The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-02-15
INVITATIONS.
Gara Finds Her Aannef = Little Tee
Free and Rmtfc1Mg.

Free and 6Mt1C1n8e
.sClif, what made you scowl while
was putting that rose In Jem's button
hole?' Stella Pierce demanded, as she
ran down the, steps from the porch and
Joined her brother. Were not going
to be late. They can't begin the play
until I'm there, anyway. I'm to put on
the makeup for Them"
They had walked to the corner to-
gether before Cliff answered, shortly
NO, l didn't think we'd be late"
"What was it, then? Surely not be
cause l gave him the rosa boy I've
known all my life?"
mo. 1t wasn't the thing you did.
But you took such time about it,
and held your face SO close to his,
and smiled up at him so. You'd have
been mighty surprised, no doubt, If he
had put his arms round you and given
you. hug?"
Stella's head went up haughtiiy.
'What a thing, to say to me, Gilt
Pierce! Jem wouldn't dare touch me.
The boys all know they can't take lib
critics with me-"
"All the same, your whole manner
was an invitation. You needn't get an
cry, sis I knew you didn't mean any
thing by it, but girls don't understand
how some things seem to boys, and
I've, noticed that way you have with
the fellows before. It's just as IL you
dared them to come on, l tell you,
you've got to look out. If one Of 'em
should take you up some day you'd
have yourself to thank"
II consider your remarks insulting -
said Stella, in high disdain, and they
walked in silence the rest of the way to
the hall where the amateur theatricals
were to be given.
Once in the midst of the exciting hur-
nv behind the scenes, Stella forgot her
grievance, and taking out rougepot,
brushes and pencils, began her work.
"Who next?" she asked, presently,
as she was completing a pair Of beau
tiful eyebrows for one Of the girls.
'Take Mr.. Atwater!' cried the busy
leading lady" 1--WE shall want him
first of all"
But l don't need any paint" OBJ
jected the big, handsome fellow, as he
dropped into the chair before Stella.
"Of course you do" she retorted,
dimpling down at him. you'd look
like ghost without it behind those
footlights"
Then the furry about them went on,
and Stella, recognizing new dash of
spice in her task, tried to seem uncon-
scious while she worked of the black
eyed stare Of admiration. which never
wavered.
"Well, I'm reconciled to paint, young
Atwater remarked. meaningly, as she
put on the, finishing touches. ."My face
is yours, to do anything you like with
It,"
mo, thank you,' she answered.
roguishly. Not with all that rouge
on"
Take some Of it off," he challenged,
and just then it happened that the
leading lady hurried half dozen per-
formers to the stage, leaving the two by
themselves for an instant.
'I-don't know where to begin," Stel-
la flung back, still laughing.
Begin with my lips" he said, with
quick step forward, and ten seconds
later Stella stood alone in the room,
ready to stamp the floor in helpless
rage.
Il hate him! / hate him." she said,
aloud "Impertlnent! Common! How
dared he?" She was rubbing the smear
Of rouge from her own angry face, and
as she die 30 the details of her own
part in the scene just past flashed be-
fore her. Like judgment, she heard
her brothers words, Yourself to
thank"
Its true" she owned to herself,
turning her crimson face away as three
more actors in need of compilations
came trooping into the room. "0h, Pm
ashamed !'-YOuth's COMPANION.