Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-01-20
CHAPTER

Renita went to the lingerie depart
ment to see Ann. They must decide
on the bridesmaids outfit. Miss Shell
fish had lovely, Springlike dresses in
starched chiffon-a new consignment
in this morning-Ann might select one
1T liberal discount.
well drop in at the Fashion
Show this afternoon in the Misses
Dresses" said Ann, "I've a model
showing lingerie and negligees. Meet
me there at three, will you, Renita 2"
Fright" She drew closer to Ann.
Lowering her voice she asked her
what on earth the rumors flying
around the store meant? It wasn't
possible that because the other had
had to take a mark-down in some
merchandise, she'd been asked to re-
sign from her job? Impossible?
"Come into the Negligee Salon for
a moment, Renita, and I'll give you
the facts" Ann told Of her interview
with Mr.. Weiss that morning, the
results of which were indeterminate,
but that probably she would get her
congo on the coming Friday if she
couldn't give a feasible explanation
Of the rival store so completely I'M
derselling her in that line OF lingerie.
Unfortunately, she had ordered very
large consignment. She was stuck.
(which rival store? Why don't
the fools make their own investiga-
toni"
ooh, Mr.. Weiss is much too busy,
and besides he seems to have 1t In
for me on another account, as well.
It's something more than my having
made an error in judgment in buying.
Rut he won't come out in the open and
say what it is"
"Mean little rat! Probably he's an
noyed because you came with recon-
oendation from old Tom Barclay, his
more or less sleeping partner, who's
really dyed-in-the-wool society, where
as Herman is quite the opposite"
"But his family are terribly social
minded" said perplexed. "I'm afraid
one of my sisters foolishly snubbed
his daughters about getting tickets
for a charity card-party held in the
hotel where they're living. They were
very angry, and, in sense, with reas-
On. OF course, my sister didn't know
their connection with my job"
Renita seemed to be bordering hesl-
tating. She didn't wish to hurt AIMS
feelings, yet she wished to help her
in her dilemma, for didn't she owe
Gordon, the retention of her job these
many weeks, her renewed health re-
covered beauty, in very large meas
ure to the generosity of the younger
girl?
"You know forewarned's fore arm
Cd" she began. Don't bite my nose
off when 1 tell you that dear open
hearted Herman is probably thinking
you're getting a nice rakeoff from
OIHallahan, the silk manufacturer
who. by the way, was mildly counting
Becky, his beloved daughter, before
you up and copied him"
"Good gracious! are you crazy! Inc
mans nothing in my life!"
"Of course he isn't" said Renlta'
"but the Lord knows what Brenda
SELF has spread around until It's
reached the ears of Herman. Fur
thermore, it's the suspicion OF graft
that's the big rub. That's the worst
of being a buyer plus being young
and pretty and successful"
Ann interrupted hotly: 1--WE never
taken a penny from anyone, Rental
"Nobody thinks you have, my DEAR
with the possible exception of Brenda
and the boss"
"Do you mean-Mr. Bradley?"
Did that account for his voiced opin-
ion on women being unreliable-play-
ing with fire-not meeting men square
" on their own ground? He thought
she was being paid by Tim O'Hallahan
for her orders! Ann felt she could
die of humiliation, even while she hat
ed him for the injustice.
"Why, no, you silly girl! Paul
Bradley's as square as they come!
Would he have promoted you SO rapid
" if he hadn't full confidence IN
you? But he's probably being bull
ragged by Herman"
Ann remembered that the merchan-
dise-manager had told her: "Mr
Weiss is temperamental. He gets
exaggerated notions in his head as
to the reasons motivating his excu,
lives d. his suspicious run ahead OF