The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-05-06
SNUBBED

81 shall snub him." declared Ray,
vindictively. II hate lions" She
shifted with disdain, and glanced at
the admiring circle about her. But.
Ray" eXpostulated Alice, who was
chairman of the dance committee,
you know he's heard SO much about
you, captain of the basket ball team,
and all that-of course, he'll expect
you to dance with him at least
twice" Alice did not want the
guest of honor to find the dance
lacking in any respect. Ray tossed
her head. Il shall not dance with
him at all, she said, grimly; and
everyone knew that she meant what
she said.
1t was an unusual thing for
girl to do-to refuse in advance to
meet the guest Of honor-the leader
of the Glee Club, which the girls OF
Glover Hall were to entertain at a
dance after enjoying concert by the
club.
At the concert Ray could not sup
press look OF triumph at Alice.
The leader Of the club was rather
self-important looking. II knew I
shouldn't like him. she whispered.
Emily has talked so much about
him that I'm sick of his very name.
! always detest people l am expected
~ hA
designating a good looking but un-
important youth in the back row. I
shall ask to be introduced to him."
Which she did, after the concert had
been smoothly but hurriedly rem
dered.
The second bass smiled wisely,
and gladly acknowledged his intro
duction to Ray. the prettiest girl In
the room. "I'll see that you meet
all our best men," he told her, at
once. Here's Bob, our leader, now,
I'll get him" But Ray inter-
rupted.
I've left my wrap in the other
hall, she said; would you mind get
ting it for me?" The danger was
averted for once. A little later,
when Ray again met the second bass
he glanced at her card-the last
dance had not been taken.
Now, I'll get Bob for that last
dance" he volunteered. Ray blush
ed, and darted slngularly pleading
glance at him. II was saving that
dance for-well. for you," she stam-
mered. 1T will make only five."
TIE young man looked very queer,
but seemed grateful. IL didn't dare
to ask for it, he murmured Ray
could only smile, although she was
dying to explain her favor.
But when the last dance arrived,
up came the second bass, arm in arm
with the leader of the club. Bob
hasn't had a dance with you this
evening" said he to Ray, $50 I've
agreed to abdicate in his favor" He
beamed at Ray and at the leader
like benevolent godfather. Ray
evening lodging the leader: should
she give in now, to be ridiculed by
all the girls who had heard her VOW
she would not dance with him?
"I'm very sorry" she said, ignor-
ing the leader. you see. I'm
really too tired to dance again. But
Of course | wouldn't deprive your
friend of the pleasure. Here's his
sister now" and she eagerly wei
coined Emily, who appeared at the
minute; then, without a word, Ray
led the crestfallen bass to cosey
corner. Il may as we'll explain"
she said stiffly, when she observed
that her companion was vainly try
ing to stihe his laughter. "As O
matter of fact | had made up my
mind not to dance with your leader.
I've heard so much about him that
| am tired of him. | knew he'd be
pampered and petted and conceited
and would condescend and bend,
and all that, and | just determined
that he shouldn't get chance to
patronize me. | hate popular men" :"
She stopped short as she caught
sight of her partners face. He had
just breath enough to gasp at Emily,
who once more apprc ached: you
tell her." and then he gave way to
his merriment, burying his face in
pillow.
well, Ray" said Emily, 81 knew
you'd like Robert when you met him,
but you were so obstinate | didn't
know what to do. So | told him al
about 1t, how you said nothing would
induce you to dance with him, and
how you hated popular men, and so
he got one Of the other boys, a per-
feet swelled head, who was only too
| glad of the chance, to take his place
and lead the club tonight. And 1t
was really too funny the way you
singled Robert out. and asked for an
introduction, and everything"
Emily paused for breath. There
was a silence, during which Roberts
mirth suddenly vanished and he sat
| nm looking annealinglv and denre-