The Coolidge examiner., 1933-06-23
On Approval
BY ROSA 2. MARIONONI
G. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service


der her, her cheeks flushed, her
heart beating queerly; she wondered
If the two gowns which were to be
delivered on approval had preceded
her home; she hoped they had, and
wished they had not.
AS Meredith walked along sh> felt
conscious of two voices in her de-
batting the issue, which stood out be-
fore her. One thin, care-free voice
was saying: There is no harm in
your wearing the lace gown tonight.
Nothing will happen to it. Elmer
will be proud Of you before his
friends" And another voice, a wor-
ried little voice, was saying: What
if something should happen to the
gown while you wear it tonight and
Elmer should find out you are wear
ing dress which you do not intehd
buying? He is so scrupulously hon
est. he would never forgive such an
underhanded action on your part"
Tonight was the first time since
their marriage that Elmer had dared
invite Mr.. Sanders to his home. Mr..
Sanders was the district manager of
the company which employed Elmer.
When she had told Elmer about
her not having a dress fit to wear
at dinner, Elmer had quickly sug-
gested that she buy new one.
Il noticed in the paper that Lam
der's are having a SALE" Meredith
had said. Dinner dresses priced
at nineteen ninety-eight."
That very morning she had gone
shopping and while trying on some
of the dinner dresses priced at
$19.9S, the saleswoman had been
called away. AS Meredith waited
for her, she had noticed an exquisite
gown of blue lace over silver cloth
hanging on wall peg. She had
glanced at the size and price tag.
The gown was her size, but it was
marked fifty-nine dollars. An insid-
iOus thought had entered her mind.
Il could have this lace gown sent
home on approval, wear it tonight,
then return it."
When that evening the clock
struck six, Meredith stood before
her bedroom mirror gowned in lace
and silver. AS Elmer entered the
room to say that Mr.. Sanders had
arrived, he remained breathless,
looking at her.
"You look marvelousw he told
her. When they entered the little
drawing room, Meredith's heart felt
queerly cool as Elmer said with high
pride in his voice, "Mr. Sanders,
this is my wife"
How do you do" she smiled /;
and thought, II feel as if l were a
thief"
1t was about nine o'clock when
Elmer suddenly said: II think l
hear the baby crying" and jovially,
'Mr. Sanders, you must see our
baby! You must" Then turning
to Meredith, "Go and bring in the
little rascal. l want to show him
off" Meredith went to the bedroom.
The baby had stopped crying, she
took him gently in her arms, afraid
he'd crush her dress.
Mr.. Sanders proved interesting to
Bobby, for he had a gold watch
chain and sparkling spectacles. FL.
mer was beaming. Mr.. Sanders tried
to be gracious. Suddenly the baby
began to bob himself up and down
in Meredith's arms. Mr.. Sanders
spectacles had attracted his atten-
ton, his chubby hands reached
toward Mr.. Sanders face, the gentle.
man slanted backward. Better take
the baby back to bed," suggested Ell
mer.
AS Meredith turned away, the
baby gave one high-pitched cry, the
tiny fist closed about the mothers
lace bodice, tearing, pulling.
the child in her arms.
Time passed, the baby fell asleep
the young mother kept crying. WheI
Elmer tiptoed into his wife's bed
room, and gently touched her shoul
der, she looked up at him, her eyes
brimming with tears, her lips trem
bling, her face swollen from crying
what is the matter? You've beer
weeping" exclaimed Elmer.
"Oh, Elmer. look, the baby tore
the Dress"
Elmer sat beside his wife attempt
ing to console her, but the more he
tried to pacify her, the more she
clung to him and wept. Suddenly
she sank her head on his shoulder
and told him all, and when she hat
finished she was only conscious Of
Elmer kissing her and whispering
my poor little girl" Elmer felt &
protective pity toward his wife. Ht
told her he would fix matters. In the
morning he would go to the agent
and try to have his insurance pay
ment postponed a few months-El
mer was worried, but he did no
wish Meredith to know how much
Meredith rose to her feet, smiling
through the tears, opened the close
door. Look, here is the other gown