The Argosy — page 247: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

232 Philip Twyford’s Exchange. It was decided at the outset that it must be white. ‘‘ Something shimmery,” Jeannie had suggested. Lettie waved aside all flimsy materials disdainfully. ‘‘ Pretty,” she admitted, ‘‘but I mean to give you something substantially useful, Jeannie.” Satin, the designer decided, was too old, but he could make up a lovely dress out of satin merveilleux. This met with the approval of both the girls. ‘And now as to style, madam,” he said, thoughtfully. ‘ You would like something simple, yet fashionable, I presume.” He retired gravely to a desk behind a wooden screen, and covered his eyes with his hand in rapt consideration. <A few inarticulate sounds escaped him: then he rose the inspired artist. “Tt must be gold,” he said gravely, ‘‘ braid, I would recommend. It is youthful and well suited to the material.” He sent an assistant for the Paris model, while he proceeded to further explain his ideas. Jeannie was, of course, charmed. She had never imagined herself in such a costume. ‘‘T must make some slight variations,” continued the artist. ‘The model, you will perceive, is somewhat handsomer than I propose. Satin and gold embroidery.” “Tt is lovely!” gasped both girls in a breath. ‘“T must have one like it,” exclaimed Lettie. ‘‘I had not intended getting a new dress for Woodridge, but ——” The ‘‘ but” was significant, and the compliment it conveyed not lost on Mr. Cooper. ‘‘ Madam,” he said bowing, ‘‘ it would surpass all my former efforts in the line. To be sure, the dress would require carrying off. But I think, in fact I am sure, that you could do it.” He strode away to allow his words to take effect, returning in a few seconds with the details all prepared, and placed a few patterns on the table. “T have a design for a body,” he said, ‘‘ that would complet2 the costume to perfection. It would suit you, madam. It is more than becoming : it would, in fact, improve your figure fifty per cent.” This seemed truly irresistible, and proved so to Lettie. The orders were carefully inscribed by Mr. Cooper. ‘‘ The names and address?” he asked. ‘Miss Phillimore,” replied Lettie. ‘Miss Carson,” intimating Jeannie. ‘150, Stanhope Gardens. We leave town this day week ; I trust both dresses may be ready.” Mr. Cooper bowed, and the ladies went upstairs to the dressmaker. Now, it happened that just at this moment an irascible countess made her entry, who was seriously offended at some negligence on the part of a workwoman. Mr. Cooper was called into requisition, and the names were not entered in the book. The countess kept him long, and when at last he was free and flew upstairs to make good his omission, the girls had left and the names had slipped his memory. It has been remarked that Lettie looked tall. It was her stately GOMmIicbooks (E(0) m