The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-05-13
Fringes Of Gold
BY EDNA WALTERS
@ Associated Newspapers.
WNU Service.
By EDNA WALTERS

- warmth of the great hall as she
stood waiting. 1t must be very
pleasant to live in a home like that.
And, when she followed the maids
black silk frock into the gold-and-
white elevator, her sense of luxuri-
GUS well-being increased. No one
would guess that the outside world
was wrapped in snow and that the
bitterness of the cold wind cut
harshly.
"You may 60, Minette," directed
the blue-eyed mistress of the rose
suite. When her maid had gone
Alice Grant regarded the waiting
Joan with grave intentness. 81
had a reason for telling Madam
Jerrold to send you with my gown.
Do you like to go to the theater?"
Eyes, I 60, sometimes" she re-
piled.
II have a ticket for 'Fringes of
Gold for tonight. 1 expected to go
with a girl chum who has disap-
pointed me. I'll give it to you on a
condition"
"YeS?" murmured Joan.
THAT you pretend you are me.
You resemble me in your general
appearance, blue eyes, dark hair
and slimness. l want my evening
to myself and I'm announcing to the
household that I'll be at the Bijou
theater. You needn't mind the SUBJ
terfuge, which harms no one. In
fact" the blue eyes grew mysteri-
Gus, "the gift to me of three hours
will bring a great happiness to two
people"
Joan pondered. Evidently this
pampered girl longed for the free
dom the poor enjoyed. The mas
querade, as Alice Grant pointed out,
a harmless exchange of identities.
Minette smiled demurely as she
slipped the gay little gown of sap
phire velvet over the marcelled head
of the shop-girl. Minette was in the
secret and would accompany the
pseudo Miss Grant down to her wait
ing car. AS Joan took a last peep
at herself, smuggling her chin into
the silver fur of her splendid wrap,
she fancied she saw mans face
staring at her from the doorway.
She wheeled about but the space
between the curtains was empty. All
the way to the theater she tried to
decide whether the sparkling, skep-
teal eyes in the white face of a man
had been real or just figment of
her excited brain.
She sank into her seat in the sew
enth row with a subdued gasp of
absolute enjoyment.
Someone took the vacant seat at
her left but she failed to notice for
she was living the role of Daphne
Davis, the star.
Passing up the aisle, her soul still
dazzled by enjoyment, hand
dropped upon her shoulder.
Come to the Office said a harsh
voice, one of authority.
Whitening, she obeyed.
"You are not Alice Grant, are
your"
She remained mute.
miss Grant has been robbed of
pearls. We find you here in her
seat, wearing her gown and" the
cold tone hesitated, then finger
touched the string of pearls that
Joan had supposed to be imitation,
just lent her to enhance the velvet
frock, wearing her pearls. Have
you anything to say?"
''Take me to Miss Grant" cried
Joan.
impossible. If you've anything
to say, say it. Otherwise it's Jail for
you. Where did you get her gown"
Joan swayed. Then bit her lips
and got herself in hand. She'd CIV
en- her word and she would not break
it. She'd had her night of nights.
Dressed for the first time in years as
she wished, occupying a good seat
at the beautiful theater, she'd en-
tered fairyland. 1--WE nothing to
say" she said, lifting her head to
meet the sparkling skeptical eyes
of the man in the mirror.
The little room was empty except
for the two of them. .
Dick Grant held out his hand.
Come, my sister is out in the car
waiting. 1t was a mean trick, but,
Joan Winters, you've given me
something l never thought to pos
sess-faith in a woman's word. Alice
wants to marry for love and
laughed at her. l told her there
was no loyalty in the world. l said
if she could prove her stand that
/ would give my consent"
eyes," said Joan, flushing be-
meath the ardor she read in his face.
"Then l may go? I'll return her
frock tomorrow.
He slipped the fur wrap about
her. mo. You are to come home
with us tonight and let us make up
to you for what we did. And, little
JOAN" he added, bending as they
passed out into the snowy night,
"you are going to let me prove to
you that there is romance left in
this drab old world" "Fringes of
Gold" had given Joan some happy
hours and the romance of the mimic
scenes became woven with the real
emotions of life for, just three
months later che becanoa kTrc