The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-06-04
By TEMPLE BAILEY.


0HSH~ - w - WV -
A sudden tropic thunderstorm had
tent 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. at
will come down heavily in a minute"
81 don't care" Peggy informed him
recklessly, "if 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 it was
made, and the making only made it
worse. In fact, it's dowdy. Jimmie; a
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 1t doesn't seem to worry
you," he said.
ut did," she admitted as he drew
two chairs back under the awning, and
they sat looking out upon the rain. ut
did awfully when | first came Why,
Jimmie Armstrong, | 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 Ak 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 1t Is my own" Peggy
agreed. But what's a complexion.
Jimmie. without the clothes to set II
of? Now, there's that pale blue chif
fon with the rose wreathed border that
just went in there. and the girl wore
hat with roses around it, 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 | would"
she went on, "and at first 1t worried
me that | couldn't have one. Just as
II worried me that | had to pay Is
cents apiece for oranges when at In
dian river they are selling for cents
a dozen, but 1t doesn't worry me any
more"
"Why not?" he asked
because ! am an outsider" she said
Aunt Alva and | have just enough
money to pay our board-wIthout any
frills. But 1t 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 1t could And |
can't have pretty things like the other
women. so Just keep out and look on
them as | would on a picture.
81 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 l don't
care II my hair is out of curl or my
dresses old fashioned. for ! am only In
the audience and not a 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. We are two of
kind" she said, land now that you
have come we'll forget envy and all
uncharitab leness, aud 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, "and he has asked me
to join his party on a trip up Lake
Worth In his launch. | don't just see
how I can refuse. Could we go to the
alligator farm just as well tomorrow
I'VE could, but we won't" said Peg,
gy promptly. You mustn't neglect
the secretary, Jimmie. You are inside
now, and | am still outside, and-and
the secretary's daughter is the girl
who wore the pale blue and the roses
yesterday
What do | care about the secre-
tarys daughter?' Jimmie demanded
sayagely. 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"
Peggy's tone was gay, but there was
hurt look In her eyes. Aunt Alva Is
dying to see the alligators, and | am
going to get a double basket chair and
take her"
And let me go alone?" he reproached
her.
you can go with the secretary's
daughter" Peggy reminded him as she
went away.
A half hour later, immaculate In his
one linen suit, Armstrong went to the
pier. The secretary was there-big
bluf and hearty-and the secretary's
daughter, all in white, her shining hair