The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-04-06


state of your feelings.
Being tall and pale, with firmly
modelled features, 1t is not surpris-
ing that Miss Stone had singled
out as the object of her affections
little Herbert Runyon. Herbert
was plump and rudy, with crisp
yellow hair and an every-ready
smile, and brains that earned him
SIS a week as floorwalker in the
dress goods department. Like all
the other men in the store, he al
mired Miss Stone, but would no
more have dreamed of her as
STEADY company" than he would
have contemplated inviting a men,
Der of the firm around the corner
to have a drink.
But Miss Stones theory of life
left no room for impossiblities,
and she attacked her new problem
as scientifically as she would have
gone about analyzing the season S
trend of style. From among the
several hundred girls daily be-
meath her eyes she selected the one
whom she judged the most thor
oughly versed in the art which she
herself lacked and frankly asked
her how.
my, what a funny question:!
Exclaimed Miss Bertha Bailey,
shaking her blond curls. REALLY.
Miss Stone, 1 couldn't tell you
how do it to save my life. 1
guess there's no fixed rule" she
added, after a moments though
at depends upon the particular
man you happen to be Interested
N, and then you just follow your
instinct.
az tell you what" she declared,
If you're really in earnest sup
9ose you name some man you
want me to flirt with, and then
watch"
For a moment Miss Stone drew
herself up freezingly; then she
realized that Mertha's remark had
no special or personal significance
so she said carelessly:
cit would be fun to see how
you do 1t. Suppose we say Mr..
Notwithstanding a staid sales
man of middle age and large
family.
ooh no." demonstrated the
younger girl. that wouldn't be
any fun"
"Well. then" observed Miss
Stone. there's Herbert Runyon.
He"
ooh, we all carry on with Her.
bert" interrupted Bertha He's
such a cutup."
Miss Stone WINGED, but bravely
pursued her theme. "But IL you
could just let me see how you act
when you're serious about it
really in love, I mean"
81 can't imagine anyone's being
serious about Herbert" laughed
Miss Bailey. ''But I'll try to give
a good imitation"
The days that followed were for
Miss Stone days of interest and
pain. Studying little Bertha
Bailey's behavior in the light of
their conversation she gradually
learned to know a multitude of
those trifling airs and graces
which belong to most women by
birthright. Herbert seemed to
enjoy his part in the object les
son amazingly and responded with
a readiness that, although she
knew It was all unreal, gave the
eager student who watched them
more than one fierce pang of
jealousy.
Finally 1t became evident that
the little comedy was approaching
it's denouement. and Miss Stones
bruised heart leaped with relief
one day when she called Bertha
to her and told her that she need
trouble herself no more.
I'm sure I never can thank you
enough" she said. you've taught
me a multitude of things I never
should have found out by myself. !"
For a moment the girl looked
puzzled. "Oh." she cried, "isn't IT
funny? I had forgotten entirely
that was doing 1t for you. After
the first day or two ! got really
interested: and then fell I'm love
with Herbert; and we're going to
be married as soon as he gets his
raise. Please don't ever repeat
what I said about him. viii your"
mo" said Miss Stone. as she
turned away to hide her face II
never will"