La Junta tribune., 1908-02-08
The Vely-
Duckling.
d, JAMES srRAcuE.
Copyrighted, lm7, b, p. c. EA.,msn,.

There was n decided tendency among
the scholars OF the summer school TO
overlook little Miss Smell. But pretty
Miss Biscoe defended her.
''Shc may be frumpy." she declared.
''and | never SAW such clothes. but
she IL nice when YOU know her"
Most OF the scholars at the summer
school were teachers. who We're max
ing up In the six weeks course the
deficiencies OF early education or pre-
paring for higher grades.
In winter little Miss Smell taught In
4 district school. Her summer school
experience marked the first milestone
of travel Never before had she been
out OF her native township. Never be-
fore had she met such wonderful girls
rs these who came from the big cities,
with all the daIntiness of city gownlng
and city grooming,
At home Miss Smell had considered
her one thick suit and two lawn dress
es a sufficient and elegant wardrobe.
especially ~ IT was supplemented by
six white waists. two of which We're
embroidered by her own hands. one In
q prim daisy pattern and one with
chrysanthemums.
At the summer school. however. even
the embroidered waists seemed made.
quate as compared TO Miss BIscoe's
delicate lingerie blouses, with their
short sleeves and frilly effects. Miss
Sncll's waists had linen cuffs and stiff
collars, which emphasized the plain.
ness OF her little. pointed face. her
straight banded hair. her spare. glrlfsh
figure.
ITS too bad Miss Blscoe said the
night Of the first reception given by
the faculty to the summer school
scholars. Its too bad. I don't believe
she Is having u good time. You go over
and talk to her
''You are trying to get rid of me-
Owen Marvin complained. He was
principal OF a high school AT home and
was unmarried He had never seen a
girl quite 50 knowing and engaging rs
Miss Biscoc. and he was beginning 10
think seriously of asking her to marry
him
NO, | am not" Miss Biscoe's blue
eyes sparklcd. But hate to see any
one look so lonely as that poor little
away. all her pink chiffon frills a-flut-
ter. and there was nothing for him 10
do but TO follow.
Miss Smell frightened mp as they
came toward her She thought she
had never seen anything 80 pretty as
Miss BiscOe "Yom look like a pink
rose" she said rs Miss Biscoe drop
ped into big chair beside her and In
tro,luced Owen Marvin.
"Hc lives In the next town to you"
Miss Biscoe explained. ''and l think
you ought to know each other"
"Oh." said little Miss Smell blushing.
II have heard OF you so often. Mr..
Marvin"
He had not heard Of her but he
murInured polite Acknowledgements
Miss Biscoe slipped away presently,
and he found himself rather enjoying
the rapt attention with which this
mou'c of n girl accepted all his state
menta. Miss Riscoe had way OF
making him feel uncouth and clumsy.
tbu, to Miss Smell be lowered as
gian, OF Intellect. and she seemed to
hang upon his words.
They ate their ice cream together.
and it was not until Miss Biscoe came
back, radiant and rosy, that he dis
covered that Miss Smell was exceed
ingly nnattractive in appearances.
why don't she dress herself right"
he asked. with decided sense of irri-
tation. as lie took Miss Biscoe home.
"Ol. you mem smiled Miss Biscoe
as they came To Divinity hall, which
in summer served as the women's
dormiiory. "Ol. you men. You make
ns so frivolous"
We'll" he said. why can't she have
some things Ike this" and he touched
a little awkwardly the hlmy laces of
Miss Eiscoc's wrap.
Miss Biscoe drew back Go way.
little holy" She said. "Ili see you in
the morning And away she ran in
the moonlight.
".Nnd he needn't think he is going to
make love to me-" she confided to Miss
Murray, who roomcd with her, be
cause am engaged already"
you're nirt," Miss Murray told
her.
NO" Miss Biscoe said, "bnt he
to tease him.
"And he will fall in love, and then
what?" probed Miss Murray,
Hum" unused Miss Biscoe, who was
brushing her pretty hair. Il really
ought to find him another girl. Clara.
and switch him or you know"
well. you won't" prophcsied Miss
Murray ..ynu will inst Iend him IN -