The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-05-23
The0utsiders
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

6hoAotonotos0oH oaohOnoaOtS
A sudden tropic thunderstorm had
sent all the women flying into the big
hotel like flock of snowy birds.
Peggy, following them slowly. met
Armstrong on the wide porch.
you'd better hurry in," he said. ut
will come down heavily in minute"
81 don't care" Peggy Informed him
recklessly, 'ff it pours."
you'll spoil your gown" he admon-
ished.
Peggy shrugged her shoulders. "Ac-
cording to Palm Beach ethics" she in
formed him. my gown is already
spoiled. 1t was spoiled before 1t was
made. and the making only made it
worse. In fact, it's dowdy. Jimmie; 4
very dowdy gown"
His quick glance questioned her, and
then as he saw the laughter in her blue
eyes his own brown eyes laughed back.
AT least it doesn't seem to worry
you" he said.
at did," she admitted as he drew
two chairs back under the awning, and
they sat looking out upon the rain. "It
did awfully when l first came. Why,
Jimmie Armstrong. I never dreamed Of
such clothes as the women wear here.
1t isn't just their dresses; it's their
hats and their shoes and their wells
and the way they fix their hair and
their compilations. They are like lot
Of princesses''-
you needn't talk about complex
IONS" Armstrong said doggedly: you've
got complexion of your own
"Well, at least It is my own" Peggy
agreed. But what's complexion,
Jimmie. without the clothes to set 1t
of? Now, there's that pale blue chif-
fon with the rose wreathed border that
Just went In there. and the girl wore a
hat with roses around 1t, and her para
sol had pale pink coral handle" She
leaned forward impressively. Jimmie,
how do you think would look in that
gown"
"Out of sight," said Jimmie prompt
ly.
Peggy nodded. 81 believe l would"
she went on, land at first 1t worried
me that couldn't have one. just as
1t worried me that had to pay Is
cents apiece for oranges when at In
dian river they are selling for 8 cents
a dozen, but It doesn't worry me any
more"
why not?" he asked.
Because am an outsider" she said.
Aunt Alva and I have just enough
money to pay our board-without any
frills. But it is doing her lots of good
the climate and the chance to see
things-and simply made up my mind
to get all out of It could. And l
can't have pretty things like the other
women, so just keep out and look on
them as would on picture.
II have all sorts of names for them
that dashing. restless widow who af-
fects red is the Crimson Rambler and
the girl with the pink roses is Lady
June and that tall girl in mauve Is
The Orchid'-and in that way don't
feel envious or hateful, and don't
care If my hair is out of curl or my
dresses old fashioned, for I am only in
the audience and not part of it,
She stopped, her cheeks glowing
Jimmie looked at her with admiration.
81 am an outsider. too" was his state.
ment. "a government stenographer
out for a weeks vacation with only
one suit of white linen isn't in it."
Peggy laughed. I'VE are two of a
kind" she said, land now that you
have come well forget envy and all
uncharitableness, and tomorrow morn
ing We'll go together to the alligator
farm"
But In the morning Jimmie came to
her with apologies. THE secretary Is
here" he said, land he has asked me
to join his party on a trip up Lake
Worth in his launch. l don't Just see
how | can refuse. Could we go to the
alligator farm just as well tomorrow p
I'VE could but we won't" said Peg
gy promptly. you mustn't neglect
the secretary, Jimmie. You are inside
now, and l am still outside, and-and
the secretary's daughter is the cir
who wore the pale blue and the roses
yesterday
what do care about the secre
tary's daughterT Jimmie demanded
savagely. You know It's only because
! can't afford to offend the secretary
that am not going with you. Peggy
please don't worry about that
| BQUOVtQ wa htrf fhar N
hurt look in her eyes. Aunt Alva Is
dying to see the alligators. and l am
going to get double basket chair and
take her.
"And let me go alone 2" he reproached