Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-02-04
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Sit here. please said Fanny as she
stood with her shapely hands upon the
back of chair that she had drawn a
little way ont from the table 1t was
the boast Of the proprietor that he had
the. handsomest lot of mattresses on
the road. and the queen of the collec-
ton was Fanny Mccain. That's how
she happened to be head waitress. for
she could not know much Of the busi-
ness. She had come to tine place part
~ because her widowed mother was
poor and partly TO crafty consuming
desire to pose as the prettiest girl
there. for she had been consulting her
mirror
The fireman frowned. but took a seat
next to the proprietor of the Mint Ju-
lep. The tireman's face, newly wash
ed and hardly rubbed glisicned in the
glare of the electric light. and the
same light played upon the jeweIed
hands and immaculate shirt front Of
the Julep man. The fireman bowed
superiority in the matter of dress and
personal appearance. smiled.
The head waitress. taking position
at one of the windows. stood looking
at the two men. both of whom had
made love to her. She had purposely
one frame rs 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 ac-
knowiedged it to him-but she was
dazzlel ny The handsome. well groom.
cd proprietor Of the Mint Iulep. Once
or twice tie fireman yentured to look
up but each time lie saw her gazing
upon his rival ai.. his heart was filled
with dread
What time shall cail?" he asked
as Fanny handed him his ticket.
Not before 8. | detest being first ii
a ballroom"
Suppose We say $50: 1t will be 8
by the time we reach the hail."
Nine" said Fanny. nodding at the
Julep man as be passed out, with bis
chinchilla thrown gracefully over his
shoulders.
But I'm on the reception commit
tee.'
Then go and 'reccp' and come back
for me. sllan't leave the house be
fore o. Ny. how gay you are"'
The fireman went out with n heavy
heart. ranag was getting or. She
had not used such language % i.'n be-
fore. and It cu, him 10 Tho quick. lie
remembered how liz Lad begged her to
keep out of the eating house and tried
to hint TO her mother that the place
was full of lures.
Its only Il short step in the direc-
tion of danger. he said "A public
dinner room. camp meeting. the skat
ing rink. and
stop" said E'anay's mother. Il will
not have you hint even that Fanny is
capable of being bad"
And so the fireman bad been power
less to prevent tie plre young girl
from putting herself III this position.
Promptly II 3 O'Clock lie called for
Fanny. She would be out In mo
ment. her nctlrr sail.
During the half hoar In which Or
waited for Tie expiration Of WON.
ans moment" the fireman noticesl a
also he noticed that FanDy's mother
was a little reserved Fanny herself.
while amply deliberate. was irritable
and nervous. Conversation seemed 70
20 slowly will them. like heavy
train on an up grade.
When they entered the ballroom. the
fiddlers were already litldIlng and they
fell in line for the opening walk
round
Over in one end of the hail there was
bank Of plants and ferns. leaned by
leading citizens fer the fremen's an
nual ball. and iust III fronf Of the oasis
stood the Julep man immaculate as
ever and wearing iie only evening
dress suit in the rooli.
He was radiant anl all the more SO
by comparison. FOR lsat few Of the
respectable s;.:.s worn rs the fremen
and their friends were beginning to
take on that nmElislakalsle shine that
comes With as.e
oh Isaas exclaimed Mrs Wolf
slime to isqf husband. what beauti
full young lady Who Is ssses'
-She ecs not what yon say-a lady.
She is waitress from zee eating house"
And who is the handsome gentle
man writing Oh her card."
HE ees not one gentleman, my dear
He ees re proprietor of re Mint Ulep."
Now Mrs. Wolfstne marvelesl that
this man should be there dancing with
the daughters of the best families in
the growing western town. But why
should he not be there? Every fire.
man on the division had sold or tried
to sell hila il tleket for The annual ball.
The fireman was surprised upon TAX
ing Fanny's card 10 find that his rival
had already written upon II.
A half an hour later be took the card
again to select number and found the
face of ii bla & with -JuIep. IuIep.
Julep."
This man lad been called by that
name so much that be bad come to an
swer to il ard write il. Indeed. few
people In the place knew that he 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 ball a
SUGGEST
For some people it was decided
success"
!. u - = 49,.