Holbrook argus., 1910-09-20
HE WA s TOO KIND :

The girl with the coronation braid took three stitches on her embroid- cry centerpiece and then inspected them carefully. By the way, Celeste" she remarked, q saw you at the Bee thoven club concert last night with Fred Allison" She raised her eve brows smilingly and her tone was full of meaning.
 You did, no doubt" affirmed .the girl with the black velvet bow iniher hair. What then2" Her manner WAS progressively calm and unmoved.
 Why, nothing, l suppose" replied the girl with the coronation braid hastily. "Of course it's none of my business, dear, but every one knows that Fred Allison is simple wild about you and I was only joking, anyway. You surely know what people have been saying"
 T do know It. broke in the ligrl with the black velvet bow, her icy, ,dis- pleasure giving way to open wrath. "I also know that it makes me too ut terly weary! For of all the thick headed, blundering imbeciles on earth. that same Fred Allison is the worst"
 "Why, Celeste!" cried the girl with coral dropping her sewing in amaze ment. ct was only few weeks ago at the country club, that you said Fred Allison was the handsomest stman there. And that night you danced with him five times and an extra or two"
 Did you count?" demanded the girl with the black velvet bow, frowning
 Certainly l didi" said the girl with the coral beads. So did all the other girls And Harvey Emerson-"
 q had not met Mir Emerson at that time" stiffiy remarked the girl with the black velvet bow.
 But how did you happen to go to the Beethoven club concert with Fred if you dislike him so?" demanded ev erybody at once. -o
 "Happen," said the center of inter est, sarcastically. Happen! It'Swas because Fred happened to have an en- gagement to call last night, that's7all! Fanny Thomas called me up on the  couldn't use two tickets for the con. cert, as she and her brother were sud denly compelled to go out of town I said Yes gladly, because I love nut sic anyway, and since I've known MT. Emerson, who plays the piano so beautifully, my musical taste has real ly developed.
 "It occurred to me at once that if Fred Allison hadn't been coming I should have had chance to ask MT Emerson to go with me. He could have explained all the movements and ev. erything. But Fred was coming. so, of course, I had to ask him. StiD. he has had the grip and the weather was fearfully cold and I thought that maybe he would excuse himself. Any. way, I telephoned him, because if we went to the concert he'd have to come earlier than just to make a call
 "The minute he heard my voice he said, Why, I was just going to call you up
 "'Yes?' said l. O.
 "1 feel like a wreck today he crosked, and if you could let me come tomorrow night instead of tonight
 Certainly said, before he had the words out Of his mouth. Then 1t occurred to me that I mustn't be i'm. polite, so I added sweetly, Pm so sorry though, because Fanny has just asked me to use two tickets to the Beethoven club concert and"
 And you want to go?' he asked.
 "'Oh yes, of course,' I stammered but
 "'Then I'll be there!' said Fred. promptly. I'm certainly not going to disappoint you in thing like that!'" She paused. "Idiot!" she concluded, shipping off silk thread viciously.
 The girl with the coral beads gig gled Did you enjoy the concert?" she asked.
 "No." said the other grimly. q saw everybody there that ever knew and they all smiled blandly at me and then looked knowingly at Fred. It's getting so bad that lot of my friends won't ask me to go out any mere Corao ,oon fool that wav ahOlIf if