Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-08
Too Many Girls.

The young man who owns an autorao-
bile soon learns to regard himself as a
public utility.
Carl Van Horn, being of an oblising
disposition. had cheerfully acted as
chauffeur for the candidates of both po-
litical parties, for the W'omana Relief
corps and for the fresh air orphans" be-
sides taking at least three girls and the
ice cream TO every picnic of the season |
therefore he was not surprised when
Harriet Thayer informed him that he |
would be expected to assist in decorating
for the Halloween party which she and
Dorothy Hart and Irene Pilkin We're get
ting up.
He was. perhaps the more willing to
lend his aid because he foresaw possibil- |
ties Of ride with Dorothy, unaccompani- |
ey by Harriet and Irene. This was a |
rather wild aspiration. in view of his
former experiences with the three.
Those girls had been inseparable since
their kindergarten days. Nobody ever
thought of seeing one without the others;
In fact. until recently. on one had partic~
ularly cared to see one without the 9TH
ers; but that was exactly what young
Van Horn now desred-so far vanly-I
to do.
If he called at Dorothy's house Harriet
and Irene were almost certain to he there. |
If he wrote her note Harriet and Irene
were more than likely to look over her
shoulder While she read it. AS for taking
her to ride, evidently it had never oc
CURED to them that Carl and Dorothy
could enjoy spin with the back seat
of the car unoccupied
Reing. as has been said, Of an obliging
and courteous nature. Carl found it diff
ficult to convey tc them his real senti>
ments in the matter.
Tho Halloween party was to be held at
Dcrothys home ana when Carl arrived
there on Saturday afternoon he found the
living room a wild chaos of red and black
draperes, stepladders. jack-o'-lanterns.
brooms and paper witches and black cats.
What do you think of our decora-
tions?" asked Dorothy who was busily
carving carrots into candlestcks.
VERY classy" he replId. Only one
thing lacking-autumn leaves. Suppose
YOU and l.
Now. Mr. Van Horn interrupted
Harriet, If you'll mount this ladder I'll
pass the tacks. Yes, of course, we want
| autumn leaves. Just a little higher on
the left. Now move your ladder over
here"
| Released at last, Carl again sought
| Dorothy. Nov. about those autumn
| leaves" he began.
There was piercing Shrek from Irene.
| who had been arranging the dining-room
table. A perfectly horrible worm. it de-
| velOped, had crawled out of the huge
cabbage which she was using as a center
piece. The worn was more easily dispos
| ed than Irenes tremors. She was quite
overcome at the thought of being left
alone with the cabbage. Did MIR. Van
| Horn think it contained more worms?"
| Harriet came to the rescue. Now. she
said, we're all ready to go after those
autumn leaves
But I thought-you see-wouldn't it be
better stammered Carl.
| Why said Harriet. you suggested it
yourself. But if you dor't want to 60"
| "Certainiy-of course said Carl.
So four persons instead Of two filled the
| car with autumn leaves.
| When the last crimson and yellow
| boughs had been tackled into place Carl
approached Dorothy with the light des-
peration in his eye.
! 'Tno bad" he said. chat Harriet and
Irene have to go. I've Just had an idea.
You and I can carry 1t out"
| A becoming flush stole over Dorothy's
| face.
"Girlst" she called, and something in
her voice told him that she understood
his meaning. and was going to help him.
you can't stay after C. can you?''
| Not minute they declared, 1--WE
hate-to eat dinner and dress and
"Aufully sorry" said Dorothy. But
then We don't really need you. Mr. Van
Horn suggests that She looked at him
inqniringly. Err. -s