ers. The model was offered in
all colors and also in a modified form that permitted its use
for either afternoon or evening. Susan had received her
instructions, so when she was dressed, she was ready to sweep
into Gideon's presence with languid majesty. Jeffries' eyes
glistened as he noted her walk. "She looks as if she really
was a lady!" exclaimed he. "I wish I could make my daughters
move around on their trotters like that."

Gideon was enthroned in an easy chair, smoking a cigar. He was
a spare man of perhaps forty-five, with no intention of
abandoning the pretensions to youth for many a year. In dress
he was as spick and span as a tailor at the trade's annual
convention. But he had evidently been "going some" for several
days; the sour, worn, haggard face rising above his elegantly
fitting collar suggested a moth-eaten jaguar that has been for
weeks on short rations or none.

"What's the matter?" he snapped, as the door began to open.
"I don't like to be kept waiting."

In swept Susan; and Jeffries, rubbing his thick hands, said
fawningly, "But I think, Mr. Gideon, you'll say it was worth
waiting for."

Gideon's angry, arrogant eyes softened at first glimpse of
Susan. "Um!" he grunted, some such sound as the jaguar
aforesaid would make when the first chunk of food hurtled
through the bars and landed on his paws. He sat with cigar
poised between his long white fingers while Susan walked up and
down before him, displaying the dress at all angles, Jeffries
expatiating upon it the while.

"Don't talk so damn much, Jeff!" he commanded with the
insolence of a customer containing possibilities of large
profit. "I judge for myself. I'm not a damn fool."

"I should say not," cried Jeffries, laughing the merchant's
laugh for a customer's pleasantry. "But I can't help talking
about it, Gid, it's so lovely!"

Jeffries' shrewd eyes leaped for joy when Gideon got up from
his chair and, under pretense of examining the garment,
investigated Susan's figure. As his gentle, insinuating hands
traveled over her, his eyes sought hers. "Excuse me," said
Jeffries. "I'll see that they get the other things ready."
And out he went, winking at Mary Hinkle to follow him--an
unnecessary gesture as she was already on her way to the door.

Gideon understood as well as did they why they left. "I don't
think I've seen you before, my dear," said he to Susan.

"I came only this morning," replied she.

"I like to kno