Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-06-12

use her store of learning. When Jack
NARROW gave her Hearts" Sallie
said that hearts were sometimes made
OF adamant, then straightway poured
an entire column of adamantine in
formation into Jacks astonished ear.
Eleanor's first partner was Ted
Brown. He fumbled in his pocket and
brought forth a scrap of paper on
which he had scrubbed a list OF
| words.
Your subject is Silence" said
Ted. with twinkle in his eye. "Or
would you rather have 'Prunes'"
'Tm-Tm satisfied" murmured
Eleanor, with al answering twinkle
Not another word did Eleanor say
until the bell rang. Thea she leaned
forward to say, blushingly, Il liked
that topic"
You handled 1t beautifully" re-
piled Ted. Don't tell. I'm going
to give it to all the others, and see
if they're bright enough to keep
STILL"
with a mischievous smile. She knew
him only too we'll. He was the boy
who always grinned delightedly when
ever she said 81 don't know" In class.
The color rose in her cheeks. She
determined suddenly that wild horses
should not drag the phrase Il don't
know" from her lips during that in
terview.
What can you tell me about Aris-
totle," asked the boy, wickedly initial
ing Mr.. Mobiles drawl
Lots" said Eleanor. suddenly
Frightening to a degree that surpris-
ed the boy. HE happens to be our
old tlackand-white cat, and he has
taken a woolly puppy to raise. When
the PUPPY doesn't behave. Aristotle
boxes his ears. We call him Aristotle
because the puppy's name in Alexan-
der the Great You know it was
Aristotle who supervised the educa.
ton of Alexander"
Encouraged by the establishment In
the boys frank eyes, Eleanor ratified
off the entire history of the family
cat. The five minutes seemed in
credibly short. Eleanor felt distinct
ly elated She had always wanted
to astonish that grinning boy
When the next youth shuffled into
the seat at her table, Eleanor realiz-
ed that she was by no means the
most bashful person at the party. /.
certainly seemed a most anxious mo-
ment for her new partner He fumb.
led IN all his pockets, upset a vase,
opened and closed a quivering mouth
several times without saying any
thing. and finally blurted a solitary
word:
'Fjshin'."
why" said Eleanor, suddenly con-
scious of a strong. almost motherly
desire to relieve the lads embarrass-
ment, 81 don't know much about fish
ing. but l guess we'd both rather go
fishing than attend parties"
Il certainly would" confded the
boy, gratefully, ''but mother made
me come. This collars scraping the
skin off my ear. Must fellow stay
till it's over?"
Recognizing a diffidence even great
er than her own, Eleanor devoted
the next four minutes to making her
unhappy partner as comfortable as
possible. She was able, too, to hand
him over gracefully to his next part
hot
her own foolish fears were vanishing.
She was actually having a good time.
After that things went smoothly
enough.
Her ninth partner was Grandfather
Bennington. Eleanor, with a new
born ease that sat beoomingly, slipp-
ed tito the chair at his side, and
said. smilingly:
Coed evening, Mr. Bennington!
Have you a topic for me?"
well, now" replied Grandfather
Be2nir gton. who looked fatlgued, I'm
not sure whether it's safe to let you
talk any or not. Sallie Denniscn-
your. sister. guess-has just
filled this trumpet clear to the
brim with Portland cement, and my
heads whirling round like a top. -
little nap might be more beneficial
than conversation. l tried to head
Sallie off. bullets try a little gold
en- silence. You can be thinking up
something to say next time"
Eleanor nodded smilingly and lean
ed back in her chair. The old man
dozed in his. The five minutes pass
ed pleasantly for both.
When all the conversations had
been finished and the votes counted,
Frances announced the result Sew
eral girls had received one vote apiece.
But each of the Dennison girls had
three votes.
Its a tie,' announced Frances.
did everybody vote"
Your grandfather didn't" prompt
ed Sallie, hopefully. After all told
him about Cement he can't help
voting for me. Twas simply grand.
1t was 'Macadamized Roads he ask
ed for, but l knew more about 'Ce-
ment,' so l just gave him tons"
You're to vote, grandpa" explain
ed Frances, proffering a slip, for the
girl whose conversation pleased You
most"
HUM" said the old gent'As:an,
frankly. 81 can't say that any of
them pleased me overmuch. Tried