Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-12
STANDING PAT

~
drug clerks were rapidly exhausting
! their stocks of wrinkle eradicators.
eye brighteners, miracle-working
beaches and other alleged aids to
beauty.
AS Leila Evans, Gladys Donohue
and Vivian BranfCrd walked arm IN
arm from Farrell hall to the gym
nasium. a young man in a ramshackie
buggy with one horse logged along the
graveled driveway. A slouched hat
was raised, revealing a massive cere-
head, shock of black hair and deep
gray eyes.
Heavens, here he Is again! wish
we could have one dance a year from
which Bob Kimberley could be ex-
cluded," said Gladys petulantly. II
just won't darce with him tomorrow
night"
Nor T. replied Vivian emphatical-
ly. He steps on your toes and tears
your dress. He's such bore. Let's
all stand pat and cut him. Then she
added with sneer: Hes not COL
lege man, you know"
college does not make men," said
Leila, with hurt eyes and paling
cheeks. Just think if these four
or five dances were the only contact
with your own kind Of people that YOU
had in a year, Just think, If you
had driven 40 miles to come to this
darce!"
IF there was anything to him, he
wouldn't live out on that old rundown
place in the hills" said Vivian.
But that old place has been In the
family for 100 years, VIVIAN" Leila
answered, land Bobs the only one OF
the boys that will stay there. ad-
mire him for his loyalty and his grit.
Aunt Polly and stopped there one
afternoon on our way to Eaton bay.
It's charming old home There Is a
great porch that runs all the way
round the house. The fireplaces are
that huge that"
oh, stop it. Lee. That has nothing
to do with his bad dancing. Why
doesn't your hero have an automobile
instead of that old buggy and pokey
hoiS uiiSuI lOiSlSG ullu IOI SIVk-
ping on my toes, then"
Leila made no answer, though
stubborn wrinkle about her mouth indi.
Gated that the matter was much upon
her mind
The ASSEMBLY hall was vivid pic-
ture Of college color and enthusiasml
Leila Evans, with her wavy night
black hair and flashing eyes. was the
prattiest girl on the floor. The fell
lows f1ocked about her. begging for
favor. :,
I'm sorry, Clemmy. I can let YOU
have only two dances tonight"
Girard Clement, acknowledged as
the best dancer and most desirable
beau at Blakemore, bit his lip. But"
But there are-others," she smiled
bewitchingly up into his amazed eyes,
and turned to a blonde young man at
her left. )
Isn't it shame, Tony, that I"heve
only the second extra for you?" 9th
ers Of Blakemore's finest flower had
to be content with extras. 49,. :,
A massive brow underneath a slrpc6
of dark hair doomed on the outer edge
Of Leilas circle of admirers. His
| firm, stronglyknit shoulders made
way to the girls side as easily and
| unconsciously as a mastiff moves
among a convention of fox terriers.
Il do hope you have saved sorae4
thing for me. I haven't been able to
get a single dance this evening"
Eyes, have 10 for YOU" Blushihs-
ly, she added: THAT is, have Ia
left-if you care for them
do dare take them all?" !
please do" And Bob Kimberley
scrawled his signature across every
| vacant place on her program. =:
When their first dance came, MUIR
muir went round the hail. Gladys Don
ohue remarked to Vivian Branford:j
We'll, that's the only dance he'll get
All the girls but Lee will stand pat .
Bob Kimberley did not step on Lei
las toes nor did he tear her dress.
but it was an effort to follow the mu-
sic with him. When the dance was
over, he bent low over her. Its per-
fectly gorgeous out under the trees.
There's moon, and it's very warm,
aAd-there is something want to tell
you. Will you Gomez" =
AS they walked through lane of
poplars. the man continues: I've.
always had faith in the old place. It's,
been deadly lonesome, and there have
been times when thought I couldn't
stand 1t longer. Do you remember the
afternoon that you and your Aunt
Polly sat on my porch? Since that.
day I knew that just had to strike
oil. And week ago did. and now
I'm going to spend my time doing ain
those things that I've missed for so
many years, and, among other things.
I'm going to learn to dance. know
all about standing pat Leila"
He came closer. I'm going to New
York in a couple Of days to settle up
about some contracts. I wonder If you
could go-that quickly, dear"
A slim white arm stole about his
neck
~ could go now" she whispered.
1t was many days before Gladys
Donohue or Vivian Branford ventured
upon the campus, and cutting is now
much frowned upon at Blakemore.-
New York Press.
A Thoughtful Parent.