The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-14
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

VI LQe S1A gus ~
Bill and Gayle, only two possessed
evening dresses, and theirs were
somewhat outdated, Gayle
guessed.
1--WE must all look our incest
for the ball." Gayle told the 9TH
ers. Fortunately we do not have
much changing of costumes to do
for the first act in 10 minutes,
and l am going to hire six or eight
little boys I know to herd the
crowd from one place to another
that evening. Well dress them
as wood sprites Of brownies or
something, in keeping with the out
door setting. But the girls-all Of
us-must look our prettiest, so we
will get evening gowns and charge
it to expenses"
The thought was thrilling.
Two of the six 'Merrifield girls
had eve owned any sort of for
NAL attire. All of them welcomed
the opportunity to get new things.
They discussed the matter with
Gayle and learned, after some in
vestigation, that simple, yet def
nitely pretty gowns, could be had
for about S35 each. This would in
clude a few essential trimmings.
The total cost of about $3.50 did
seem like a great deal of money
to Gayle. She shopped and looked
and figured and figured, but she
couldn't see any way to cut 10
down. She knew the girls had to
be dressed well that evening"; the
type of guests coming would make
that mandatory, as would tn e
whole tradition of the Oaks. And
she did not feel that it was fair to
ask the girls to pay $35 from their
own salaries she herself had no
salary to draw from.
Finally she decided to risk it.
The girls had a veritable picnic
choosing. Most of their selections
were based on white-girlish, frilly
materials with assorted bits of
color. The other six girls Ill
ganged up on Lola Montesa, how
ever, and saw to it that she had
a remarkable gown of crimson
lace, silk, over a similarly colored
slip.
You do your hair so beautifully,
Lola DEAR" Gayle said, 80 that
it forms a sort of black frame
or background for your face. Use
some makeup that matches the
slip in tint. And on your nails.
But the rest of us will all hate
you'll"
Gayle told the girls each to add
a hair-do and manicure to the ex-
pense list for that day, and mex
pensive but pretty new shoes.
When they were back at The
Oaks again, Gayle went immedi-
ately upstairs to Mr.. Merrifield' ,
study, asked to see him and then
told him what she had done. She
was quietly apologize, saying she
hoped that he wouldn't think them
Wasteful, and that they would
surely make more than enough
money out Of the play to pay ex-
penses.
Old Mr.. Merrifield smiled be.
nignly. Then, in an instant his ex.
preston changed to the one oil
mock ferocity he loved to assume.
Mr.. Weems!" he beloved loud.
ly. Come in here at once! Dc
you hear me, sir?"
"Oh, of course, sir!" The elderly
secretary fastened in from an ad.
joining office. He looked mildly
alarmed.
MIR. Weems, I am ashamed o
you. How long, sir, has it beer
since you purchased flowers fol
any Woman?"
Mr.. Weems' old mouth worked
silently, then-"W-woman, sir?"
Eyes, woman! Of course I sale
woman! Don't you know what {
woman is?"
ooh, of course, sir! A woman
is"
II thought not. Mr.. Weems, con
fer with Miss Dixon, and orde
flowers for each of the seven CIR!
in this house. You hear me?" H
scowled fiercely. THE best flow
ers available, Mr.. Weems. For tn
night of the, all, drama, and o.
ball. Put cards in each packag
saying-saying-"From your ad
pEI (.AI1Dn