Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1906-07-26
Maid Joan
BY Ethel Darlington
Copyright, 1906, on ". II. Cdid,rcU
BY Ethel Darlington

was so acute at times IL touched In
borderland of pain. Her eyes war
dered TO the other occupant Of the box
who had entered late, and she was sur
prised to find his gaze fixed on her !.
recognition. She felt a flush glow ba
meath her olive skin; then she howe,
distantly and with sort of flnaiity
returning TO the study of her pgo
gramme. Ii was one OF the small boXe
tucked far back In the wide balcony o
the academy. but as Joan assured
her mother, music was quite as enjoy
able there az In the more conspicuous
seats
When the solo ended she could not
resist CHANGING toward her companion
or smiling In recognition of their mu
tual enjoyment. Besides, had he not
saved her at his own risk from q
scorching motor car only the week be
fore? At the time she had been SO
startled that she barely thanked him.
her one desire being to avoid the disa-
greeable attention caused by her es-
cape 1t would be only ordinary good
manners to thank him now.
you were very prompt and coura.
| geous the other day" she began gra-
ciously. my thanks were slight, but
don't judge my gratitude by that"
81 trust you suffered no i'll effects
from the adventureT
"No--that is nothing material" Joan
laughed at her own wit, having con
fided to her sister that her rescuer's
fine eyes and rich deep voice had
haunted her ever since. Her laugh
loosened the strain of reserve, so that
they exchanged criticisms on the
orchestra. The girl was delighted 10
find some one as music mad as herself
She rose regretfully when 1t was over,
but he detained her, asking diffidently
"Will you permit me to introduce
myself?"
Accepting the proffered card Joan
recognized a name given by her sister
as that Of fellow guest at their aunt's
recent reception. Her hero. then,
proved all a maid could desire, though
his very prominence left little chance
of further acquaintance.
eff / knew your name" he suggested
hopefully. perhaps mutual friend-I
do want to know you better"
Joan hesitated, but because he was
30 evidently in earnest was tempted
to admit: I'm called Joan, and there
Is at least one person who knows us
both. II sincere you will find out the
rest for yourself" Then she hurried
home.
A tale of tribulatlon greeted her.
Bridget has gone, without a moments
notice." her sister complained Mother
and / have worked all the afternoon.
Joan, I'm distracted you'll help
me-"
"I'm not much good at cooking"
protested Joan, land for a dinner par
ty-Alice. you'll be fright IL you cry
or rub your nose any redder. What
do you want me to do?"
Mother will finish the cooking"
declared Alice. "Will you serve it?
Oh, please" as Joan negatived the sug-
gestion. II should be so Inundated If
compelled to walt on ourselves! There
Will be no one that you know-only
two men,"
'Mr. Clive" inquired Joan. And on
her sister nodding assent she yielded.
with a grimace.
Before going to her mothers as
sistance. however, she could not resist
relating the afternoons meeting. wind
Ing up triumphantly. $50 that my hero
proves to be the exclusive Laurence
Hale"
While dressing Alice thought un-
easily of this revelation. Having told
Joan that the proposed guests were
strangers, II she now confessed Hale
to be one of them would her sister not
refuse the part assigned her? Yet
much depended on the success OF the
evening.
The girls aunt, Mrs. Drew, moved in
the circle Of Philadelphia's elite,
privilege forfeited by their mother on
her marriage to struggling musician.
Or late Mrs. Drew, perhaps because of
Alice's resemblance TO herself, had TAX
en- an interest In her niece and had
given her winters gayety. an sdvan-
tage Alice now planned to follow up
with an informal dinner I'm order that
her mother might meet Give. who had !
shown her considerable attention. Be |
fore Bridget's DETECTION everything had |
promised well; even now there need be |
no failure II Joan fulfilled her promise. |
'Will dol" demanded Joan, rushing
In arrayed In regulation black with a |
white apron, her naturally wavy hair
drawn severely back and pinned close
" around her head.
Alice felt treasured. Joan looked 80 |
1emurely prim.
She received the guests, SO Joan did
not see them until she announced soft
y, Dinner ID served" when meeting
he astonished gaze Of Laurence Hale
ME ned precipitately back to the dining
'oom. Enraged that such trick should |
have been played her. her frst thought
Vas Of throwing up the task and leav-
ne the little party to SHIFT for itself.
me harm. h0wever, was done. Alice's
'yes pleaded for forgiveness, which
loan willfully misunderstood by OFFER
ne her the olives. She watched Give
With curiosity. discovering that though |
10 was deferential to her mother and
ook bis part In HE conversation he
eemed to think only OF her sister, and
nth rush Of tender sympathy Joan
orgave the embarrassment Of her own