Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-08-02
"sT sunnose f. must have been II

ness.
"'You girls both wrote for the Tri-
umvirate.' said Ethel, to break the
silence. Didn't you?'
Yes, that's why they had to lower
the price, said Oleander. old Spacer
told me that, when I asked him why
they'd gone and done it. eve can't
get 20 cents for it if we continue to
print your stuff" he said. Queer old
bird, Spacer was
81 don't think we appreciated him.
L said, trying to give a gentler turn
to the conversation. When he was
gone I realized that I had learned a
lot of things from him.
Did, Ell? Well, I taught him
few said Oleander, glibly.
"'He seemed to be quite well in
formed, as men co. said.
"'WeIl, you ought to know said
Oleander.
by this time had begun to suspect
that Oleander's manner was simply
an unpleasant pose, so turned my
zine.
"she gave sort of horse laugh and
went off chuckling in a most horrible
way.
".odd sort of person, isn't she?'
said to Ethel.
"'Oh, she's always like that said
Ethel. She's such fun! She's the wit
test girl in the club and as quick as
a fash
"'Well, she's too speedy for me-
said I, and if you've any more like
her, just keep them off. can't quite
assimilate that buoyant personality
Of hers
about month after Ethel sent
me two tickets for the Comb and
Brush clubs vaudeville performance.
"I can't be there she wrote; Pm
going to Florida, but want you to
go and am sending you these tickets
with my compliments and much love-
"But I thought of Oleander Hook
and weakly. capitulated by deciding
I wouldn't go. I'd have to cut her,
and Oleander Eeemed so explosive
there was no knowing what might hap
pen.
''But that day in came Mrs. Fairfax,
cousin of Ethel's, and told her I
wasn't going and asked her if she
didn't want the tickets.
"'But you must come,' she said.
It's going to be such fun
$50 I went with Mrs. Fairfax. In
the distance as we entered I saw
Oleander. She had on another doggy
looking gown and derby hat.
Fancy! in the evening! She fastened
her gaze on me, but 1 looked through
her.
"She kept coming nearer and near
err, smiling broadly at me, but just
didn't see her. Then she sat down
near me and began to talk loud to
another girl. I paid no attention
whatever to her.
FINALLY she leaned over and
plucked me by the sleeve. I know
it's a Shakespearean sort of express
sion, but that's just what she did
! She caught the sleeve between heI
finger and thumb and gave it little
tug just as a fox terrier would dc
with its teeth.
81 looked around and coldly con
fronted her, grinning broadly.
"'Oh, I said, Miss Hook, 1 believe
isn't it?'
"'That's just who it u.s. began the
dreadful girl, you didn't see me, die
you?'
eyes, saw you,' I said.
"'Well, you didn't know me then,
she blurted.
"'You-er-had different hat on
believe, when I met you,' I said
eying the derby.
"'Do you always know people BY
their hats?' she said
"'Not always; only sometimes
replied.
''Mrs. Fairfax came to the rescu,
here.
"Tsn't it a delightful EVENING" sh,
said.
"T suppose it is said. But In
so easily scared
"'Terrible thing to have such a sh,
disposition said Oleander.
YOU'RE not troubled that way
Miss Hook remarked.
"'Oh, I'm all right she said. In
on earth and don't you forget it,
"'You'll not let me forget it, fear,
I said.
"'Td hate to be dead on sal,
Oleander.
al wish I could share your views,
1 remarked.
ooh, be chubby she said. Life i
too short to chew the rag. Let us g,
to the trapeze, Lady jane
81 moved out of Miss Hooks aura
Her reIentness gaze followed me.
felt and knew that she was sayin,
things.
about three weeks after I got
note written on the heavy paper O
the Comb and Brush club with the odc
emblems of the association engraver
on top. The writing looked as though
it had been done with match dipped
in stove polish. 1t said:
Dear Lady Jane: We're 81 to the bad o.
our vaudeville show and guess it's abou
up to you as your name isn't down amon
the purchasers and you must have crawle
in under the tent. But it won't do, old girl
Just drop that high and mighty touch-me
| not air of yours long enough to cough u
81! And be quick about it. See? Faithful
ly yours, OLEANDER HOOK,
Urea the Comb r n F2r11SIs