Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-16
DAILY SHORT STORIES

ingiy began Nora. 1--WE can't stand
this much longer. Why, the girl has
the boys In daze. They seem 20 have
forgotten that we exist"
+ 1T doesn't say much for the con.
stancy OF men," cynically added Beth.
''She IL the unknown quantity" as
serted Belle In the extreme wisdom OF
her youth. "a city girl. you know. II
any OF US live to her ripe old age
dare say we shall know rs much as
She"
Her sisters iahghed. Bellies asset.
lions always anssed them %, To-
What are wSgSing to do about ity,I
asked Nora. ~
The chaperon, ,even at that moment,
entertained IN ,the front par,or the
three thralIed swairss. ,.,
~ have a. scheme" proposed Belle
after q tense second OF thought. 1T
may work out all right. Both OF you
girls know that Marie ia proud; also
that she has a miserable complexion.
and she always has powder pun
handy at oil times TO make that doll
face OF hers look the part"
Don't be petty" cautioned Beth Sc
vereiy, III you have scheme M
you call It. explain. II to us"
'i'll not" snapped Belle III 1 did
you would object to II. I'll only soy
this-if You see anything unusual to-
morrow night don't give the joke away
by laughing. Just remain serenely in
different, as II whatever happens were
nothing unusual at NIL IL you will
just intimate some time previous to
this that Marie. poor dear. Is little
er-peculiar at times II VIII help lot :"
Beth and Nora smiled at the brave
attempt OF the youngest TO adjust
things, but mutually agreed to give her
free rein. t.ie r.tt..r
The next night. rs usual. Marie did
more than her share OF entertaining.
and the visitors seemed content TO
have II so. The evening bade fair to
adhere TO its usual routine
The girl from Chicago had q habit of
excusing herself frequently for a few
moments ut time. Tonight was no
exception to the rule. On several diff
ferent occasions the gallants were left
to the tender care OF the girls whom
they were supposed to have come to
see, and the three sisters forgivingly
strove to entertain them during the
absence OF the main attraction. fa
Young Jones. the lad formerly an
swering TO the beck and coll OF Belle,
was the chaperon's favorite OF tho
evening. Only when the woman left
the room did his thoughts seem 10 cen.
ter on the younger OF the sisters, but
at such times the flush on his beard
loss cheeks and the manifest uneasi-
ness of him as he glanced guiltily at
the girl proyed that be was not yet
past redemption. H..
"Ah. you rogue, believe You have
been flirting during my absencer
The chaperon. returned, found her
interesting youth almost retained by
the time improving Belle.
Jones started guiltily. cast an ap-
pealing eye at his rightful owner and
again turned. magnetized, 20 the ailur-
ing voice.
"Oh, Miss Marie he started, then
gulpcd couple of times and stared at
the boy knowing Marie with great
round eyes.
Smith and Brown, observnnt ones,
eciipsed for the evening, also stared.
Fortunately for the success ot Bellies
plan, none OF the three was possessed
OF high sense OF humor.
Marie seemed puzzled for moment
by the daxed glance OF the trio. but
finally as1the girls kept up a distract
Ing conversation, favoring their reIp-
tive with only a casual glance, she
concluded that this was only burst OF
visual homage on the part OF the
enamored ones.
Gradually, however, the girl from
Chicago grew embarrassed before The
tout like chances of these country town
admirers, and a cautious hand investi-
gated stealihily every curl and strand
OF the bronze red hair mass that was
her chief glory. Nothing surprising
was revealed TO her sensitive fingers.
Che breathed easier.
SmotherinR what unensincSs NJ.
NAMED, Marie carried on brilliant
conversation. but the brilliancy was
confined TO her end OF 1t. From
conversational standpoint the gay
Lothorios were equal to nothing.
With relieved sigh the chaperon
returned with her relatives to the parlor
after bidding the young men good night.
ooh, Marie" babbIcd Belle NJ she
turned quickly TO the older girl. whit
clever and most original idea.
could hardly keep my face straight"
Marie stared. puzzled.
What do YOU meant she asked.
You looked SO absurd. SO ridlcu-
lpug " ufQotad Nora .s,.d a.. t..-o
were so-er- perfectly tbundcrstruck.
II was such an unusual Joke"
- thought I would die a. the *.
preston on Joe's face" contributed
Beth, with a reminiscent laugh. She
glanced admringly at her relative.
IL don't undersfand" stnnlfnnYcd