The Jackson herald., 1910-09-29

In the afternoon the girls braced up
to their work and went home prom
ising to 60 to bed at eight. and be on
time ut the ONCE next morning.
The next evening Caroline invited
herself to go home with them and
help them fix some things to wear
to the picnic next day. Quite casually
she had asked Mr.. Roberts, head
clerk in their ONCE, to be OF tho
party. He had seemed glad te go.
and took a quick glance at Laura
He had always wanted to know II
there was n real ri beneath the
little person who caL TO the ONCE
In party finery. Tn, was some
thing sweet and genuine about her
despite Il.
In the little stuffy room the kindly
Caroline coaxed and praised and ca.
joled the girls until they had let her
open their trunks. She found little
light summer dress for each. simple.
and laid away as not stylish enough.
With her quick wits and quick
needle, a bit OF lace or ribbon, she
began altering a little TO the admira-
tion OF the others. She tried on one
dress. and then the other. The two
could not deny the good effect.
You're darling. Caro-" said
Laura. I'VE would not have though
this old junk could be fixed up, an
we wouldn't have worn It for any.
body but you! We're your slaves for
this occasion. What else do you
want?"
The next afternoon at half-past
four. three cool. clean. dainty girls
with baskets waited at the Office for
three tired. hot men whose eyes
rested gladly upon them. They took
n car to some picnic grounds little
frequented. and found a grassy space
beneath some great trees. II was after
six when they reached there, and
the hungry little company began to
get supper. Caroline had told each
what TO bring. and did the planning
herself.
She had one man get water, an.
other make a fire. Then she pro
duced coffee in a tin pail. a steak
and a frying pan and potatoes boiled
and ready TO fry. Maude, In her ele
ment. remembered her early training
in her mothers kitchen. and fell to
work. Her sleeves were turned back
to the shoulder showing her pretty
arms. Her soft. thick hair. untu.
tored. unratted. was drawn softly tc
the back OF her round little head.
The fire brought the red to her cheek.
She cooked the steak TO turn. and
with far greater zest than she made
pothooks in the Office. And Laura
set the table. She could not cook.
but In her simple white dress, with
her curling hair piled on the top OF
her graceful head, her dress turned
up about her slender figure. the arti.
fciality fell from her. She forgot 10
simper and pose. She felt herself
genuine and charming-and was so.
The little supper was joy-both
as food and as TO comradeship. The
third man. an old friend OF Caro-
lines, John Foster, a sort OF quiet
mainstay. a big, manly chap. seemed
quietly to dominate the group. The
younger girls had not known him.
After supper the men had permission
to smoke, and as they sat and the
girls sang. Foster moved over to
Caroline's side.
As twilight began to fall little
silence came upon the group. The
girls rose, and the men followed
Then without warning John Foster
took Caroline by the hand. and she
looked up at him with a smile and
nodded.
"We-Caroline and I-are going tc
be married next week. people," he
said. Wont that be great? We're
going TO have home out on Sixth
and we want you to come and see US
VIII you-all Of you? And Caroline
has It planned to ask you girls t1
room In our house. Will you?"
Maude and Laura rushed over Il
kiss the bride to be. declaring tha
they would, OF course. But the othel
men said nothinE-then.
On the way home Bob had Maud'
off to himself, and got off the cal
with her before the right destination
He wanted to talk with her. She wa
very quiet and meek and sweet. Go
ing around the corner Of the crowde'
street the music from the dance hal
came to her ears. She shivered an'
drew closer to her boyhood friend
She was thinking of Harry Hall.
Bob put his hand to hers.
"Maudie," he said. before tel
you | love you-and ask you I
marry mel must ask you to forgiv
} me. I thought the city had spoile
you and that you liked" Sh
, would not let him finish.
, "You shan't ask me to forgive wha
; I deserved, Bobbie. love you, too"
> Laura was walking demurely HON
beside the head clerk. She some
r how felt very protected, very swee
: and unsoiled. Something in hi
1 manner to her told her that som
a day he would-even in her though
v she did not quite finish.