Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-10-29
ABSENT
MINDED

4
Goodness. Jess!" cried the caller.
"Are you going somewhere or
I'm so glad to see you, Gene
vieve." interrupted the girl in pink.
gliding forward with both hands out
| stretched.
| But her tone was restrained. The
girl IN blue looked her over critically.
IF you are going anywhere or
have any one coming" said the girl
in blue. Just tell me and I'll run
away. 1t was such lovely day that
| thought I'd come over for the after
noon.'
"Oh, did your" queried the girl in
pink, rather vaguely. mo, indeed, I'm
not going anywhere" -. "7"
The girl In blue sat down rather
doubtfully. Some telepathic sense
told her that she was intruding. How
ever, she shook off the sensation and
drew out her hatpins.
You seemed so kind Of odd" she
explained.
! "Oh, did 10 murmured her hostess.
"See here!" exploded the caller.
you're all dressed up and you seem
rather restless! What's the matter?"
why, nothing's the matter" in.
sisted the girl in pink. -.
She looked out Of the window and
then came and sat down, carefully
patting her hair in place.
Did you have a good time at the
party last night?" she asked, with
apparent effort.
Goodness, mel" cried the caller.
Don't you remember that l called
you up on the phone yesterday and
said wasn't going because the party
was called off?"
Obi" cried the girl In pink, with
start 80 you did" She rose and
regarded herself anxiously in the mir
ror over the mantel. do you think
have my hair too low on the right
side?" she asked. @'s..
Il hadn't noticed" said her caller,
In some surprise. mo, 1t looks very
nice to me. Gracious, 1t must have
taken you long time to get 1t done
up that way yourself! 1t looks as
though you were going to ball, in
stead of just staying at home and do
ing nothing" ........% .....
II always like to look well, wheth-
er any one sees me or not" declared
the girl In pink with dignity.
She walked to the window again
and looked up the street, while her
friend in blue surveyed her in deepen
Ing perplexity.
II never saw you so restless be-
FORE" commented the girl in blue.
You don't seem yourself-you are SO
absent-minded. Say, was down
town yesterday and saw lot of new
fall suits and things. There was the
loveliest--"
Excuse me just a minute" broke in
the girl in pink 81 remember ! for
got to powder my nose. and 1t always
looks SO shiny IT,
Her yoic trailed away up the stair
case.
well, I never" calculated the girl
In blue. She looked little alarmed
and dubious. Il wonder If Jess Is not
feeling well or If she is mad at me
about something?"
She picked up magazine and read
q short story before her hostess re-
appeared, her face carefully attend
ed to.
You aren't displeased with me
about anything, are you?" asked the
caller.
why, Genevieve!" cried the girl
In pink. "Of course not! How alb.
surd! I'm dreadfully glad to see you,
really! How is your aunt today"
Aunt Hattie?" asked her caller, 10
rather a labored tone. Don't you
remember she went east two weeks
ago? You and took her to the
train!" .-@
"Oh, of course!'' cried the young
woman in pink. Il forgot"
you must have something very i'm
portant on your mind"
"Why. not thing, really" declared
the girl in pink. She arose and walked
to the window again.
Are you looking for some one?" de-
manded her friend.
mot SOUL" declared the girl in
pink, turning around suddenly. Whom
on earth should be looking for in the
afternoon"
You seem SO odd,' commented
her friend. did you know Herbert
Arrows is going west soon?"
The girl in pink looked for her
handkerchief. YES" she said Where
did you see Herbert?"
Ills sister told me-" explained the
caller. He's taken you around lot
this summer, hasn't he?" ~ #za.
Not so very much" said the girl
In pink.
Yes, he has" said her friend.
Every one thinks
It's no such thing" declared the
girl in pink, whose cheeks suddenly
matched her gown.
When is he going?"
He leaves this evening said the
girl in pink, with little frown.
The bell rang and she sprang to her
feet and patted her hair. There he
is now!" she burst out. "He--he said
he'd drop in this afternoon to say
gcod-by. oh, don't go!"
The girl in blue reached hurlcdly
for her hat and began jabbing in the
pins. Was that what allied you?" she
asked. Why didn't. you tell me in
the first place."