The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-06
THE EVENING STORY
How Harriet Led the Junior Prom


some time in his room, unmolested. His
feet were crossed on the study table
| before him, as he leaned back in his
chair, and through half closed eyes
watched the smoke rings from his pipe.
At the same time he was dreamily OBJ
| serving through the opposite window
| the throngs of students coming from
class, while strange thoughts were go
| ing pell-mell through his BRAIN
| "I ought to be studying, old pal" he
| said to his pipe, as he held it up before
/ him, "but to save my life can't do 1t
| until I've settled another thing. Whom
| shall 1 take to the 'Prom?" "
Whats that?'' said a voice from the
4 doorway, where the owner of the voice
stood in his shirt-sleeves, don't know
| whom to take to the Prom yet, when
you lead the whole procession?"
| mo. You're just the man to help me
| out. I'll tell you what I'll do If you
| find me a girl in way that won't
| bother me too much, you may have my
| square,
I'm on all right" said his greedy
fraternity brother, entering and throw
| ing himself into a particularly deep
Morris chair near the window. Now.
| I shouldn't have any difficulty If l
We're going to lead the Prom"
Mo- growled Tom, 1T appears not not
and study the jewelers. catalogues; but
thank the Lord I'm free"
Don't insinuate. Surely, though, you
have some preference. There's Gertie
| Somers."
"she's nice little thing and pretty.
but she talks a man dizzy in ten min
utes. 1 took her somewhere once
don't remember where-and didn't get
over it for a week..
How about Betty?''
mot for worlds. She never says a
word but looks at you. as If from the
other side of dream. 1t ,aasa makes me
"WeI1 Louise Dillon, Mary Green"
Eyes, yes. and a thousand or so down
here, but not for me. I've taken most
of them to places but I'm not anxious
to ask any one to lead the grand
march. I'm really Phi Alpha Phi
man. and 1 ought to take one of those
girls but 1 don't know which one to
pick out of the gtddy BUNCH: au4 80
"Trust to luck, then. The first one
that comes along on this side of the
street. Begin now"
you're a genius. Don't you see
that will take all the responsibility
out Of my hands. That's the plan
Crowds of laughing girls passed,
men walking hurridly, or couples
going slowly, but no Phi Alpha Phi.
At last the originator of the plan
sIook, Tom, there are two together.
Harriet Wood and Marjory Which z?
"I'n toss pennies. Heads, Harriet;
tails, Marjory. Here goes. One. two
Junior Prom if she wants to-
The girls who were thus being
gambled upon went very innocently
by and left Tom staring blankly at
why hang it, Harriet's a fresh
man, and up home-you know she
lives in my town. always looked
upon her as a child. Here | am tax
ing her to the Prom" He caught
up a pillow and tossed it as if he was
hugely amused.
"Perhaps you'll have your eyes
opened and find out she's no such
panion encouragingly as he left the
Anyway I'm glad it's over" re-
marked Tom, going back to work.
At supper time Harriet, her brown
hair flying about her pretty face, had
just come bright-eyed from a long
walk to town and back. The tele-
phone bell rang sharply.
FRESHMAN to the phone" cried
one of the older girls and Harriet ran
down the hall
"Hello"-"Yes this is she.''-
Junior Prom I'll bet" called
two or three of the girls from the din
ing room. Junior Prom Junior
motion, the speaker at the telephone
could not be heard. Presently Har-
riet came flying back, her eyes
brighter than before.
H., L
in the world. 1t was the Junior Prom,
and just guess. Oh-h-h!" She sat down
IN her chair and beamed.
who, who asked you? Tell us quick. |
That makes ten going from here. Who |
is the man?''
why Tom lombard. that grand man
from home. Why he's ever so old, and |
smart, and-Oh I'm so happy"
''IS the creature mad?"
do you mean Tom or me? I'm not
mad. I always admired him so and al
ways envied you older girls when he
Jtook you places. thought he regarded
to go with him to a big doings. I'm
so excited can hardly eat-Tm hungry
though. Pass everything down, that
sn't here near me-"
he 'Prom?''' - asked one of the older
girls.
"Oh, oh, oh! I never thought of that.
don't care whether I eat or not"
The music began, the grand march
started slowly. Tom Lombard and Har-
.iet Wood moved down the hall, while
he rest fell in behind. The president
nto which his anxiety over the affair
1ad thrown him, glanced down upon
he girl at his side. A rosebud nestled
n her soft brown hair. Her fair face
we're demurely drooped. Tom looked
lown at the soft folds of her pink dress
md caught a glimpse of pink slipper.
''She's grown up!" he told himself,
and isn't she great! Why. she's the
,rettiest girl here"
Just then the music stopped and she
ooked up to meet two eager eyes. Har-
let heard voice that was very boy
sh saw;
Harriet. If you haven't date, wish
Tou'd go with me to our next party"
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
I
[From the Chicago News.1