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Show liiiJ 6AliT Being, the Story of the Girl lxAJyiii bU 1 L Al jrjuuiu, JULi 11, iL 'Xci, With, the Passion over-som- e' dream'ot for Dress' , "I asked how much It was. Thirty-fivguineas to copy!" Over the big cleared table the manager gave her another very swift look. laughed ruefully. e No. She was not hinting. Such a possibility would not have occurred to her. She was well bred; --nnocent, too, to silliness. Frocks! Blush colored tulle, light as dawn vapor, spangled with silvery showers; voluptuous velvet of midnight blue, fleeced by cloudiest gray chinchilla, brooched by one brilliant star; suave satin and frail georgette, united and kissing into life a creation of mingled Jade and ivory; yes, a green gleaming wave With a crest of foam to drip from the shoulders of the nymph who should dive into this perfect frock. Ah, if Dolly could have these and all the frocks she wanted! They were ail she did want Some are obaeased by tbe craving for alcohol; some for drugs. With some the passion for clothes is as ardent, whether or not It be gratified. With Dolly it remained un gratified. Now, many girls can look well In cheap clothes, Dolly could not Her lissome form cried aloud- - for the costly plainness of the French line, '(her girls have personality that outshlnea they could put on. Not so Dolly. Her, small, fair. Indetery minate face could light under ths touch of passion and frocks were the only paseton she knew. She just knew that she could be transformed by the right clothes, even as an uninteresting landscape Is trana-- ' formed into paradise by the fall of snow. And the craving had grown even since her work, had lain in a positive fairyland .of frocks. Hanging In serried rainbow ranks ' behind the great glass panels, or sea out on the stands, or displayed by the mannequins as they stepped delicately across the showrooms, the beheld, dally just the clothes for which she longed. So near; so far! Back In her dream, forgetting that she bad as listener a middle aged business with purposeful attention In hla .eyes," the girl babbled on as n girl babbles of her latest Jova An angel of a little dark blue serge coat Crock that came over from Paris this morning. (I went up at lunch time to look at the new consignment.) This one was so aim pie.- - But, 0! O, tbe cut o t it! And its got an adorable little black belt andjriack buttons down the outer edge of the eleetves and touches of black beaderlee Just where youd never expect them, but where you know they have to he, once you've seen them! It's a frock you could wear all day and every day without getting tired of it, because you'd know it always looked exactly right And Fd been saving up for a new offles frock." "Well?" put in the manager, with 'that silky benevolence " I know the little model you mean. I thought it looked like you when 1 saw it I told Madame Laure. If youre wanting a new dress, why not buy that on?" "Why not?" echoed the girl clerk, and . with all day? , "Ah, stuff and nonsense, my child! This isnt going to be 'business," laughed ths man, getting up from hie seat " This is a pleasure Ive been looking forward to for a week now. I meant that pretty frock for you to wear when you came out with me, to be sure." He took a step toward her, smiling into her aghast little face. And now at 'lest Dolly beRed Riding Hood did see the tween hie puify lids. "Why do you euppoea I got you tbe frocks? " he asked. Eh? " . Dolly roes, too, clutching the back of ths " ehsirryT0U g6f them for me? she faltered You? But I I bought the frocks myself. At least, I I am going to pay for them. Of course. echoed with a laugh, still good humored. "But when? Sixty odd pounds takes somt saving up out of a salary of 1 a week, my dear. Especially when your other savings have gone on shoes and silk stockings and oddments to wear with' the new frocks. Clothes are a very expen sive hobby these days Very expensive, as youd find. Better leave that hill to me for the present, eh?" He took a etep nearer, fehe stood motionless, seeing In one flesh what she had done-see- ing' dismissal, debt, disgrace aa dim looming shapes ahead and not knowing now where to turn. "Eh? he said. - "However, If you feel youd Uke t6 give me something on account, " what about a kiss A little horrified cry escaped her. He, exasperated at tbe Instinctive recoil and by th6 horror on her small face, caught her firmly ' by the arms. " O, dont pretend to be shocked! She struggled in his tightening grip. With a crash the chair fell to the floor. It drowned the sound ot a tap on the offioe door. Dont dont pleasp! " she gasped. But the sagging face with that wolf glitter in the eyes was thrust closer to her own fees that she flung desperately backwards on her slim white neck. "You wont, wont you?" he growled, "Wall crushing her arms In his