges-
ture of joyful surprise:
"Oh-I-I didn't know I could look
Hke that Tits so beautiful it makes
me ache"
Dumas nodded her head knowingly.
you feel about clothes as do. You
will go far as a designer If you work
Mary. Few people understand what it
is to love the beauty of clothes until
in the wrap. Throw it across your
shoulder-so."
Dumas nodded approvingly. 1t was
amazing That a girl the size Of Mary
should have her queenly bearing and
talent for modelling lovely gowns. Only
one movie star had 1t. That was Lora
Swanton. who was almost exactly
Marys size.
Dumas stepped from the fitting room
and came back with several more out
fits over his arm. An exquisite pale
with short jacket to match, and a
semi-evening gown in an odd shade
of green.
Mary was in her seventh heaven as
she tried on the beautiful costumes and
listened to Dumas praise. But there
was dull ache in her heart when she
took the last lovely thing off and real
lied they were not hers. 1t was like
Cinderella turning into ragged little
chimney sweep after the ball.
She sighed with rueful little smile
Take them away before I steal
them. If I had anything half 30 lovely
I'd die with joy"
The prices at Dumas were so forbid
ding. Mary felt she could never save
enough to own even one Of the gowns.