Evening star., 1939-04-23

take you for a tloorwalker just because
. you're tall and don't wear a hat, you know
Ut s a strain On the disposition.
Yet Bud McQuarrie's brown young face
still beamed friendliness on the crowd scuffng
around the elevators of Blum & Whitaker's
department store, in spite of the further facts
that he was practically broke, and the older
! fraternity brother who had promised to meet
him here and maybe help him to job was
already fifteen minutes overdue.
Il beg your pardon =" Lordy, another
one. Though it was nice soft voice, Bud was
frowning as he turned But his brow cleared
magically.
The girls oval face was shaded by an
a21ing hatbrim, and shiny black hair curled
out over her shoulders. The face, Bud thought,
was like an ivory miniature.
II want to return .ome things said the
girl. Where do find the adjustment desk.
please:" There was troubled CLINT in her
very blue eyes
Bud opened his mouth to explain, but
changed his mind Why not? Impulse still cut
major figure in Bud McQuarrie' young life.
He reached out and began taking the pack
ages from her arms.
I'm show you the way" he said. you're
!6Setty much loaded down." After all, Austin
.,ell was now seventeen minutes late and
probably not coming, the heel
! Why thank you" When she smiled, one
blue eye squinted narrower than the other,
an odd, smallgirl smile that made something
give little Ping" in the left side of Buds
chest, like an automobile motor spark
knocking on hill He would overhear her
name and address at the adjustment depart
ment, he reflected.
Two minutes later, in one of string of
tiny cubcles on the fifth floor, Bud piled the
girls parcels on the desk of vinegary-faced
woman with black bangs and bowl-cut bob.
The desk bore the name, Mrs. Wofford.'
He waited for the girl to speak. But she
looked at him instead.
WHY not? Bud had forgotten his own prob
lens by now, and was really enjoying himself.
"Ah - this young lady wants to return a
few purchases" he told the woman briskly.
"She is Miss - ah ="
Day" said the girl Bethany Day. 6l7
Stevens Avenue.
The woman wrote it down without interest,
while Bud helped unwrap parcels.
Mrs. Wofford frowned at the growing heap
- silk stockings, cerise sweater, strap shoes,
twoslk dresses.
What's wrong with them?" she demanded.
why. nothing" said Bethany Day. Il -
er - find don't want them.
The woman picked up sales slip. Her
frown deepened. October 18th. These things
were bought week ago. We have three-day
limit for returned goods
Bethany Day wide eyes grew wider
Why - it IS a week, at other stores.
"fou must return lot of things, COM
mented Mrs. Wofford There's too much of
that Mr. kilgore cut the time down to three
DAYS when he took over this department..
Bethany Day looked at Bud. He leaned
over the desk Il say. Mrs. Wofford. this
young lady is a good customer. We can't be
stickers over few extra days.
Mrs. Wofford stared at him beadily. Il
don't seem to place you" she stated.
Bud looked astonished. I'm Mr..
McOuarrie," he said in an injured tone.
From the main fooT."
oh" Mrs Wofford was vaguely apollo
petic. Its such big store. haven't every
: body placed yet
That's quite all right said Bud mag
..D,,+ about Mice Tlav Wo have