The Somerset reporter., 1902-01-23
The Story of a Girl Who
Chose Not Wisely.

superiority in the matter of dress and
personal appearance. smiled.
The head waitress, taking a position
at one of the windows. stood looking
at the two men. both of whom had
made love to her. She had purposely
seated them so as to get their faces in
one frame as 1t were, for she had been
unable to forsake one and cleaVe to
the other. She respected the fireman
she had loved him once and had &C.
knowledged it to him-but she was
dazzled by the handsome, well groom.
ed proprietor of the Mint Julep. Once
or twice the fireman ventured to look
up, but each time he saw her gazing
: upon his rival and his heart was filled
with dread.
what time shall | call?" he asked
as Fanny handed him his ticket.
mot before o. | detest being first in
ballroom"
Suppose we say $50? 1t will be 8
by the time we reach the hall"
Nine" said Fanny. nodding at the
Julep man as he passed out with his
chlnchlla thrown gracefully over his
shoulders
But I'm on the reception commit
tee"
Then go and 'recep' and come back
for me. | shan't leave the house be.
fore o. My. how gay you are!'
The fireman went out with a heavy
heart. Fanny was getting on. She
had not used such language TO him be-
fore, and it cut him to the quick. He
remembered how be had begged her to
keep out of he eating house and tried
TO hint to her mother that the place
was full of lures.
ITS only short step In the direc-
ton OF danger" he said. "a public
dinner room. camp meeting. the skat-
ing rink. and
stop" said Fannys mother. al will!
not have you hint even that Fanny is
capable of being bad"
nAnd SO the fireman had been power.
less to prevent the pure young girl
from putting herself in this position
Promptly at 8 O'Clock be called for
Fanny She would be out in a mo
ment her mother said.
During the half hour In which he
waited for the expiration of a WON.
ans moment" the fireman noticed q
number OF new pieces OF furniture,
also be noticed that Fanny's mother
was a little reserved Fanny herself.
while amply deliberate. was irritable
and nervous. Conversation seemed to
go slowly with them, like heavy
train on an up grade
When they entered the ballroom. the
hddlers were already tidding. and they
fell In line for the opening walk
round.
Over In one end of the hall there was
q bank of plants and ferns. loaned by
leading citizens for the fremen's an,
nual bail and just In front of the oasis
stood the Iulep man. immaculate as
ever and wearing the only evening
dress suit in the room.
He was radiant and all the more so
by comparison. for not few of the
respectable suits worn by the firemen
and their friends were beginning to
take on that unmlstakable shine that
comes with age.
"Oh. Isaac" exclaimed Mrs. Wolf
slime to her husband, what beauti-
full young lady. Who is sheY'
"She ees not what you say-a lady.
She is waitress from zee eating house
And who Is the handsome gentle
man writing on her card?"
He ees not one gentleman, my dear.
He ees re proprietor of re Mint 'Ulep."
Now Mrs Wolfstine marveled that
this man should be there dancing with
the daughters OF the best families in
the growing western town But why
should be not be there? Every fire
man on the division had sold or tried
to sell him ticket for the annual ball
The fireman was surprised upon TAX
ing Fannys card to lind that his rival
had already written upon IT,
a half an hour later he took the card.
again to select number and found the
face OF it black With "Julep Julep.
Juiep'
This man had been called by that
name so much that he had come to an
swer 10 il and write IT, Indeed. few
people in the place knew that lie had
another name.
1t was two hours after midnight
when the fireman opened the gate in
front OF the little frame cottage where
the girls mother lived
well" said the girl. putting the
gate between them. was the bali
successY
For some people 1t was decided
success
And for others"
"a fat failure"
"That's too bad said Fanny. with
provoking tarele ssncss.
"Oh, don't know. Where there are
30 many smooth runs and smooth run
ners there must always be a few
wrecks and failures
Fanny yawned and ended it with n
forced, half apologize laugh.
Fanny. said the fireman. II want
to ask you one question before | 90.
and | would like frank, honest an
swer."
Well"
"Dn Won IOvn 1po'f