Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-14

with Miss Price on her right and her
spirits rose as course after course was
brought on, each a success, and the
thought constantly in her mind of the
huge joke they We're having on the
D. ELS.
The luncheon was nearly over. when
the conversation turned to school matters,
and Viola asked Miss Price how she
thought she was going to like it.
''Oh. very much" replied the new
teacher. Every one has been so kind
and shown me great hospitality. There
seems to be something going on every
day. Saturday afternoon there was a tea
al Prof. Fairchild's. and Saturday even
day dined out again and yesterday had
a luncheon given ali for me, followed by
a most delightful little musicale"
Another luncheon?'' said Viola. pick
ing up her ears. land who gave it?''
Why. the other society here in school"
said Miss Price. pleasantly. Don't they
call themselves the D. E.'s? And after
the luncheon they had a little musicale
that was perfectly lovely. First they in
vited me for Wednesday. and then with
pro use apologies asked me if l could not
come Monday instead. Really. l haven't
enjoyed myself so much in some-why,
what's the matte. Miss Day..
Miss Day couldn't speak. She cast a
piteous look around the table, and hastily
seized the glass of water. Lou Hall came
to the rescue with some commonplace re-
mark. and Miss Price proceeded to carry
on her entertaining con ,rsation. Not
another girl spoke except Lou, and the
luncheon ended Imply. Miss Price felt
something was wrong, but she couldn't
imagine what, and after a few awkward
moments in the study she pleaded an en-
gagement and left the room.
The girls preserved an absolut, silence
for at least five minutes. and then yio-l
stood up and said she was going to make
speech.
DO you know" she began. II am. .'es
truly and honestly glad. that our luncheon
was a failure. Because, of course, being
a second fiddle like that it was undoubted
~ failure. \ rom beginning to end 1t
was my fault. 1t was / who listened to
a conversation that had no right to
hear; it was l who picked up and read
something not intended for me to see, and,
girls. IL is l who am ready to do SOLE
thing that will give our society back the
good name it always had until today.
For, of course, the d. E. s know perfectly
we'll just why we gave our luncheon in
such a hurry, and no doubt they are
laughing and having beautiful time at
our expense"
The girls said nothing for there was
nothing 10 say, and all escaped as soon
as possible.
Viola wrote at once to her father and
told him the whole story from beginning
to end Papa" she ended. Il want you
to send me enough of my allowance for
the rest of the term to give great big
luncheon. | have made up my mind to
have another one in honor of Miss Price
and the D. Els, and. of course, our girls.
too Now. papa. please don't refuse. as
have thought of this very, very carefully.
and have decided 1t is the best thing to
do
Mr.. Day answered Immediately and sent
the desired check. Remember" he wrote.
cit is your allowance. and there won't be
any more coming till next term
II sounds easy enough. but 1t required
all of Viola's pluck to go to Jessie
Lane, president OF the D. E's. and ask
the entire society for luncheon the fol-
lowing Monday. Jessie gasped with as
tonishrant and said she'd ask the other
girls. They took two days to consider
the matter and then accepted.
And what a luncheon 1t was. Every
thing was a success, and the d. f. s
mingled with the VI. F.'s as though they
had been friends for lie. Each was much
surprised to find how really nice the
others could be. and wondered how they
ever could have thought them dsa gee
able. At the very end Jessie Lane stood
up
Il propose" she said. that the D. f. s
and the NJ F's bury the Ratchet once and
for all and unite in one big society,"
And second the notion cried Viola.
jumping up. with all my heart, too" ard
She leaned over and seized Jessie's hand
And so the bitter rivalry ended and the
societies were one.