fingers. see. Sudden as a pistol shot another voice rang out over tbe managers shoulder. "Here, you, sir! Whats this? Upon which Dollys arms wen, released so abruptly that she reeled, and, to steady herself, caught with wildly groping fingers at the desk. But it was not merely the desk that, for some seconds, gave her such comforting support. It was a mans hand, and it belonged to the dark ybung fellow, tall and slim, who had just swung Into the managers English adles, he .urned her quick palms dresses, upward, "they choose thirty-thre-e always he wrong ones! In buying clothes, mademoiselle, there is one thing js consider . she held up an impressive forefinger, you have only one back. Why buy, therefore for the cupboard? A streel drees, perfect of Jtc kind an afternoon frock, also perfect. . perfect toilette for the evening. Behold all that you :eed.h ( Of course,- - murmured Dolly, covetously, "but you see I can only order tbe little ' , serge coat frock." x i Another Ineffably French gesture. But ; All la perfectly simple. Monsieur who spoke to me this morning explained that Mile Kirkpatrick was to have ver cpecial terms and could be permitted time, time, time as much as 3he will before paying. Actually, he himself will regulate the account here, while mademoiselle repays la Installments, is It not? Like that scarcely noticing the expense. So, mademoiselle, I have nere une veritable occasion, a such oargain aa ilttla robe of the afternoon. Your new coat frock there ia trfes chic. But when you make a visit or go to a matinee you will wish for S change. Something more flou, more pretty. And mademoiselle, who has so much the sense of clothes, and the figure for lee toilettes exqulses. Regard me this frock in tha iiffusad tight at tha violet, and fringed with lashes that seemed thick and long as a fur trimming to those eyes; eyps to haunt a womans dreams. All Dolly thought, waa, That mans eyes were exactly the color of my new afternoon frock." 3he entered her office and felt all day that sks worker aetter for being so well dressed. The manager himself, all benevolence and watchfulness, voiced 'mis as hla own impres- aloe just as ao waa going out. He added, as It carelessly, "How many new 'resses Is Madame Laure doing for you. Miss Kirkpatrick; three, isnt it?" "Two; this one, --ad an afternoon frock." O! Better have some sort of a little evening gown while youre about It, hadnt you?" he said. Father a clever and unaucceesful doctor, tucked away in tha country somewhere; peooffice. . ple poor as church mics, proud as Luclfet ; Followed a few moments that seemed to strict as Hades. No. Emphatically she was the girl a whirling aeon. She was conscious, not a girl to whom ons could offer clothes as a haze of shams and suspense, of through He make mis wouldnt that taka presents. her employer standing there, purple flushed, Try another way. before the stranger; she looking, hangdog He eald aa if with friendly frankness: beard tha young, clear voice of that rescuing " Now, look here. 1 could speak to Madams stranger with an intonation not of London, Laure, have her copy that model for you not St England. at twenty pounds." Ill speak to you afterward. Dont let Her lips parted. Then, forlornly, "But me keep you from your luncheon!" Ive only saved eight pounds." III. door closed behind the defeated back The Well? He smiled, in what the girl put Realization came very suddenly a --week or of the manager of Welchs. Then, standing v down aa that fatherly fashion; she knew he sc later. there as 11 the whole place belonged to had grownup children of hla own! Couldnt "And la the new evening frock to when him!" thought Dolly, the strange young man I advance you the odd twelve, and of course be finished to fit you?" inquired Dollys to her. turned out of each it week?" stop your salary .t " lunch time. tone fatherly His Sit wont you," said he. unsmiling, ' employer down, Or She hesitated. was more than, kina now, more than interbut courteous. It was only then that she He waited. ested. A woman wiser than Dolly would realized he waa the young mep ehe had seen O! But but It is so good of you!" " possessive." Dolly, however, have called - " in the lift. " My name ia Davies," be added. Not at all," declared the manager briefly, smiled ineffably toward the thought of I am a friend of Mr. Welch. Now, Im and she did not sense the sudden wolf gleam love the evening gown. afraid you've been having an unpleasant in (la eyes. "1 dont like to thinks of any Needless to add that It was plain, dead time, Mias Kirkpatrick." . nice girl who does her work as well as you here.' black. Madame- tad not even hesitated beDolly, still too dazed to be surprised that do fretting for lack of a frock shed fancy. She produced the little robe of the aftertween It and the white frost frock with the ha knew her name, murmured shakily that Ita only g