The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-05-21
They
WOULDN'T
POP
She looked in the mirror.
Il am pretty" she declared.

Il am pretty" she declared.
She turned to the right and to the
left; she bowed. famed herself, swung
her train and looked over the top Of
her fan; she slowly backed away,
came forward, dropped courtesy and
did other maneuvers too intricate to
tell, but through 1t all her glance WIS
fixed on the mirror, anxious, unvary-
ing, almost implacable.
Il never looked so WELL" said she
at last.
And with sudden relief she smiled
at herself, even as Eve must have
smiled in secret whenever she reflect
ed that she had no competition for
the affections of old Adam.
"Ill bring some of them to point
tonight. all right" she whispered to
herself as she turned down the light.
So ends the prelude; on with the
dance.
The first waltz is over and she is
sitting on the stairs with Johnny by
her side.
DO you know that you look charm
Ing tonight, Miss Puffins?" he asked.
DO you tell all the girls that?" said
she.
"Never!" he softly exclaimed. ION
my soul l swear it,"
ooh. you men swear anything!"
Il DON'T
And you won't tell any other girl
Tonight that she looks charming?"
Not one"
why not?" she breathed.
And did he say. because love
you?" And did he seize her hand?
And did he press her to him? Not
This Johnny; he was wise. He looked
1t her instead in most provoking
manner and said:
You know why"
Don't neither"
DO, too
Don't neither"
"Do, too"
She arose at last, somewhat hoarse
from her repetition of Don't, neither"
Johnny arose. too, gayly, sprightly and
with the willing air of one who would
say do, too" until the COWS come
home. He led her to her next partner
and there he left her.
"At last" murmured Johnny No. 2.
She gave him melting look.
Let's sit it out" he begged. Its
only square one"
And led her to the stairs; she sat
down in her old place.
"Ah, Miss Puffins." began Johnny
No. 2. Must call you 'Miss?' he in
terrupted himself.
you can't very well call me Mrs.
she sighed.
He countered without an effort.
calculating:
Praise bel"
"Why!" she demanded, and she
looked upon him as though he were
an enemy to the republic.
Because if you were Mrs should
MT have the felicity of sitting here
on the stairs with you"
And would you carer"
Would II"
~Why?" n
Cant you guess?"
NO Tell me-"
I'm afraid"
Don't be afraid, Mr.. Pike. IL
won't mind"
Wont you, really"
mo. Really ! won't"
mo. I'm afraid"
They parted at last. he still vowing
his timidity and she worn out from
encouraging him, and when she took
TDhr T0h n
2 found quiet place. turned his face
to the wall and winked one eye.
"You dance" said Johnny No. 3,
like an angel"
He swung her around.
How do you know" she asked.
"You never saw an angel dance"
He swung her around.
Yes, l have" he said.
"When?' she said.
He swung her around.
This evening" he said.
"Where?" she said.
Here" he whispered I've been
watching you dance all night"
She took him around to the old
stand on the stairs as soon as she
could manage it.
DO you know" she said ecstatical-
ly, Il could dance forever with a
good partner."
Forever" asked Johnny No. g.
We'll, no." she laughed. not for.
ever but all my life!'
And did he say: Then let me be
your partner all your life?" Did he?
Not Johnny No. g; he simply said,
so could l." and he let it go at
that.
She tried them all; she tried them
all. One was witty. one was hand
some. one had an income that was