Democratic messenger., 1908-01-04


thing And I've shaved and scrubbed
and done washing TO earn money
enough TO pay for my course. But even
II do learn stenography. who will hire
me? What do they want with me when
they can gcl girls like you and Miss
Layton? There's something wrong
with me. What Is it?'
Grace laid friendly hand on the
neaving shoulders.
81 think 1t Is your name-and your
hair"
Violet sat up very straight.
"My what?"
"Your name and your hair. You see.
one always thinks OF violet as some
thing small and shrinking and delicate.
and you-wcll. you are six feet tall
with that pompadour. You cannot
change your name. but you can change
your hair"
The weeks that followed were like
fairyland trips TO Violet. whose mother
had read herself into mental and phys
ical inertia on diet of novels. while
her father had tried TO wrest gold from
that Grace Saunders was merely study.
ing bookkeeping and stenography In or
der to help her father. whom she
adored. and that she had time between
studies TO do the most wonderful sew
Ing Violet had ever seen. But first she
taught Violet how to dress her hair,
low and soft in puffs above her ears
L.. NI... saN hnF
neck; then how to do Delsarte exer-
cises 10 acquire ease and TO feed GER
tain angles with massage cream.
The change was gradual. but one day
when Violet waited on the table In
frock made with deep rufIies that broke
her height and soft frills at throat and
wrist young Graham looked puzzled.
Seems like violets do bloom some
times rather late In life" he remarked
as he took the entire circle of boarders
into his confidence. But would like
10 know how she became shorter"
"Some girls are born with feminin-
ity." remarked Grace Saunders gently.
like Miss Layton. for instance"
Whereat the little stenographer dim
pied delightfully."- and young Graham
beamed approval. And some girls
have to acquire It. like Violet. Just
as soon as she dropped exaggerated
high heels. lowered her pompadour
and wore fluffy frocks instead of
straight lines she became feminine and
attractive. Such is the psychological
influence of frocks. hut under 1t all
she had always a most charming na
turc and brilliant mind"
YES. and she makes such good fudge.
| never tasted better In my college
days"
II was Professor Kinds who spoke,
and In the sudden silence every one
stared at him. Who would have
thought the man behind the glasses
cared for fudge? And then somehow
1t dawned upon the circle of boarders
that the professor was looking very
young and had yes-he had some wild
vi0lets, the first of the warm early
spring, in his buttonhole He took of
his glasses and glanced around with
amusement.
"Why not? always was partial to
violets."
Mrs. Brent slipped her hand under
the tabecloth and found Grace Saun-
ders' palpitating finger tips.
"You knew all the time" she whis-
pered.
Rather! II was my idea. but the
professor took To II with amazing alac-
rIty"
And then pretty Miss Layton sprang
from her chair and pushed the aston
ished young waitress. who had just
entered the place. beside the profess
or.
THE idea of announcing an engage
ment with the bride TO be out of the
room! | insist upon passing the hot
cakes this morning
And then, with the memory of that
first day and the wave OF amusement
that had gradually changed TO respect
and admiration for the girl and her
pluck and her adaptabillty. the board
ers of Mrs. Brent's select and homelike
establishment rose and solemnly drank
toast In the coffee for which Mrs.
Brent was famous:
ITO Violet" cried young Graham.
And this time no one laughed. but
the tenderness which comes when
loves wings fiutter close seemed to
soften every eye that looked upon
the happy professor and the happier
girl.