bit of a ' loan, from' a fenan old noon. It was temptation itself in supplest overdress of tiny glittering icicle. The frost it was her fault, that she hadnt thought; enough to be your father. Not even a loan charmeuse; color a warm gray gleaming to frock model was perhaps more uncommon, that ah ought never to have let that that an advance! Do as you like. Miss Kirkpatviolet; hem, sleeves, and neck fringed by but she had mademoiselles flawlesa skin of dreadful man persuade her to buy those rick." He shrugged his thick shoulders as dark monkey fur,. Displaying .t. the tempt-- , A blonde to flatter- . he rose rather heavily from his chair. If against he girls young frocks. , back the black chiffon looked like a fall of Frocks? " took up the young man with I were you Id go up and talk (jo Madame ress murmured of "Its ehow room price, h quoted another sum, expatiated, smiled, per' soot across a fall 0. snow. No, aha would the Welsh nam and the American voice. Laure about that frock tomorrow.. Ill see sisted, dominated the tempted one in a man- J Whate that about frocks? " not allow a touch o: color; that would be her first for you. You go up at lunch tirpe ner thjri none but c French 'saleswoman or notjust as you feel Inclined i Good eveDolly, choking back her sobs, looked up by tbe live rose flush of excitement in achieves a manner that leaves her victim In He opened the 'door. into the steady young man's face with the Mile. Kirkpatrick's little face when she put ning a state of positive, unreasoning, humble grat" O, thank you so very, very much," muron the gown. deepest bright eyes and tha clean mouth. itude for defeat. mured Dolly Kirkpatrick, overwhelmed. She v It's finished!" breathed Dolly rapturous Poor judge of character though she was, for Dolly Kirkpatrick Went down In the lift went out, down in tbe lift, into the store enonce she mad no mistake. Here was a I took it back to my rooms yesterday. ty. from the show rooms to the manager's oftrance, passing the big show windows, curIm going V wear it to a dance that some friend, straight and kind. Her waa a man fice, wearing the new cost frock, leaving tained now, and only showing, as hugs to be trusted. She faltered out to him the people I know at Richmond are giving on ' her the afternoon gown for some slight .squares of amber light, ; , whole atory. Saturday." alteration, and intoxicated by thlp, her firsl A moments silence in that glossily ornate Blackly silhouette against .the nearest "Wear It before then!" suggested her emshe passed two masculine figures, draught of that for which sha had craved. ployer. And now even- - Dolly noticed a office. Young Mr. Davies stood, one hand on one taller and slimmer than the other, comAt the floor between that of the ehow rooms the managers desk, looking down at her change in his voice. Even Dollys blank Inand of the managers office the lift stopped nocence waa conscious of the difference in ing Into the building. The slim, younger gravely. to admit another passenger. man had a quick turn of the head aa the the mans glance. Intent now upon the look Isnt it frightful?" Dolly gasped. "What girl went by. do you think of It?" In her own face. A quick little thrill of disThis was a young man whom Dolly did Dolly did not even aee him. (Men imagine not remember having seen before at Welch. The young man's gravity lifted for a seccomfort through her as she It ia tor them that womendrees. But the sat at the desk opposite to hie. What did ha ond. He smiled at her. Very simple, very Young men were, to' far, completely lost true frock fan la aha who dresses without mean by staring at her! What did he mean pleasantly, ha said, Tou fool child!" upon this girl; so far she waa oblivious af 1 a thought of men.) Then he was grave again. Thoughtfully anything that could not wear 'a frock. by the tone of hla " wear it before then " ? rollr slmost knew that she wouldjvrallpe4 of - h,--tht- s He leaned forward, ' adding Wear it tol" 'The' eald,"" Sizty poundi worth of clothea. order that frockT clothes " complex," she, v?ould probably never . night, the pretty new frock. Put it on when That about l250 And Walcha pay you -r Already (though this she did not "know) have noticed the tall slimness of the figure you get backl Then 111 call for you later, what is It?. Three pounds a week. Youll ' he was taking the first step along a path that stepped into the lift, or the ease of the pardon my butting into your affairs. Miss dyou pee? Take you out for a nice Uttle that would lead her where? dinner somewhere." gesture (something "not London1 about Kirkpatrick, but you seem to need help. this) with which, seeing a lady in the lift, he Dollye fair head lifted. alertTd Iscompoeed. II. - . 