The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1941-01-25
SELLING
OUT!
81
By JANE OSBORN
Mcclure Syndicate-WNU Service.)


Mcpherson said to Rose Hope that
she thought they'd close the shop
for the morning on Wednesday.
They're selling out at Erick's,",
she told Rose, "and I want to get
lot of things-like to do it before
the things are picked over. The only
appointment had was a permanent
for Mrs. Clair-and she said she'd
just as soon have it in the evening"
Rose had changed from her white
uniform to her trim little blue street
frock and stood before one of the
mirrors in Madame McPherson's
beauty shop smoothing down her soft
brown hair Maybe I'll go to
Erick's too. Aunt Sue gave me a
hundred dollars for my birthday-to
buy some clothes. Maybe I'll spend
little of that"
"I'll tell you what I'll do" said
Madame Mcpherson, vigorously ap-
plying the powder puff to her round,
rosy cheeks. 'I'll call around a
little before nine for you with my
car and take you down."
So it was agreed, and Rose and
her buxom employer were waiting
the next day at the entrance of
Bricks store when the doors opened
for the first day of the sale.
Rose started in the basement-just
to see the bargains, all spread out
on tables and counters with $1.98, or
$7.56, STA or &c written on large
signs in the center. The old price
tags were left on the various articles
offered for sale, so you could see for
yourself just what tremendous bar
gains you were getting. There were
some cleaning white enamel sauce
pans and double boilers on one of
the tables that were selling far be-
low the usual price and after Rose
had visited all the tables in the base
ment she decided that she could
save money if she bought some of
these utensils.
Laden with her awkward bundle
she got out of the crowd and went
back upstairs and out to Madame
McPherson's car where she put the
things safely in the back seat. Then
she went back She noticed the
large crowd gathered round the
table-linen counter. When it was
her turn she purchased two small
dinner sets, and three sets of run
ners. Why, just on that purchase
alone, Rose quickly figured, she was
saving four dollars and thirty-nine
cents. So Rose spent an hour and
half in Erick's store and when at
last she and Madame Mcpherson
met in the car the whole back sec
ton was fairly well filed with
Roses purchases.
What did you get, honey?" said
Madame Mcpherson. Then she
turned to the things Rose had bought
and saw the handle of white sauce
pan and the end of a carpet sweeper.
''Say-what did you get those things
for? You're boarding" Then she
laughed. Say, you must be going
to be married and you never told
me-
Rose looked confused as she and
Madame Mcpherson settled down in
the front seat, but she felt that she
must somehow explain.
Honestly, I'm not engaged" she
said. "Only-well, they were such
bargains 1 couldn't miss them.
Maybe I'll give them away
You're an awful fool not to get
married" said her employer as they
drove on. THAT is if you've got a
good steady fellow that wants you
and 1 dare say there are plenty"
While she was eating her meager
clearinghouse luncheon she was
called to the telephone. 1t was from
Walter Drew, who sometimes got up
courage to call her, knowing that he
could find her in at this time.
Hello, Rose" he said in a rather
discouraged tone, Il don't suppose
you'd want to go out with me to-
night. I've had that secondhand
car l bought all fixed up. 1t looks
like a thousand dollars-and it's a
nice night. Come out for a little
spin with me and I'll promise not to
talk to you the way did the last
time. Honestly, Rose. It's such
nice day and l thought maybe you'd
enjoy it." 1t was clear from Wal
ter's tone that he was quite prepared
for a curt refusal of his invitation.
To his surprise Rose said: ''I'm
awfully glad you asked me. I'd
love to go, not so much for the
ride as just to see you"
The next morning when Rose was
putting on her white uniform at the
beauty parlor Madame Mcpherson
did not notice the queer little twinkle
in her eyes and the warm glow in
her cheeks. "Say, Rose" she said,
81 was talking to a girl at the cafe
terra where l went to get bite TO
eat last night before l did that per-
manent. She said everything was
sold out in the household depart
ments before three in the afternoon.
And she was awfully disappointed she
didn't get there in time. She's going
to get married-and she told me
she'd be glad to take anything you
had off your hands | told her about
the enamel things and the carpet
sweeper and that you wanted to get