The Press

Preparedness
By Gerald St. Etienne
(Copyright, 1919, by McClure Newspaper Syndicate.)

Jack Marlboro ran his fingers over the twelve shirts placed on the counter before him, and then produced a roll of bills.

"I'll take the whole dozen," he announced to the weary-looking clerk. "There won't be another bargain like this for years."

The clerk was too surprised to answer, but as Jack was starting away he ventured to suggest the purchase of something else.

"No, thanks." Jack smiled. "I've got everything else. I have socks enough to last me for six years and underwear for just as long—to say nothing of ties and suits of clothes. There is not an article of wearing apparel that I will need for years to come that I haven't got stored away. I believe in preparedness.

"This war is going to knock prices sky high and I have figured I have saved hundreds of dollars on what I have purchased and packed away. In two years' time we poor beggars who have to stay home won't be able to buy shirts like these I have just bought for $1.50 apiece."

The dress goods counter was on the way out. As Jack was hurrying past it a light hand was placed on his shoulder. He looked up to meet the smiling gaze of Jessie Evridge, the jeweler's daughter.

Jessie had been an old school-days friend, and had just returned from college. She had not changed much, Jack thought, as he took the gracefully proffered hand.

"I was going to ask your assistance with my parcels," Jessie laughed, archingly. "But I see you have plenty of your own. Have you been laying in a stock of things to last you until the last of the war?"

"I have bought more silk than I can use in years, but I believe in preparedness. The way everything is going up silk will be out of reach within a year or two. I have got the grandest white crepe de chine for my wedding dress. How do you like it?"

She held up a fold of the goods for his inspection.

"You will look splendid in a dress of that," Jack enthused. "You are very sensible to purchase now. You are the only person in town who agrees with me, though, I'll venture to say."

"Then we are the only sensible people in town," she said, decidedly. "They think at home that I am foolish to invest so much of my little fortune on things to put away, but time will tell. Father thinks I have lost my head, but at the same time he says that diamonds will double in price before this time next year."

"Is that so?" Jack exclaimed. "Goodness knows how soon I might need a diamond. I had better see your father right away."

"Let me sell you one. I am helping in the store during my holidays. I can tell you the setting she will like best."

Jack blushed to the roots of his hair, but Jessie laughed gayly. He didn't make his choice the first day, but called often to discuss it with the eager young saleslady. He did not tell her, of course, that he had not met the young lady who was to wear the ring, but was just buying it in the expectation of being engaged sometime. It was following out his idea of preparedness.

Once the purchase had been made, he regretted that he had not taken longer in making the choice. Not that he was not satisfied with the one Jessie had persuaded him to take, but it meant the loss of an excuse to call at the jewelry store when the jeweler's daughter was in charge. Jessie had always appeared attractive to him, but now she appeared the most wonderful girl in the world.

Why hadn't he recognized her before as his ideal girl? he asked himself. Just when he had realized it it was too late, for already Jessie had bought her wedding dress.

How lucky the other man was, he thought. It was hard to give her up just as he had found her, as it were.

After he had purchased the ring Jack did not make any more purchases of things to lay aside. When he viewed the things in his wardrobe and every other conceivable place to store things the suspicion that he had made a mistake came over him. There were more things than he would be able to wear before they became too far out of style to be presentable. How much better it would have been if he had saved his money. However, there was still a substantial credit balance to his account in the bank, but just the same he would like to have unburdened some of the things he had. There were enough clothes and toggery in his possession to start a haberdashery.

His last purchase was the worst elephant of all. Most likely he was doomed to bachelorhood, now that the only girl who could make him happy was engaged to some one else. Perhaps it would be best to give everything he had stored away to the Red Cross for a rummage sale. They would think he was crazy to have accumulated so many things.

Jessie would advise what to do, he thought, as he resolved to call on her again.

That was Jessie's night to be in the store. Jack arrived just before closing time. There was no one at the front of the shop, and he waited impatiently for a few minutes.

A stifled sob sounded from the rear of the store. Jack was on the spot in an instant. Jessie was crying; he could recognize her voice even in a sob. He was by her side in an instant.

"What's the matter, Jessie?" he asked sympathetically.

Jessie dried her tears instantly. "I have just been thinking what an idiot I am," she said mournfully. "I have bought more things than I know what to do with, and I'm just as foolish as they've all said I am. Why, I have a complete green trunk, and there isn't even a prospect of me ever being married! I haven't got a boy friend who cares anything for me."

"Haven't you?" Jack cried out in delight. "Aren't you engaged?"

"No," she answered, looking at him in surprise. "I haven't had a chance, cooped up like I have been in a stupid college. All the nice boys at home have become engaged while I was away."

"Then you don't include me among the nice boys," he said disappointedly.

"You are engaged," she flashed. "I picked out the ring for you."

"But that was only part of my preparedness plan," he smiled as he reached out for her hand. "I bought it to have handy when I found the girl of my dreams, and I have found her. You are my dream girl—the only one who can make me happy as my wife."

The humor of it struck Jessie. "I had better take you while husbands last," she said roguishly. "This war is making them scarce, so I had better have one to go with my wedding gown."

"I'm not much of a bargain," he smiled as he drew her closer.

"You are the dearest bargain in the world, and I love you."

The smile was replaced with a look of sincerity, and when their lips met he knew she meant it.