The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-23
. SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
By LOUISE HOLMES
Copyright. 1910. NEA Service. Inc


ness executives and their clerks.
When Steve received the announce
ment OF the ball. il had occurred
TO him that Ann would be much
impressed. that she would think
he was really taking her some
where, that she was meeting
society.
I'm sorry" she said. I've al
ready accepted an invitation to the
Athens club party"
Steve suffered a severe shock.
Look" he said. you don't have
to lie to me. II you haven't got
the clothes TO wear I'll see that
you get them"
Thank you. I buy my own
clothes"
Says this on the level-are
you going to the hop?"
Yes. Will you call the waiter
and ask for another saucer Of
coffee ?"
Steve insisted on driving her to
the Center. He promised to keep
well within the law. He offered
to return for her at any stated
offer. She declined, explaining that
creative zeal might keep her there
indefinitely, that the dawn might
find her still bent over the sewing
machine.
She went to the sewing room
and instantly forgot Steve. Max
ing an evening gown, an evening
gown that would pass muster at
the Athens club party, one that
would make Paul proud. was an
absorbing task. Ann unfolded the
material breathlessly. It was
white. shimmering gold thread
woven in and out through the
length. At irregular intervals the
pattern showed slight inclina-
ton to veer off. The defect was
only noticeable when the light
shone across it in a certain way.
1t had been enough of a defect,
however, to Danish it from the
place of fine fabrics, and Ann had
picked it up for practically nothing
at a basement counter. Ignoring
the yagaries of the design, she
gloried in the richness of the ma
terial. Her cheeks grew rosy as
she cut and sewed and fitted the
lovely thing to her more lovely
linas.
I'm going to be 81 short on
my budget" she thought, but l
don't care. Just this once, I don't
care"
She made a little slip of rayon
it had the sheen of taffeta. She
bought gold slippers that had once
pinched the toes of a more fortu-
nate girl. The Italian let her have
them for 81 as he had no call for
gold slippers with rhinestone heels.
She could have cried over them
because they were so beautiful.
Mrs. Toilets third floor was
in an uproar on the night of the
party. The twins showed Ann the
latest dance steps, Clara offered
her array of 10-cent-store bangles.
Florabelle came across the hall
with a black MORE evening wrap.
Myrtle stood against the wall in
awed silence.
Ann had washed her own hair
and set the natural wave. 1t was
soft and lustrous. 1t hung loosely,
the curls swung when she moved
her head. She had manicured her
own nails and painted them with
shell pink. When she slid the white
and gold dress over her head and
let the folds fall around the gold
slippers, she had her first taste
of real bliss.
The gown was a masterpiece Of
rti stry. 1t was plain-Clara
thought it much too plain-it had
long, lovely body lines. AIMS back
and shoulders were flawless, her
bare arms would have made
sculptor sigh with delight. Her
eyes were dazzlingly bright, her
red mouth tremulous with hap
piness.
Looking in the mirror. Ann had
a moment of wistful doubt. Was
it to be a Cinderella evening or
another disappointment?
ITO Be Continued)