El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-24
The HeraId's
Daily Short Stsry

| You've surely not quarreled with that
pretty girl in the choir?"
''Everything's the matter, Miss Trav-
ers. It's all about the Coronation
festival. You see they've put it on
me to choose the girl for Britannia
If 1 don't choose Miss Blobbs, I shall
get dismissed from the school, If I
don't choose Miss Dawson, I shall
lose my post as ogranist. And IL 1
do choose either of them, Miss And
rews will throw me over. So you see,
Miss Travers. If 1 keep the girl I'm
engaged to. 1 lose the income I was
going to get married on. It's no
wonder that I'm miserable"
Hard lines" calculated Miss Trav-
ers, seating herself on a tree trunk.
1t is. I've done my best for every
body. and now everybody seems set
on running me- IF 1 were You."
advised Miss Travers, I'D leave the
lot of them and go out to Canada. or
South Africa. or somewhere and build
up the empire"
Il don't know exactly how to be-
gin" replied Mr.. Tanner
Look here, Mr.. Tanner, did
think you might have gone goat
farming in Canada. or Australia. or
one of those places, but now I've got
a better idea
And as Mr.. Tanner listened the
shadow vanished from his face.
The next evening the committee for
the Coronation festival was to meet
again Mr.. Blobbs was there early
and eyed the vicar and the school
master in hostile fashion He had
heard that Mary Dawson had an
1ounced that she was to be Britannia.
AT last the vicar took tie chair.
We'll, friends, our first business is
to call upon Mr.. Tanner to report OF.
his selection of the representative of
Britannia. I have no doubt that he
has made the judicious selection we
expect from one holding such a re-
sponsible position
Ear. ear" said Mr. Blobbs omt
nously.
Slowly Mr.. Tanner rose to his fee,
The vicar eyed him severely. Mr..
Blobbs gave warning snort
Negotiations had been proceeding"
said Mr.. Tanner. but I received
letter this morning which alters the
entire position With your permission
I'll read 1t. sir"
Dear Mr.. Tanner,
L hear you are to hold your Cor
onation festival in our park. II I
can act as representative of Britannia
In your celebration. I shall be very
pleased to do SO. I have asked nv
father to throw open the flower
gardens to the villagers during the
day and to provide a bonfire on the
hill in the park at night
Yours truly.
Allison Travers"
Mr.. Blobbs glanced at the vicar.
We'll. well, that settles 1t, 1 s'pose.
If the squire's daughter wants to be
Britannia she'll ave to be. It's far
better than picking out scare crows
because they're church workers."
The vicar rose to his feet II move
that Miss Travers's very kind offer be
accepted. All 1 wished was that
young lady Of refinement and culture
should represent Britannia. Now that
Is secured I am quite satisfied"
1t was the day of the Coronation
festival at Puddlecombe. Britannia had
been escorted to her throne by Can
ada Miss Dawson), South Africa
(Miss Blobbs), and Australia CMiss
Andrews Mr.. Tanner was distribut-
Ing mugs to an Infatuated crowd of
youngsters when Mr.. Blobbs. as chair
man of the proceedings, called for
silence" for the vicar. AS the rev.
erend gentleman rose and began to
dwel1 on the lessons of that great
moment he caught Britannia's eyes
and Britannia, with entire disregard of
her imperial responsibility wjpked