Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-23

GOOD bye. Mrs. Bride, and thank
GOOD bye, my Teddy, and thank
you"
So that was that, and it was all
over and Miss Croy stepped briskly
out and did not look behind.
At the big table in the Coronation
Restaurant the rules Of precedence
were strictly observed as at any Am
bassadorial banquet: on Madames
right sat Miss Pointer on her left Miss
Dawlish, head of the showroom; the
foot was taken by Mrs James, the
cutter, and in between were ranged
seven girls and the tiny hatcher.
Thank heaven I haven't to worry
about them" thought Miss Croy, OBJ
serving the cheerful faces for the
girls were going an together into the
Womens Auxiliary Air Force, Miss
Pointer intended to train as a nurse,
the beautiful and languid Miss Daw-
fish was simply getting married, and
Mrs. James had been snapped up by
a producing dress factory. Even
the hatcher had found herself in de-
mand: she was going to be a Mothers
Help to a very nice lady with four
children
II am the only one unprovided for,
thought Miss Croy, lending a polite
ear to the glories Of the Dawlish trous-
seau. The catalogue of nightgowns
and panties flowed steadily on, the
whole table was genuinely and profess
sionally interested, and Miss Croy was
able TO spare moment for the dis
- orq0rfr4o~oNirv, Of Ior
prospects
They struck her as poor She was
As, and looked 10 years younger, but
with a heart that fluttered and paused
at any physical exertion. The inces- |
SAINT work that had gone to build up
her business had been possible only |
on certain condition: a rest every aft !
ernoon, for example, frequent taxis, |
a constant outstanding of strength:
the obvious forms of war work in mu-
milton factory. or hospital. or govern
ment office, were simply out of the {
question
She was an excellent woman of bus
mess and a brilliant designer, but
these now seemed to be peace-time as
sets only. She was essentially an ex-
ecutive, and the thronging new organi-
cations wanted not executives of As,
but husky young 20-year-olds ready
to run about and obey orders
you look tired, Madame" said kind
Miss Pointer.
Il am, a little" admitted Miss Croy,
She would have given much to be able
10 order champagne, but the work
room girls were too young. When do
you start your training?" she asked.
on Monday? You viii find it a great
change"
Il expect I shall" agreed Miss Pom
ter cheerfully. But we've got to do
our bit And I'm looking forward to
it: there1l be lots of other girls start
ing, and I've always been one to make
friends"
Whereas l." thought Miss Croy,
have not" Acquaintance, yes-hun-
dreds of them: in business, in the
theater. among the gay elegant party
On her taste; but for friendship she
had always been too fastidious, too
aloof, and above all too busy. Ger
.ainly too busy for love. The building
up, and then successful running. of
Alaison MaSque, had fully occupied
ler. Maison MaSque had been her
over and her friend and her family
md her life.
st am widowed" thought Miss Croy,
but left comfortably off"
1t was true; she had modest in
.ome, the fruit Of the last 10 years
caring profits. She wouldn't starve
BUT Maison Masque was dead, and she
cit as though the table should have
,een spread with funereal baked meats.
1t was spread. In actuality. with the
.mpty dishes Of IL peach melbas, now
living place to IL cups Of coffee. Miss
aonter caught the eyes Of Miss Daw-
ish and Mrs. James, and suddenly
apped on the table with her spoon.
MADAME, and ladies" began Miss
'onter.
('She's going to make a speech. This
5 dreadful" thought Miss Croy)
Before we all part-before we all