0,1 ahould think I did" muttered Dolly, e She ordered that frock. The tone of the man, not the worde, cent a clinching her bands - against the faultless pulled his hat from hla dark, classically mall head. However, for once Miss KirkThen another."" further thrill of uneasiness through her. skirt of that unpaid for east frock of hers. " I don't know what I shall do next" , She suddenly seemed to see, not her " middle patrick did not find herself noticing someLater, a third! . looks. Tha young man said,'" You cant stay here, mans shout to She a who noticed this . " With three dresses a woman can go anyaged, rotund, kindly boss, thing spoke manager any where." That is, if they are the right ones," her as If she were hie own daughter.but a working for Mr. Welch young mans eyes. They turned very quick-decreed hfadame Laure, head of the show longer. ly upon her, gave her a glance of surprise, stranger. anor rooms She was one of those sallow but delight, inquiry, all perfectly courteous. Be"Dinner" she began. " You'll have to take a new position, in4' Yes! Thats it Just the two of os." fore they furned quickly away again. Bright, faultlessly turned out French women with ome place a'poeltlon that brings you In a . disillusioned, not unkindly, eye. ; r But the "O Its very kind of you," faltered his deepset eyes, of a warm (ray gleaming to . -- her-newe- st -- - any-garme- ; up-onl- sup-pile- d be-hin- man,uar . Alry . w ia:.thl..bto rfftj 'T? i . r '1 'a ,? .Surely," he said quietly. - Ive a friend whos Just starting a new enterprise. "It works In just' nicely wftfi4 3iglaaced - ebout the offlee-with thls new'buslnesa of Mr. Welch. Theyre offering good pay to their people, those that can do th work right; now they believe In keeping folks on the job they do best But is this anything I can do?" "Sure; Its frocks." an odd note in hie voice over the word almost the' savage note of masculine Jealousy. , "Trying opt th loveliest new trocka Scores of em a day. Ah, youll like that? Very few English won en can step into the style of the day after tomorrow without looking scared itll blta. They thought of a mannequin from Paris, but that wasnt tha Idea. It was to show the French gowns beautifully worn by aa English girl. Tour Job, Miss Kirkpatrick. "To be mannequin in some showroom ? asked Doily Kirkpatrick thoughtfully. "J didnt know they paid enough for what 1! must ' The young American shook his black head as he turned to the desk. " Showroom nothing! T'bu've a genius for dress thats worth more than that Judging from what you've told me It all all you car for; well, let it help you. Now Im going to write the card to introduce you to th director of this place. This Is for fashions on the films." f IV. Did yon see those marvelous colored ttsfe Ion films that, primarily an advertisement for th wares of the Malaon Welch, were quoted by all London as the top note of artistic production? Did you watch that girl on. the screen who appeared In frock after wondsrful frock? Notice her manage the billowing opera wrap all a droop with feathery green aa a weeping willow droops under its plumes of June foliage? Enjoy her gesture with the fan as she turned to draw after her the train that followed her like the sweeping tall of a white peacock moving ghostlike "over a lawn? Wonder who th unnamed graceful blonde might be? It waa Dolly Kirkpatrick, working like a Trojan to pay off a debt. Her oontract with the big cinema firm had been a generous one, but she earned every penny of it ' Dolly's screened image, exquisitely arr gant, beckoned orders to a maid; then stepped languidly forward in a dream dress held upon her shoulders by strings of pearls and puffed over her slim .hips as if invisible fairy fingers held out her skirts la admiration of their butterfly fragility ant thla waa all that the public, loung'ng comfortably on its velvet cushioned seats, knew of the work. It had never a glimpse of th big bleak cinema studio near the Embankment, the place that resounded like a rail- -' way station Clang! Clang! Clang! By your leave, there! Polden me, ladles, poideg me! packed with the activities of a giant carpenter shop. Hammer! Hammer! Hammer! Bang! Bang! Bang! and of the back of a theater Lights! Lights! Now let her go! Now shoot! Stop, stop, stop! Carpenter hare! Go back and do that over again. Now, .Mis Kirkpatrick! Where the several kinds-- ' of Hades la that ah, youll have to wait A bit. Lights, Fred! Day In, day out, from cheeeriesls morn tlQ cbtllaome eve, this was the scene In which" "Mias Kirkpatrick, the dress artist for Welch's, spent the- - next months of her young Ilfs. Under the ghastly lights that turned her first green and mauve, then chalk white and petunia pink, she posed la her "set" th cardboard room that made her background or changed her droeaea la tha dressing room that was a sieve o draughts, pr stood about waiting for her tar tr actions, watching the work on another picture, moving out of th way of hustling workmen, and always going over