The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1941-12-19

most unusual. Like a CLEAN OF sun
shine it had frightened the gloomy
prospect of a Christmas away from
home. To be sure. living with ones
step-aunt didn't make much of a
home, but even that was better than
the dismal, deserted campus and TIE
empty dormitory whose walls still
echoed with the jolly laughter Of de-
parting girls
And then had arrived this charm
ing note from one OF the univerSity'S
most attractive graduates:
my Dear Miss Gray:
1T VIII afford Us the greatest pos
sible pleasure to have you spend the
holidays with US. We are entertain
ing most informally and will expect
you Christmas Eve.
Cordially yours.
Marjorie Holden
Most informally,'' Jeans brow
cloudeu. Instinct told her that those
two words had been inserted to init
mate that her hostess did not expect
her TO come equipped with evening
gowns and opera capes. Only-Jean
mad so much less than that
I-can't-go," Jean winked back
unaccuStomed tears and stared hard
al picture on the wall in front Of
her. As her vision cleared she be
came aware that she was gazing at
the group photograph taken after
the last dramatic society play. What
fun she had had, For one brief
evening she had been star" and
worn truly becoming clothes
If only-Jean sat suddenly up
right with eyes that sparkled. IN
go to Mrs. Holden's and wear thos.
clothes!' she cried ecStatically.
Jeans inspiration was born of the
fact that the dramatic society had
issued recent edict. Clothes worn
in the annual plays were to b.
purchased and become the property
Of the organization and so be always
available for future performances
Jean was property mistress and held
the key to the wardrobe that con
tanned them.
If Mrs. Holden had not been
abroad when we gave 'Nancy's Eng
lish Cousin this little stunt might
have been impossible, unused Jean,
as the following day, she folded and
packed the smart little serge dress
she had worn in the third act. Three
changes there had been, noted re-
Spectively in the stage directions as
a one-piece serge" "a simple par
ty frock" and "a striking outdoor
Costume" Jean took all three.
Late Christmas eve found Jean
sinking blissfully to rest, prepared
to dream of the coming good times
with the jolly crowd which had met
ner so Hospitality at the station.
But the following morning at the
gay, holly-decked breakfast table
Mrs. Holden unsuspectingly turned
Jeans happiness to ashes. MY
brother, Jean, who came after you
had gone upstairs last night. Why.
you know each other!"
of course, we know each other!"
smiled Singularly attractive young
man. Il coached the play in which
Miss Gray played a demure little
English girl-and well do | remem-
Der her in the part"
Yes, it seemed that Cary Endi
colt, who had made ''Nancy's Eng
lish Cousin" the success it had been,
was Mrs. Holdens brother. Jean
had known him simply as the popu-
lar young assistant professor, from
a neighboring boys college. And he
remembered her we'll in the part
So, of course, he would remember
the "one-piece serge" and the 'Sim-
pie party frock" to saying nothing
of the striking outdoor costume!
1t seemed to her that she could
read his very thought; could imagine
him saying:
"Ah, yes, the young lady took ad-
vantage OF the fact that the girls
were away to tog herself out in stage
properties. How did she expect to
get away with it?"
But whatever the young mans in
ner thoughts. his outward attisde
was one that any girl might have
approved
On one of the very last days OF
vacation the crowd set out on snsw-
shoes across the hills. Cary had
managed matters so that he and
Jean Jagged far behind the others
Suddenly, in a snowy but sheltered
hollow, as the rest topped a distant
summit and disappeared. Cary
turned right about face and held
out his arms. Jean, darling, Will
you be my w%fe?" The abruptness
of his words did not rob them of eff
fectiveness.
Jean flushed furiously. "I-oh-
why, how can you-after-afte
these clothes?"
Assistant Professor Endicott's face
expressed nothing beyond utter mys-
tltcatlon. Then he shook his head
I'm afraid-maybe I'm dense,
but"
And Jean had to explain. her slim
hands Cienching themselves within
the odd little English muff which
was part of her striking outdoor
costume"
When she had finished Cary Just
stood for a moment regarding her