The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-12-05
Invitations.
youths Companion.)

Tdo putting CldI IOSc III oSlll DuI-
tonhole?" Stella Pierce demanded,
as she ran down the steps from the
porch and joined her brother.
We're not going to be late. They
can't begin the play until Pm there,
anyway. Pm to put on the make
up for them"
They. had walked to the corner to-
gether before Cliff answered shortly,
mo; l didn't think we'd be late
What was it, then? Surely not
because | gave him the rose-a boy
I've known all my life?"
mo. 1t wasn't the thing you did,
But you took such time about it,
and held your face so close to his,
and smiled up at him so. You'd
have been mighty surprised, no
doubt, if he had put his arms round
you and given you hug?"
Stella's head went up haughtily.
What a thing to say to me, Cliff
Pierce! Jem wouldn't dare touch
me. The boys all know they can't
take liberties with me-"
"All the same, your whole manner
was an invitation. You needn't get
angry, sis. know you didn't mean
anything by it, but girls don't un-
derstand how some things seem to
boys, and I've noticed that way
you have with the fellows before.
It's just as # you dared them to
come on. | tell you, you've got to
look out. IL one of 'em should take
you up some day you'd have your
self TO thank
Il consider your remarks insult
ing," said Stella, in high disdain,
and they walked in silence the rest
of the way to the hall where the
amateur theatricals were to be
given.
Once in the midst of the exciting
hurry behind the scenes, Stella for
got her grievance, and taking out
rouge-pot, brushes and pencils began
her work.
Who next?" she asked presently,
as she was completing a pair of
beautif eyebrows for one Of the
girls.
Take Mr.. Atwater!" cried the
busy leading lady" I'VE shall
want him first of all
But l don't need any paint" OBJ
jected the big handsome fellow as
he dropped into the chair before
Stella.
"Of course you do" she retorted,
dimpling down at him. You'd look
like ghost without it behind those
footlights.' -
Then the furry about them went
on, and Stella, recognizing a new
dash of spice in her task, tried to
seem unconscious while she worked
Of the black-eyed stare of adrlira-
ton, which never wavered.
well, Pm reconciled to paint"
young Atwater remarked, meaning
ly, as she put on the finishing touch
es. "My face is yours, to do any
thing you like with it,
"No, thank you," she answered,
roguishly. "Not with ali that rouge
on it."
Take some of it off," he challeng-
ed, and just then it happened that
the leading lady hurried half dozen
performers to the stage, leaving tie
two by themselves for an instant.
'T-don't know where to begin
Stella flung back, still laughing.
Begin with my lips" he said,
with quick step forword, and ten
seconds later Stella stood alone in
the room, ready to stamp the !loor
in helpless rage.
, Il hate hlC1! l haie nm. She
said aloud. "inpertinent! Com
mon! How dare he?" She Was
rubbing the smear Of rouge from
her own angry face, and as she did
so the details Of her own part in the
scene just past flashed before her.
Like a judgment, she heard her
brothers words, Yourself to
thank"
TITS true" she owned to herself,
turning her crimson face away as
three more actors in need Of com
plexions came trooping into the
room. -"Oh, Pm so ashamed