a sum HI, her head. How soon, on her preeeent salary, could she hope to pay back that !M t ' , Welchs? - O . The young American had told her that be ' bad explained thing all right to Mr. Wa(ch himself, and that aha would not be worried, she could take her own time. The tlmi dragged fearfully to DoBy, Just th am. "Even the '"beat week, when she had kept 10 of her;' earnings to send IdT'a registered letter ' to th cashier at Welch' seemed long to her. It was a weary life. The chief high lights in it were, as a matter ' ot fact, those visits to the studio of her " friend, young Mr. Davies. - He seemed to be as well known to th director as he was to ' the carpenters. AH had something to saty to him, ail looked out for the slender figure in dark blue with th tiny American service button In the eoat. Hs hsd, as well, th right to ths British silver badge, for he wan of th company of those many Canadian - save",' 4 Lanch time found her anting landuiiehaa in tha deaartad lactation of har "tot. hug emptied place the waa hanayaaekla fair. ' higher salary so you can save up tj for those dresses," , - " Yes, exactly," laid th girt clerk despair, ingly, but where can X get that? This waa th first place Ive worked In. I couldnt ask him for a reference." " Young Mr-- Davies lip tightened some-- ' what savagely. " Its he wholl need the ref. erence, I guess. I could I could have Welch fire him right how. But I dont believe XU do that. Hes too good a manager, and fm a business man first of ail. I believe in keep. Ing folks in the job they do heat. 1 know hi type. Straight in business, straight with other men; cant help being yellow where women are concerned. I'll see be gets again th flash of a boyish smile " another brand of amanuensis. And as for you. Miss Kirkpatrick, I think I can put you on to th position you should taka" OF murmured Dolly, his miserable Uttle face brightening into half credulous "but I I think Id 1 think, if yot don't mind, that I had better not" "Now, why not?" A note of ingratiation in the voice which did not reassure. elerle, wolf-glee- ' ' i now? Kirkpatrick.'you are discovered." Im not." ventured Dolly, mutinous under the teasing. "I wasnt thinking about anything of that kind. I was only Just think-in- g about a frock." The man laughed, too. A frock, eh? The girl thought ha would drop the subject. Man were bored If you talked frocks Especially men to whom "frocks" meant the days routine and the year's commission. Frock talk waa for the wealthy customer, not for the obscure employ. Here, however, was the manager pursuing the topic quite sympathetically! A fisher-ma-n might have recognized hie glance as that of ths man who thinks hs has hit at last upon the right bait for a peculiarly shy trout. But in quite an aaay, casual tone hs asked: What sort of a frock? Any particular one youve noticed in the showrooms here?" " Yes," Dolly sighed. She clinched her hands against her well worn skirt, and into her eyes crept back the look which . had caught her employers attention. The look of the woman dreaming of her hearts desire! - 'MimWWWWff. li . supposed rose. " Is there a special look when one is expecting to be taken out to dinner? Why, certainly! retorted her employer. (He occasionally borrowed an Americanism from his chief, th owner of Welch's.) "Certainly theres s special look.' That is, if the date is with a ' special man. Miss t .. . Dolly, rather flutteringly, Isnt It a to be not quite businesslike to go out id dinner the people one is working her own. JDolIy told him that she wasnt going out that evening with any one. Not? The manager, acrosa the glossily crnste office, still eyed the slim girl. Tou'd got just tbe look on your face a moment . ago." Now, the young woman isnt born who will not rise " to a comment on her facial Even when that comment Is expression. made by one as bald, as middle aged, and as rotund as the manager of Welch's. Dolly M .. ... r absently" ' wvmnFBmp BENNT for1 your thought. Mis Kirkpatrick 01 1 wasnt thinking of any thing, specially." "'Come, comet Must have been thinking Of something. . I wouldnt mind betting that it was about whatever lucky young fellow is due to take you out this evening, eh 7 - But Dolly Kirkpatrick shook her head as she locked her desk in the managers office. - At Welchs, the newest big frock shop in London, it was a minute after closing time. Hence, quite in order that the manager should exchange a few words apart from , business with his private clerk. Bhs was It and anachronistlcally unsophisticated. The manner in hlch her "boss" eyed her as he spoke conveyed to her the fatherly interest of the kind old thing. Very similar was tbe first verdict of Little Red Riding Hood upon her.. wolL- - Indeed, a "judges of character, Miss Hood and Miss Kirkpatrick were about on a par. ' Srailing- - lyO. . Continued on following pagaj t a i |