Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-12-26
The Ugly
Duckling.
B, JANIS SPRAGUE.
copyrighted. 1906. by P. {. Eastmcnt.

MINIS biNtbt utltil'iCh
"She may be frnmpy," she declared,
'and never saw such clothes. but
she is nice when you know her"
Most of the scholars at the summer
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
a district school. Her summer school
experience marked the first milestone
of travel. Never before had she bees,
out of her native township. Never be.
fore had she met such wonderful girls
as these who came from the bis cities
with all the daintiness OF city .yowninc
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
prim daisy pattern and one with
clrysanthenums.
At the summer school. however, even
the embroidered waists seemed made
quatc as compared to Miss Biscoc'S
delicate lingerie blouses, with their
short sleeves and frilly effects Miss
Smells waists had linen cuffs and stiff
collars, which emphasized the plain
| peSs 81 her little, pointed face, her
straight landed hair her spare, girIish
figure
Its too bad Miss Biscoe said the
night Of the first reception given by
the faculty to the summer school
scholars It's too bad. ] don't believe
she is having good time. You go over
and talk to her,
You are trying TO get rid of me-"
| Dven Marvin complained. He was
| principal of a high school ut home ana
y rs unmarried. He had never seen Il
| girl quite so knowing and engaging as
| Miss Biscoe. and he WIS beginning Ia
think seriously of asking her to marry
| him.
NO. am not Miss Biscoes blue
| eyes rparkcd. Iiut | hate to sec any
one look SO lonely az that poor little
thing Come on" And she swept
! an0y all her PINK ch.'aa rrills a-llnt-
| ter. ana here w4S nothing for hun to
10 but to fallow
Miss Sne' frightened up MS they
came toward hes. She thought she
lad never seen anything 50 pretty as
| Miss Ei&coc You look like pink
rose" She said as Miss Bisooe drop
pol into big chair beside her and in
trodncci Owen Marvin.
| Tile lives in the next town to YOU
Miss Biscoe explained and think
| vou ought to know each other"
oh said little Miss Shell, blushing,
Il have heard of YOU so often. Mr..
| Marvin
He had not heard of her. but he
murnured polite acknowledgements
Miss Biscoe slipped away presently.
and he found himself rather enjoying
| the rapt attention with which this
mouse of girl accepted all his state
ments. Miss Biscoe had way Of
making him feel uncouth and clumsy.
but to Miss Smell be lowered as Il
giant Of intellect. and she seemed TO
hang upon his words.
Ihey ATE tnelf Ice cream together,
and it was not until Miss Biscoe came
back. radiant and rosy, that he dis
covered that Miss Smell was exceed
lngly unattractiye in appearance.
why don't she dress herself right -
he asked, with decided sense Of irri-
tation, as he took Miss Blscoe home.
"Oh, you men," smiled Miss Blscoe
as they came to Divinity hail. which
in summer served as the women's
dormitory, "Oh, you men! You make
us so frivolousw
"Well,' he said, why can't she have
some things like this" and he touched
little awkwardly the flmy laces OF
Miss Blscoe's wrap.
Miss Biscoe drew back. Go way.
little body she said "Tll see you in
the morning" And away she ran in
the moonlight.
Ana he needn't think he is going to
make love to me- she confded 10 Miss
Murray, who roomed with her. DE
cause am engaged already"
You're flirt," Miss Murray told
her
H''' piSIot Sdlu, Out ne
thinks so much OF himself and | like
to tease him"
And he Will fall in love. and then
WHAT probed Miss Murray.
Hunt" unused Miss BIscoe. who wss
orushlng her pretty hair II really
ought to find him another girl. Clara.
ana switch him off. you know"
Well you won't" prophesied Miss
Murray. You will just lead him ON
But the next morning Miss Biscoe
announced, Il thought of MARRYING
him to you, Clara. but | knew Won
would never give up your career for
any man, and so | have decided to
nand him over to little Miss Smell"
Miss Murray, who was making their
morning coffee over an alcohol Iomn
turned around quickly. What" she
SAID that frumpy little thing."
It's her Clothes" Miss Biscoe ex-
planned. You wait, Clara. I'm going
10 play fairy godmother. owe her
something anyhow When you were
away last week and had one OF nv
headaches she came In and
h.