The Press., 1908-01-15
The Vgly
 Duckling.
By JAMES SPRAGUE.
Copyrighted, 19O7, by P. c. Eastment.

| Miss BiScoe defended her. .r-
 "She may be frumpy," she declared ''and I never saw such clothes, but she is nice. when you know her" Most of the, scholars at the summer school were. teachers, who were mak- ing up in the Six weeks course the deficiencies of early education or pre- pairing for higher grades. l In winter little Miss Shell taught in 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 as these who came from the big cities, with all the" daintiness of city gowning and city grooming.
 At home Miss Shell had considered her one thick suit and two lawn dress es a sufficient and elegant wardrobe, especially as 1t was supplemented by six white waists, two of which were embroidered by her own hands, one in prim daisy pattern and one with chrysanthemums.
 At the summer school, however, even the embroidered waists seemed made -quate as compared to Miss Biscoes delicate lingerie blouses, with their short sleeves and frilly effects. Miss Shells waists had linen cuffs and stiff collars, which emphasized the plain ness of her little, pointed face, her straight banded hair. her spare, girlish figure.
 ''It's too bad Miss Biscoe said the | v,{r Df evix- H,v, the faculty to the summer school scholars. "It's too bad. don't believe she.is having a good time. You go over and talk to her.'
 "You are trying to get rid of me-" Owen Marvin complained. He was principal of high school at home and was unmarried. He had never seen a girl quite so knowing and engaging as Miss Biscoe, and he was beginning to think seriously of asking her to marry him.. .:. .s& s@s
 "No,I am not" Miss Biscoe's blue eyes sparkled But hate to see any one look so lonely as that poor little thing. Come on." And she swept away, all her pink chiffon frills a-fiut- I ter, and there was nothing for him to do but to follow
 > Miss Shell frightened up as they came toward her She thought she had never seen anything so pretty as 1 Miss Biscoe You look like a pink rose," she said as Miss Biscoe drop ped into big chair beside her and in- l troduced Owen Marvin.
 "He lives in the next town to you," ! Miss Biscoe explained, "and I think 1 you ought to know each other" ,.- ""Oh,' said little Miss Shell, blushing. 'I have heard of. you so often, Mir Marvin
 He had not heard of her, but he murmured pelites acknowledgements. 4Miss Biscoe slipped away presently, and he found himself rather enjoying the rapt attention Nth which this mouse of girl accepted all his state :. ments. Miss Biscoe had a way of 1. making him feel uncouth and clumsy, l but to Miss Shell be lowered as l giant of intellect, and she seemed to 1 hang upon his words.
 They ate their ice cream together, I and it was not until Miss Biscoe came back, radiant and rosy, that he dis ! covered that Miss Shell was exceed ingly unattractive in appearance "Why don't she dress herself right2" he asked, with decided sense of irri- tation, as he took Miss Biscoe home. 1, "Oh, you menv' smiled Miss Biscoe as they came to Divinity hall, which in summer served as the women's dormitory. "Oh, you men! You make us so frivolousr' i "Well,' he said, why can't she have I some things like this," and he touched a little awkwardly the fllmy laces of Miss Biscoe's wrap.
 r. Miss Biscoe drew back. GO way, little body she said. "I'll see you i'll the morning." And away she ran in the moonlight.
 And he needn't think he is going to makealove to me-" she conf1ded to Miss Murray, who roomed with her, "be- cause am engaged already
 You're a fiirt," Miss Murray told her. .....&
 "tNo," Miss Biscoe said, but he thinks so much of himself, and I like to tease him."
 
 swhatT', probed Miss Murray. . "Humr' musedsMiss Biscoe, who was brushing her pretty hair "I really ought to find him another girl, Clara, and switch him off, you know" Well, you won't" prophesied Miss Murray. You will just lead him on."
 But the next morning Miss Biscoe announced. CT thought of marrying him to you, Clara, but knew you would never give up your career for any man, and so have decided to hand him over to little Miss She'll"
 Miss Murray who was making their morning coffee over an alcohol lamp turned around quickly What" she said, that frumpy little thingr'
 Its her clothes," Miss Biscoe ex- plained You wait. Clara. I'm going to play fairy godynother awe her something anyhow. When you were away last week and I had one of my splitting headaches she came in and was as sweet as she could be- She took care of me like a born nurse, and I turned everybody else out. You know what a bear am when I have head acheS Clara"
 Indeed I do,' said Miss Murray feeIingly.
 :'Well, she didn't seem to mind. She hung over me and sattup with me, and 1t was when, I..made her put on my blue silk dressing gown and she had Tier hair down that, discovered that She was pretty