The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1907-12-01
The Ugly
Duckling.
By JAMES SPRAGUE.
copyrighted, 1907. by P. C. Eastment

.
There was decided tendency among
the Scholars of the summer school to
overlook little Miss Smell. But pretty
Miss Biscoe defended her.
''She may be frumpy,' she declared.
land l never saw such clothes, but
she is nice when you know her"
Most of the scholars at the SKINNER
school were teachers, who were MAX
ing up in the six weeks course the
deficiencies of early education or pre-
pairing for higher grades.
In winter little Miss Smell taught in
district school. Her summer school
experience marked the first milestone
of travel. Never before had she been
out OF her native township. Never be-
fore had she met such wonderful girls
as these who came from the e cities,
with all the daintiness of city gowning
and city grooming.
At home Miss Smell had considered
her oNe thick suit and two lawn dress
es a sufficient and elegant wardrobe,
especially as it was supplemented by
six white waists, two of which were
embroidered by her own hands, one in
a prim daisy pattern and one with
chrysanthemums.
At the summer school, however, even
the embroidered waists seemed made
quate as compared TO Miss Biscoe's
delicate lingerie blouses, with their
short sleeves and frilly effects. Miss
SHELLS waists had linen cuffs and stiff
collars, which emphasized the plain
ness of her little, pointed face. her
straight banded hair, her spare, girlish
figure
Its too bad" Miss Biscoe said the
night of the first reception given by
the faculty to the summer school
scholars Its too bad. I don't believe
she is having good time. You go over
and talk to her"
You are trying to get rid Of me-,
Owen Marvin complained. He was
principal Of high school at home and
( was unmarried. He had never seen a
| girl quite 50 knowing and engaging as
I Miss Biscoe and he was beginning to
| think seriously OF asking her to marry
! him
mo. | am not Miss Biscoe's blue
! eyes spanked. But hate to see any
/ one look SO lonely as that poor little
/ thing Come on And she swept
I away, all her pink chiffon frills a-fiut-
| ter, and there was nothing for him to
do but to follow
Miss Smell frightened up as they
came toward her She thought she
had never seen anything so pretty as
Miss Biscoe. You look like a pink
rose" she said as Miss Biscoe drop
ped into a big chair beside her and in
troduced Owen Marvin.
'.He lives in the next town to you.'
| Miss Biscoe.. explained. ."'and I think
| you ought to know each other
,"Oh," said little Miss Smell, blushing
Il have heard of you SO often, Mr.
Marvin
He had not heard of her, but hs
murmured polite ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Miss Biseoe slipped away presently
and he found himself rather enjoyin:
the rapt attention with which thi.
mouse of a girl accepted all his state
ments. Miss Biscoe had a way O
making him feel uncouth and clumsy
but TO Miss Smell be lowered as
giant of intellect, and she seemed t
hang upon his words.
They ate their ice cream together
I and it was not until Miss Biscoe gam
back. radiant and rosy, that he dis
covered that Miss Smell was exceed
ingly unattractive in appearance.
Why don't she dress herself right :?
he asked. with a decided sense of irri
tation, as he took Miss Biscoe home
"Oh, you men." sniled Miss DISCO
: as they came to Divinity hall, whic
in summer served as the women
dormitory "Oh, you men. You max
us So frivolous. -
well" he said, why can't she hav
some things like this" and he touche
3 little awkwardly the f1lmy laces {
Miss Biscoe's wrap.
+ Miss Biscee drew back go wa.
little body she said ..Tll see you |
: the morning." And away she ran
the moonlight
! And he needn't think he is going |
make love to me-" she confded to Mis-
: Murray. who roomed with her. ID
cause I am engaged already"
You're a firt." Miss Murray tol
her
{ NO. Miss Biscoe said. ..but b
thinks so much of himself, and l Ill
$ to tease him.
''And he viii fall in love. and the