Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1910-06-02
Miss Waite'S
Escort
By JANE OS RN

Press.)
II was just three days before the
Junior ball. The committee, gathered
In the room OF the chairman, grew i'm
patient.
Where is Kate?" The speaker lifted
her head from the pillow-covered
divan and looked anxiously at her
companion.
%, Hates interviewing the psychol-
ogy department.; she'll be here di-
rectIy."
What on earth's she doing there?"
Why, Prof. Waite is one of our pa
tronesses, you know, and she sent
word for Kate to come and tell her
what to wear, / suppose. Those fac
ulty patronesses are the worst fuss
tubs'-more trouble than all the mu-
sicians, decorators and caterers put
together"
The door opened and Kate hurried
In, her cheeks glowing and her eyes
sparkling from her rapid walk.
You're trumps all of you to wait; but
l couldn't get of any sooner. What
do you think has happened now?
Promise not to faint and I'll tell you.
DR.. Waite has decided to bring an
escort She's actually going to have
youth for the Junior ball"
Miss Waitel An escortl" gasped
one Of the committee. why, what
will she do with an escort?"
"Do?" said Kate. with a weary shrug
OF the shoulders. She doesn't intend
to do anything with him. She's handed
him completely over to the poor, over
worked me. When 1 went to her after
psychology just now, she assumed that
sugary manner OF hers-just as IL she
was complimenting me on a paper or
comforting final honors in philosophy
and explained that she had invited
second cousins uncle's godson's
brothers nephew, or something of the
sort She said that he was delighted
at the prospect, and that of course he
would want to dance. She knew in a
general hazy way that we had our
dance orders all made out beforehand.
and asked me please to have one
made out for him.
Kate paused a moment to scan the
faces of her amused listeners. Fancy
the situation! He's probably some
well-behaved. near-sighted, young
hopeful, dances like a hen and now.
just because his great-aunt's second
cousins best friend happens to be
head OF the psychology department,
we've got to make things pleasant for
him. And the worst of it all is that
while we're dancing around with him
our men will have to be sitting 1t out
In some coquettish corner with Miss
Waite"
But, Kate, DEAR" said one of the
committee, didn't you explain to Miss
Waite that our dance orders were all
made out long ago and that 1t would
be quite impossible?"
Kate raised her hand with an as
surfing gesture. I'm not running any
risks with the psychology department.
I'm working for credit, and besides,
maybe the poor lad is looking forward
to 1t. So, come on girls; do your best
and be generous" She tore a sheet
from note book on the table at her
side.
Here's his order. First, he must
have his first and supper dances with
Miss Waite. That's settled. Now. lit
tie one" she inquired, turning to the
younger member OF the committee,
/ know you are saving altogether too
many dances for that doting cherub
or yours, and you know II isn't con-
s1dered dignified to give too many
dances to ones own man. Take your
choice; which one will you give up?"
%, Kate, You can't expect me to
give him any. Dick would be perfect
ly furious, after he'd come all the way
from Chicago. Why, I've only nine
with him now. o, simply can't"
The next member of the committee
! interrupted. And, Kate, you don't, of
course, expect me to, because we're
engaged, and-O, well, there's no use
arguing with me. I simply can't"
Kate. nothing daunted. continued
her pleas. But the next member had
her excuse, too.
Kate, you've made me exchange
dances with so many weird people! |
don't mind asking Tom to sit it out
with Miss Waite, but do draw the
line at having to dance with her young
charge. But here goes-put me down
for the ninth"
The other three committee members
moved by this generosity. each grudg-
ingly gave up a single dance.
Now" said Kate, regarding the
dance order with disapproval, you
girls haven't given the dear boy a sin
gle waltz, and just know he dotes on
dreamy waltz. Now, witness my
generosity! will take three dances
with him-the sixth, the tenth and the
last"
"The last" echoed one of the girls.
why, what about your own mann"
20, Watson won't mind. He's nv
own cousin, you know, and more than
three-quarters engaged to girl out in
Denver; and besides that, Miss Waite
and her escort will surely go before
the last, and then I'll have it with
Watson, after all. Now enough of you,
dear boy, for to-day, and tomorrow
| shall endeavcr to beg, borrow, bride.
or steal a few more dances from the