Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-01-26
The Struggle
q for Arthur

vantases connected with being IL
yearE old
For example, n one were displeasea
with 4 friend ono could net make UP
! face and say "smarty! You THINK
you're smart. don't you!" And no
other method of procedure really
seemed 10 Mt the present case.
There was not a particle OF doubt
that Elsie Wangness had deliberately
eet GU, TO trap Arthur. He had come
10 visit in the Mills home, displaying
the full glory Of his gray summer suit,
helio,rope silk socks and tie, and with
businessliks assortment OF golf
clubs and tennis rackets and accom-
panied by Speckle, the sportiest look
ing Boston bullpup that ever was seen
on that street. Since Arthur was tall
and architectnrally designed after the
pattern of the young maa who makes
modern clothes Advertisements things
of beauty. it is easily seem that there
vas nothing for any girl In the neigh
toEhood to do but fall desperately In
love with him.
After. Arthur's arrival there began
a perfect surge of girls toward the
Millsresidenee. 1t appeared that thsr
sH:lored Violet half to death and were
sitting up nights planning entertain
ments for her to show their devotion
-entertainments to which she was re-
quested to tbring along your brother
John--and his guest"
But Elsie Wansness was the most
devoted Of them all, for she took to
bringing over her fancy. work and sit
ting on the porch with her dear friend
Violet. or course. she could not help 1t
il she was there when John and Ar,
thur happen cd to be there also.
::Eiolet recalled when she thought II
over, that Elsie most: generally had
been sitting there on the porch. when
the young men we're around. 1t vas
no wonder. then, that she actually he
gan wearing Arthurs. fraternity. pin.
mo doubt she had wrested it from
rim by main force! Violet had OBJ:
served that pin two seconds after Ar.
thurs arrival and Instantly wild hopes
otwearing it herself, before his depart,
ure seized upon her. Only a week OF
Arthur's visit had gone By before Elsie
ostentatiously displayed the pin and
also a maddening air of ownership OF
Arthur before Niolet's very eyes. Any
1ne can see. therefore, that Violet was
Justified in longing to say "Smarty"
and wrin kle' UP her nose.
The unwritten laws OF grlhood
;irown upon one girls flirting with
.soung man 10 whom another girl has
= prior right AS Violet told herself
holly. II she didn't have Arst right 10
visitor in her very own home, she'd
like TO know who did!
What Was hardest 10 bear was
Elsis's sweet commiseration. Her
every glance seemed 10 say how sorry
abe Wa. for Violet because Fiolet's al.
fractions were SO limited that it was
impossible for her TO capture hand
some young man. Violet, however was
convinced in the depths OF her heart
that II she had used one-si1teenth Of
The artful wiles OF Elsie she could
have beaten Elsie in the frst inning.
That was what came of being re-
served and modesto wasn't true that
men wanted 10 DO the chasing them
selves. Hereafter--violet set her lips
in way that presaged i'll for any help
less and unsuspecting masculine iudi.
vidual that fate henceforth threw in
her. path.
Arthur says he just loves brown
eyes Elsie would confde to her. VIC
lets eyes were blue. Or Arthur says
he much prefers smooth hair like
mine" violet's hair was naturally
uayy. After these little episodes Vic
let would retire to weep in rage and
mediate revenge.
II only in, some way she could get
even with Elsie it would assuage ths
bitterness ranking within her. That
she should have been such a simple,
ton AZ 10 let another girl get ahead
of her was dreadful reflection.
In the last week OF Arthur's stay,
when Elsie dropped frequent remarks
that were calculated TO show Violet
that Elsie expected to hear from AR.
thur frequently Violet broke six en-.
troide,y. needles. Arthur had said moth
ing about writing TO her!
The day the visitor vas to l.a's Ar
thur and John came home TO luncheon
and Elsie. Ebo had the chair nearest
tn. norcb steps, bestowed her sTeet.
est. nost:tewildering smile upon them.
II was az though she said 10 Viz
let: "Ses how Arthur rejoicss at ms
Welcome"
Then Arthur paused instead Of 20
ing indoors. je smiled down at Elsie
ana for an awful instant Violet Won.
dered if he vas going to maks lore to
her before Iiolsts anguished eyes!
rhen he spoke:
Say. small girl he said from the
t.ightoi his q years. don't forget
that In going Today and want my, PR
back that YOU borrowed. You see,
f.