The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-12

| Uy-JnlrO street can feel IOr one VINO Stdn0a
behind Fourteenth street counter. Ths
strawberry blond flushed and exposed
both gums at once in a bitter smile. She
seemed to mediate summary action. but
was recalled to herself by fresh giggls
from her companion and muttered in
junction to behave herself.
BY this time the procession of men was
making its last lap up the hall, and the
head was passing man IN an elaborate
calico coat, waistcoast and trousers, who
held large tray filled with envelopes.
Each man took one, and when he had torn
it open took out the necktie that it con-
tanned, broke ranks and set out to find the
girl with dress to match.
George opened his envelope as the rest
did, and set off with pale pink tie dam
Cling in his hand. He had peered into
about two groups of girls, when Jennie
seized him by the arm and exclaimed:
what are you doing?"
Looking for my girl"
"Say, George, do you want any other
girl than me. or don't you?"
The form of the question was a little
confusing, and George didn't answer.
"Put that thing up, quick" said Jennie
"What for!'
"Oh, give it here" and with an impa-
tient grab Jennie took the pale pink thing,
\ crushed it in her hand, and from some
secret place in 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, took
Georges arm with decision, and started of
around the room with him. George didn't
seem to half understand it and began to
| protest.
''Say, do you want to see what you'd
| "a got into if hadn't grabbed your" said
Jennie
What do you mean|
Right down that aisle, second turn to
the left, there by that door," said Jennie.
indicating The strawberry blond, who, left
alone in waiting, was exhibiting her gums
! in an apprehensive smile, and eagerly
awaiting the appearance Of knight with
pals 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 necktie upon the floor be-
side 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 Jen-
ME candidly. "You don't suppose was
going to have some awkward ninny dane
ing with me all night because he got a tie
like my 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 be
gazed at the trawberry blond, 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 and said nothing.
The column of couples in the grand
march presently got around to another
man with tray, who dealt out big en-
velope to each lady. These opened, each
found a neat little calico apron, which,
promptly put on, gave piquant effect to
the calico dresses, and so set off the charms
of one young woman who had broken the
rules and come in dress of plain black
stuff that she promptly became the objecG
the other women.
1t did almost as well by Jennie with her
dark hair and eyes and clear complexion.
and Jennie stood aside after trying it on,
thrust her hands into them, ierked her
head demurely on one side and looked at
George. The stupid fellow seemed strug-
Cling 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
Al eaS1 in her
heref' tone:
''Kind o. what3"
George seemed stumped for the word,
but after moment the inspiration came
to him, and all at once he blurted out:
"Kind o homelikel Damned If you
don'ty'
1t wasn't just the word Jennie, who had
lived in a cheap boarding house for five
years since her mother died, bad expected,
and it affected her queerly. She swallowed
a lump and her eyes got dewy.
ooh, rubbishp' she said, with a funny
quaver in her voice, but not as il dis
pleased, and, grabbing Georges arm, set
off with him in rapid walk to place
where set was forming for quadrille.
George said nothing for some time, and
seemed oppressed with heavy thought.
Jennie and George walked home, the street
car was such long time coming. Jennie
was tired, and it was no wonder she leaned
heavily on Georges arm. She had to slip
off her gossamer in the vestibule in her
wrestle with her pocket in search of the
key. When she had found it she slipped
it in the lock, and facing about in the dim
light stuck her hands again in the apron
pockets and looked saucy. George seemed
TO have an idea again, but if there was any
inspiration connected with it it came too
late, for in moment afterward Jennie's
hand had stolen back to the key, the door
was opened, and with good night that |
forcibly recalled "Cash hereI" when |
"cash" hasn't been here after the first two |
calls, she went inside and the ball was
over.
George walked home with an uneasy |
feeling, as il he had lost something with |
out just knowing what it was. and Jennie, !
up in her room, stood before the glass for |
g moment with her hands in those apron |
pockets again, laughed little laugh and |
gurgIed:
81 wonder what he'd say If I'd popP'-
New York Sun.
Hftsoor.actfou Com ewhex.