The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27

was recalled to herself by fresh giggle
from her companion and muttered in
junction to behave herself.
BY this time the procession of men was
! making its last lap up the hail. and the heac
was passing a man in an elaborate calico
coat, waistcoat, and trousers, who held {
| large tray filled with envelopes. Fash man
| took one, and when he had torn it ope1
took out the necktie that it contained
broke ranks and set out to find the cir
with dress to MATCH
George opened his envelope as the res
did, and set off with pale pink tie dang
ling in his hand. He had peered into about
| two groups of girls, when Jennie seized hin
by the arm and exclaimed:
What are you doin'?'
'Lookin' for my girl
Say, George, do you want any other CIR
than me, or don't your
The form of the question was little con-
| fusing, and George didn't answer.
"pnt that thing up, quick" said Jennie
"Oh give it here" and with an impatient
| grab Jennie took the pale pink thing.
crushed it in her hand, and from some
secret place III her gown pulled out tie OF
pale green to match her dress. She stuck
| this through the button hole of Georges
| calico coat, tied it into a neat bow, tool
| Georges arm with decision, and started of
| around the room with him. George didn't
| seem to half understand it and began tc
protest.
Say. do you want to see what you'd a'go1
| into if hadn't grabbed your" said Jennie
| "What do you mean?''
Fright down the aisle. second turn to the
left, there by that door, said Jennie, indi-
eating the strawberry blonde, who, left
| alone i'll waiting, was exhibiting her gums in
an apprehenslye smile and eagerly await
ing the appearance of a knight with pale
pink tie. The couples were falling in line
| for the grand march, but Jennie managed
to stroll with George around past that pale
PINK young woman and casually drop a
necktie upon the floor beside her. George
still couldn't quite get through his head
how Jennie had worked it. and wanted to
know what about the fellow that got the
pale green tie to match her dress.
George. YOU make me tired said Jennie
candidly. "Iou don't suppose was going
to have some awkward ninny dancing with
me all night, because he got tie like nv
| dress. do you? If the fellow that gets my
! envelope don't like the tie he finds in it, he
| can throw it away, for all care.'
George had never heard of that sort of a
| calico ball arrangement before; but as he
gazed at the strawberry blonde, who had
Just discovered the necktie and was stand
ing upon it to conceal it until she could
pick it up unnoticed. and quivering with
rage he accepted the goods the gods had
PROVIDED ana Silu uOtll0S.
The column of couples in the grand
march presently got around to another man
with tray. who dealt out a big envelope
to each lady. These opened, each found a
neat little calico apron, which, promptly
put on, gave a piquant effect to the calico
dresses. and so set off the charms of one
young woman who had broken the rules and
| come i'll dress of plain black stuff that
she promptly became the object of sinister
looks and side remarks from all the other
women.
1t did almost as well by Jennie. with her
dark eyes and hair and clear complexion.
| There were two cute little pockets in it. and
Jennie stood aside after trying it on. thrust
| her hands into them, ierked her head de-
| murely on one side, and looked at George.
The stupid fellow seemed struggling with
| an idea.
Say, Jennie, you look kind O., kind o.
| Words seemed to come slowly, and Jen-
ME, who was waiting hungrily for the conn.,
pliment, said in her tensest Cash here.'
| tone:
| kind o what?"
George seemed stumped for the word. but
after a moment the inspiration came tt
| him, and all at once he blurted out:
| Kind o homelike. Damned if yor
DON'T
| 1t wasn't just the word Jennie, who hat
lived in cheap boarding house for tivt
years since her mother died, had expected
and it affected her queerly. She swallowel
| a lump and her eyes got dewy.
| .Oh, rubbish she said with funn'
quayer in her voice. but not as ii displeased
and. grabbing Georges arm, set OF witt
him IN rapid walk TO place where Il Sc
was forming for a guadrille. George s'ig
nothing TOR some time and seemed OF
pressed with heavy thought. ;