The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-18

A PARTY GOWN FOR STATE OCCASIONS made her change her mind, and ar engagements were made by which Josie was able to go Betty one better A young ladies' seminary in New York city itself received Josie. She left us bereaved about week after Betty vanished from our ken. but promised to be back for the Christmas holidays.
 Betty was happy, she protested in every communication, and wholly con- tent. She was getting along. The other girls liked her, and she liked them. these statements being made in the order of their relative importance. Lots of them. of course. were fright fully swell Betty annexed "frightful- ly' at school, by the bye) and had all sorts of clothes. The drug store. not to be outdone, supplied her with party gown for state occasions.
 Josie kept her promise and came home for Christmas. She was reticent as to her impressions of the New York seminary. but seemed extremely glad to be home, notwithstanding the fact that Nat had apparently contracted no disturbing alliances with the other belles Of our village. And Roland re- mained true-a reliable second string to Josie's bow. Roland was working hard at the bank, with an application that earned Blinky Lockwood's regard and outspoken appreciation, and his Christmas raiment proved the sensa- tion of the season.
 In passing should mention that Betty didn't come home once through out the entire school term. The Christ mas and Easter holidays she spent with girl friend at her Philadelphia home.
 Meanwhile life in our town sim mered gently. Duncan continued to make progress. For one thing re- call that he put in hot soda with whip ped cream, which helped a lot to hold the trade regained in the summer from Sothern & Lee.
 Occasionally Duncan visited some of the towns in the county to develop the mail order business which he had sue cessfully. inaugurated and which in creased materially the profits of the firm.
 There was certain night along to- ward the 1st of January when trade was dull. as it always is after Christ mas. and there was nobody in the store save Nat and Tracey Each had their task. whatever it may have been, and each was busted with it. but of the tEo Tracey seemed the more restless.
 Duncan broke long silence in the store. Whats the trouble. Tracey"
 Tracey pulled up with a stare of con- fusion. "1-I dunno. Mir Duncan; I was thinkin'. I guess
 Anything gone wrong:"
 "Not yet"
 Somebody been demonstrating that -Four dolls stuffed with sawdust, Ira cey?''
 Moo; but. say Mir. Duncan"- Ira ceys confusion became terrific.
 Say on. Mir. Tanner
 Tracey struggled perceptibIy. The words when they came were blurted, "Ah, was only thinkin' bout Angie
 Do you ever think about anything else?"
 "No." Tracey admitted honestly. mot much. But I was wonderin'
 "Wen?''
 "Are you stuck on Angie, Mfr. Dun- can?' demanded Tracey desperately.
 Great snaEeSi I hope notr'
 The boy sighed. Thank you, Mir. Duncan. 1 was only worryin' because you and Angie is singin' together in the choir now Josie Lockwood's gone to school an'-an' Angles the purtiest girl in town-an' I was 'fraid t you might like her best when Josie's away. An 1 wanted to ask you to pick out smother girl
 Duncan chuckled silently. Tracey he said presently, it strikes me you must be in love with Angie
 The boy gulped. IT am"
 And I thiuk she's rather partial to FOL"