The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-29
THE EVENING STORY
The Rescue of Ruffles.
{By Virginia Blair.)

I
drawn at Crag house. The tables
were waited on by the daughters of
wealthy farmers, who served only be-
cause they wished to escape the
nonotony of country life for a month
| or TWO, and because they wished to be
in touch with the gaiety and color
that the city guests brought to the
mountain resort.
Ruffles was not a farmers daugh-
ter. She was child of the city,
| swept to Crag house by wave of
| chance. She had worked in a de-
| partment store in town, and her
nealth had failed. The doctor to whom
she went spoke of the mountains.
Il can't afford to CO." falted Ruff
files.
GO and play waitress for a while"
suggested the keen-eyed doctor. Then
you can earn something and get well
at the same time
He gave her letter to the proprie-
Tor or Crag house, and poor little
| frightened Ruffles fed at once and
found the place paradise after the
heat and noise of town.
As time went on, however, she dis
| covered that she was treated as a
stranger and an alien. She was neith-
| er hsh nor flesh, neither guest nor
| daughter of the soil. She was an I'M
known girl from the city and the
| country girls kept in their own circle.
I
| their own friends, while the hotel
guests danced in the ballroom and
| never thought of the little maid who
served them.
who watched Ruffles with interest.
'-She is a pretty little thing" she said
to her husband.
] Who?" he asked idly
| The little girl who waits on our
| table," said Mrs. Witherspoon, and
that night she called Ruffles into her
| room.
| IF you will fasten my dress" she
said, I'll be awfully grateful
L can always come in and fasten
your dresses said Ruffles, shyly. I'D
love it. It's lonesome after supper,
and the evenings are so long"
| why don't you go to the barn
dances?" Mrs. Witherspoon asked
Nobody has invited me-" Ruffles
| stammered. You see, 1 don't belong
to the country set. I'm a kind of out.
| sider."
'-Poor little thing.' was Mrs. Wither-
spoons rental comment But aloud
she said, isn't Mary Granger friendly
She seems nice girl
| No" the bushes famed over Ruff
f1es little face. You see, Mary is
different. She has always had things.
And she only waits on the table here to
get the extra money and the fun. But
= oh, well, I'm different"
How different?''
"Oh, I'm poor, and 1 live in a cheap
rart of the city when I'm homeland
ny clothes are shabby. and L haven't
any folks-you know-how people
| 81 think It's very snobbish of Them
Mrs. Witkerspoon said Indignantly.
We'll, anyhow, you come here in the
evenings, end help me into my things
and we will have some comfy talks
Indeed I WILL" Ruff1es' eyes shone.
| WithlrSn0Orl
| Ruff1es went downstairs and sat on
the porch where she could see the hotel
guests in the ballroom. She watched
the women in their dainty gowns as
she was very lonely, she put her head
down on her arm and Sobbed.
Whats the matter" asked a voice
cut of the dark
| oh" said Ruff1es. Il didn't know
! any one was here"
IT came to find my sister," said the
voice again. 81 am Frank Granger.
When they told me she had gone home,
I thought 1 would watch the dancing
and then you came and 1 heard you cry
| il g-and if there is anything 1 can
de-
| There was such an honest ring in his
voice that Ruffies answered straight
from the bottom of her heart. No
there isn't. But I am crying because l
am lonely
'Are you one Of the waitresses?"
! Yes, 1 am Ruff1es."
He ave a quick exclamation. 1--WE
heard Mary speak of you. You are the
little sick girl from the city-and they
called you Ruff1es because of the dress
you had on when you first came"
| yes" Ruff1es remembered the hui
initiation of that old gown, with the
cheap black fiounces.
You haven't been to any of the barn
dances"
..I haven't been invited"
You haven't? Well. I'll see that
Mary asks you to the one at our house
| tomorrow night"
/ "Oh, please" Ruff1es begged, don't.
Ii might look as if 1 was trying to
push in
well, I guess not" said Granger.
quickly. Mother wants you. l heard
her tell Mary last night that if you
farm for awhile. and live on milk and
eggs
He laughed. well. Mary said that if
| you weren't too proud she would be glad
to ask you"
"What?" Ruff1cs gasped. ''Why-why
I thought she didn't like me-"
.'She thinks you are wonderful" the
strong voice went On, but she says you
are from the city, and have such dainty
ways and she is so big and awkward"
| ooh, OH" Ruffles was laughing out of
sheer Joy "If she feels that way I
should love to go to the barn dance"
| .sWell, I'll get you the invitation"
said Frank simply. and held out his
hand BE sure come early"
Then he went away, and Ruff1es
stood there with the whole world
changed.
"Oh, Mrs witherspoon, she said to
that little lady, as they passed each
other on the stairway II am going to
Mary Changers dance tomorrow night. y
| "Really2" the pretty lady gurgied.
Come into my room and tell me about
| il. Bob is going to stay down and
smoke and we will be alone"
| Ruff1es cparkled and glowed as she
told what Frank had said.
And now" said Mrs Witherspoon,
when the tale was ended, what are
| you going to WEAR?