ed. "I
can choose gowns for her, but how can I tell her the sort of--well,
corsets she ought to wear? How can I select for her things a bachelor
is presumed to know nothing about? Haven't you an hour or two in which
to play Fairy Godmother?"

"I have all day," the young woman confessed. "I merely came in to yearn
over the pretty things."

"O messenger from Heaven!" he cried, more hopefully. "Would it appear
presumptuous if I asked you, in return for this favor, to select the
very prettiest gown in this shop for your very own?"

The offer was refused pleasantly, but firmly. "I'd be paid ten times
over by the fun of spending oodles of money even if it were not my own.
But would they consent to have a stranger--?"

"If you will permit a tiny deceit, I'm sure they will. I shall burden
my conscience with a white lie and pretend that you are a friend to
whose judgment I have appealed. My poor conscience is scandalously
overburdened, but--that girl is suffering!"

"I thought they must have struck oil. I've seen others like them."

Without further ado, Gray hurried his new acquaintance back to the
dress department, then, in his easiest manner, introduced her to the
Briskows. She flashed him a look of amusement as he glibly made her
known as "Miss Good." He had invited Miss Good to join their picnic
immediately upon hearing that Ma and Allie were coming to Dallas, and
she had been overjoyed. Miss Good, as they could see, possessed
unerring good taste, but what was more, she had a real genius for
finding bargains. As a bargain hunter Miss Good was positively unique.

Ma Briskow pricked up her ears at this, soon she and the newcomer had
their heads together, and within a few minutes Gray realized that his
experiment was a success. The stranger possessed enthusiasm, but it was
coupled with common sense, and before her sunshiny smile even
Allegheny's sullen distrust slowly began to thaw. She drew Gray aside
finally, and said: "It's all right. They're perfect dears, and, now,
the best thing you can do is to take yourself off."

He agreed promptly, but cautioned her against economy. "That
bargain-hunting remark was only a bait. Remember, Gus Briskow wants
them to have everything, and be everything they should be, regardless
of expense. Why, both he and I would like nothing better than to have
Allegheny look like you, if that were possible."

Miss Good eyed the speaker curiously. "Who are you?" she inquired.
"What are these