JUST A LINE TO BETTY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 293, 4 September 1908, Page 5

JUST A LINE TO BETTY.

DEAR BETTY,I'm tired! For two hours I've been swept liko a feather hither and thither amidst tho turmoil of tho crowds surging through the Economic. v It is sale time, and you know how notorious this establishment is for wonderful bargains. Children's overalls for 2s. lid.; Feminine undoarwear at ridiculously low prices! I gasped in .astonishment at the white-tucked skirts of Indian lawn marked us. lid., and my heart' beat in funny little jerks on beholding whito lawn : gowns, daintily embroidered, for 17s. fid.' Who of us won't add one of theso to our wardrobe for tho swiftly advancing summer? Nothing is so charming on young girls ris these simplo lawns. I made a frantic rush through a.slight gap • for the remnant table. Such a snatching and scuffling! I grew despondent, for, just as I thrust out my hand for a piece of blue and vrhito check silk at an absurdly low figure, a woman of much avoirdupois sent mo slithering into the person at my side. The weighty bundle of femininity coveted the silk—so did I! Wo glared, and she, being tho most important—if flesh counts—procured tho bargain! ' I managed to reach tho millinery department. There were hats trimmed and hats untrimmed. A' bottle-green crinoline, with a handful of brown and green shadojv ribbon and quills was marked 10s. Gd. It took my breath away! Hats, of every description and colour, all trimmed for 12s. 6d. ... One diminutive woman, .who had apparently been thero from early morn, touched my arm, "Is there a room hero whero ono can procure lunch ? ! '_ she asked, and because of'.the weariness written upon her countenaiico, caused 'by tho excited crowds, I was glad to answer in tho affirmativo. "Tired?" I siiid as I directed her. "Yes, to the death," was tho quiet answer, "and I've not finished' yet. I want to get to tho jackets. They aro in all styles and colours, checked and striped, and each dirt chcai)-' But I'm done! so will lunch here and start again afterwards. There, are heaps of bargains to procure, before I'm ready for home." •Eventually I wended my way to tho muslin' counter. Here thero was a buzzing akin to tho assemblage of a million bees. Buzz! Buzz 11 Whew! 'how'they chattered and pulled. Muslins in pinks, blues, lilacs, and greens, all 6}d. a yard. Oh, Betty, Betty, think of the dreamy, enchanting gowns we can have 1 ' I can seo your eyes shining, and can imagine the visions your youthful mind conjures up of dainty things for the season, all for so little cost. But I digress. From the head of the stairs, presently, I watched, glad of a moment's respite. Liko an army, a sea of women's heads —young and old, thoy surged—ono great multitudinous crowd, pushing, bobbing, jostling, and animated—all grasping for tho wondrous bargains. Betty, it is a great sale, of all tho most excellent. Eager myself, and again ready for the fray, I swept down amongst them. I would not be .beaten! I pushed my hand into a basket, and pulled out something—they wore stockings, black and openwork, Is. 6d. a pair. I tossed them to an assistant, over.the heads of the people. They'll do beautifully for my crepo gown. ' My dear, my dear! the hour is midnight— shall I dream of the Economic and its bargains in all lines? —I hope I shall, in which case I shall be happy again. For tho moment, au, revoir. GEM. 6344