The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-08-28
tronnr about her except her fresh.

get 20 cents for It If we continue 60
print your stuff" he said Queer old
bird. Spacer was
"'l don't think we appreciated him.
| said, trying to give n gentler turn
to the conversation. when he was
gone | realized that | had learned
lot of things from him
"'Did, eh? Well, / taught him
few said Oleander, glibly.
"'lle seemed to be quite well in
formed, as men GO ] said.
"'Well. 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
back to her and picked up a maga-
zine.
"she gave a sort of horse laugh and
went off chuckling in a most horrible
way.
"'Odd sort of person, isn't she?' I
said to Ethel.
"'Oh, she's always like that said
Ethel. She's such fun! She's the wit
tiest girl in the club and as quick as
a fash
"Well, she's too speedy for me-
said /, and if you've any more like
her. just keep them off. i can't quite
assimlate that buoyant personality
of hers
about month after Ethel sent
me two tickets for the Comb and
Brush clubs vaudeville performance.
"T can't he 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 | thought of Oleander Hook
and weakly capitulated by deciding
! wouldn't go. I'd have to cut her,
and Oleander teemed so explosive
there was no knowing what might hap
pen.
But that day in came Mrs. Fairfax
n cousin of Ethel's, and 4 told her |
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 | went with Mrs Fairfax In
Oleander She had on another doggy
looking gown and derby hat.
Fancy! in the evening! She fastened
her gaze on me, but | looked through
her.
"She kept coming nearer and near
er, smiling broadly at me- but just
didn't see her. Then she sat down
- al ~
another girl paid no attention
whatever to her.
FINALLY she leaned over and
plucked me by the sleeve. | know
it's a Shakespearean sort of express
sion, but that's just what she did.
She caught the sleeve between her
finger and thumb and gave it a little
tug just as fox terrier would do
with its teeth.
81 looked around and coldly con-
fronted her, grinning broadly.
"'Oh, l said, Miss Hook, l believe,
isn't it?'
"'That's just who it isl began the
dreadful girl, you didn't see me, did
you?'
"'Yes, / saw YOU said,
"'Well, you didn't know me then,
she blurted.
'You-er-had different hat on
believe, when | met YOU | said
eying the derby.
"'Do you always know people by
their hats?' she said.
"'Not always; only sometimes
replied.
"Mrs. Fairfax came to the rescue
! here.
"Isn't it delightful evening" she
said,
"T suppose it is | said. But I'm
so easily scared
"'Terrible thing to have such a shy
disposition said Oleander.
"'You're not troubled that way
Miss Hook remarked.
"'Oh. I'm all right she said. I'm
on earth and don't you forget it.
"'You1l not let me forget it, fear,
said
"'Td hate to he dead on said
| Oleander.
"T wish | could share your views,
| | remarked.
"'Oh, be chubby she said Life is
too short to chew the rag. Let us &c
to the trapeze Lady Jane
81 moved out of Miss Hooks aura
Her relentness gaze followed me.
felt and | knew that she was saying
things.
"About three weeks after ! got 0
note written on the heavy paper OF
the Comb and Brush club with the odd
emblems of the association engraved
on top. The writing looked as though
it had been done With match dipped
in stove polish. 1t said;
Dear Lady Jane: We're 50 to the bad or
our vaudeville show and I guess it's abou
up to you as your name isn't down among
the purchasers and you must have crawlet
| In under the tent. But II won't do, old girl
| Just drop that high and mighty touch me
not air of yours long enough to cough NJ
| 81! And be quick about It, See? Faithful.
| ly yours, OLEANDER HOOK.
Treasurer the Comb and Brush.
N. Y. Sun.
Proof Sufficient.