Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1911-10-25

puckered and her dark oval cheeks
were flushed Her eyes looked black
and angry.
Leila was angry and she was jeal-
GUS of John West, and angry with
herself for being jealous. John West
had, as every one believed. fallen des-
perately in love with Leila, and she
had found herself entirely captivated.
by the strong, sincerf man who
pleaded with her Yesterday she had
promised to marry him.
Today had opened happily. There
had been a letter from John in the
morning mail and a letter to write to
him; and there had been wonderful
j bunch of orchids in the middle OF the
morning, and a suggestion by tele-
phone that they go to the theater in
the evening. But Leila's unhappin-
ess lurked in the subway. When she
entered the train to go down town to
shop, her heart had leapt at recognit-
ion of Johns broad back ahead of
her. She had started toward him,
but she hesitated as she saw his COM
panion, a very pretty young woman
smiling confidently into his eyes.
Il wonder" Leila had thought,
why he didn't tell me he was going
to be up town" And she had quiet
Iy taken a seat near the door. At
first she had not thought of being
jealous. She had simply watched
John and his pretty companion
They seemed oblivious to every
thing but each other Crusty old gen
uemen locked approvingly at them
over their papers. as crusty old gen
tlemen do look at young and whole
some companionship. A messenger
boy next to Leila snickered as he saw
John protectingly put mis- arm behind
his companion as the train suddenly
Iurched around a turn.
Bride and groom" he whispered,
5grinning.
And to cap the climax John had &C
&ually stepped on Leilas toes as he
Geft the train, and had not even
looked at her as he hurriedly raised
his hat and begged her pardon.
1t was too much, thought Leila. A
pretty girl was all right in her place;
it wasn't so very long since John had
thought her the prettiest girl in the
world. 1t was all right for John to
go around in the subway with people
he had never even told her about, if
he wanted to. 1t was all right. even,
for him to put out that splendid,
strong arm of his to protect the wo-
man next to him from jolt. But to
sit almost opposite her, Leila Hill
born, the girl who had the day before
promised to be his wife, openly flirt-
ing with somebody else. without even
so much as appearing to notice her,
was too much. And although Leila
kept sensibly telling herself that she
detestet jealousy, she finally owned
up to herself that she was madly, fu-
riously jealous of John West.
Her thoughts came back to the
lace on the counter.
"I'll take this" she said to the pref
ty little saleswoman-a fair-haired
young girl, whose rosy mouth dropped
unhappily at the corners and whose
blue eyes moodiIy followed the move
ments of Mr.. Thomas Finch, floor
walker in the lace and embroidery
department, as he cOnYersed in a
friendly manner over an exchange
check with a striking brunette at the
opposite counter.
81 said | would take this lace" Lee
lila repeated sternly.
81 beg your pardon" said the girl
How much do you want?"
Seven yards" said Leila.
The saleswoman, Hester Clark,
pulled off fold after fold of the heavy
lace, always watching from under her
long lashes the man and woman at
the opposite counter. She carelessly
measured off six yards of the lace.
Six yards, did you say?" she asked
mechanically, as she made out her
check.
Il did not, said seven, said Leila,
and six won't be a bit of USE"
But I've cut it" said Hester.
That's not my fault" said Leila.
You'll have to call the floorwalker
and"
Leila looked at the girl Her hard
expression softened, as she recogniz-
ed the unhappiness in the face before
her. Hester, seeing sympathy. broke
down.
Il can't call Mr. Finch; I just
can't. / don't care if lose my
place." she said falteringly. Il just
simply can't call him now. He'd
think did it purposely"
Leila looked from the tragic little
face to the young man still talking
animatedly across the aisle. She I'M
derstcod.
We'll of all things" she said, and
her stiT lips broke into a smile. so
you're jealous, too. Well. never
mind; just cut another yard. don't
blame you for making blunders. 1
suppose I'd have done something stu
pider than that
When Hester. her face filed with
gratitude, came back with Leilas
change and tried to thank her. Leila
smilingly stopped her.
Don't you say single thing" said
Leila. And here" she said unpin-
rine the wonderful bunch of orchids