The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-02-24


Ter, could he have learned who the lady
was or where she lived. would have
moved heaven and earth to find a mu-
tual friend to introduce him. But he
could not attach himself long enough
to her to get any information about
her. Once while chatting with friend
on the street $! passed him, and be
asked the friend if he knew her. Had
the reply been definitely in the mega
tive Spangler would have accepted the
inevitable. 1t is not the inevitable that
troubles us: We recover from it very
soon. 1t is the might have been-the
slip 'twiXt the cup and the lip. Soang-
ler's companion gave him excruciating
agony by saying that he had met the
lady. but for his life he could not tell
when or where. what was her name or
where she lived.
'Think." said Spangler.
His friend thought. but with no re-
suit.
You're stupid as an OWL" snapped
Spangler. IF l had met a girl any.
where would surely be able to recall
something by which she might be iden-
titled"
1t seemed as If fate were determined
to tantalize Spangier. He saw the girl
he wished to know on trolley car
He tried to board the car. but it was
going at breakneck speed. One day
he was sitting in railway car, just
leaving station. when an incoming
train passed him. Al q window he
saw her just long enough for her to
lower her eyes from his to the ribbon
In his buttonhole. Then again she was
gone. On another occasion, while on q
ferryboat. he saw her standing on the
deck of another boat going the other
way. Yet never in any of these meet
tnss did she show the slightest recog-
milton Of ever having seen him before.
Spangler had q bosom friend, to
whom he told his story, mentioning
the fact that. though the girl on pass
ing him never failed to cast a momen-
tary glance on the ribbon in his but
tonhole, she also failed to show the
slightest recognition of him, not even
permitting herself an amused smile.
III tell you what you do" said his
companion. THE next time you pass
her pull the ribbon from your button
hole and wave it about your head
ecstatically. Try her on that. and if
it doesn't break the ice the next time
kiss it and weep over it."
Spangler was much comforted by this
Idao. h1It 1nrorli lilo hn Df
ever meeting the girl again. And he
didn't-that is. he didn't pass her on
the street or in a railroad car or an
automobile. But fate was waiting to
give him far better opportunity than
any of these. One evening. being in
vited to dance. he donned his spike
tail coat. his low cut white vest
with eighteen carat gold buttons, and
appeared on the scene, quite ready for
any conquest that might present itself
He had no sooner appeared at the dor
of the dancing hall. his thumbs III his
trousers pockets and his neck stretch
ed to see over his Unfortunately high
shirt collar. than he espied the object
of his alteration careering with her |
head over her partners shoulders In |
the two step.
He had his ribbon In his pocket-he |
never wore it where it would attract |
attention. though he always carried it |
with him-and on seeing his inamorata
he whipped it out and tied it in his |
buttonhole Choosing partner, he
sailed into the dance, steered her to-
ward the lady he desired to impress
and had the satisfaction to see her
eyes fixed on the ribbon as she passed
him; but, as at the other meetings.
her face was as impassive as q marble
statue
I'll break through that If have to
disgrace myself to do it" said Span
gler. And. going into the gentlemen's
dressing room. he took the string from
one of his low patent leather shoes
and tied the ribbon in it in butterfly
knot of great beauty. On re-entering
the hall he found the jewellers forming
for square dance. Finding his part
ner. he led her to the set in which the
girl whose attention he wished to at
tract had taken position and establish
ed himself as her vis.a-vis. She ignor-
I'd him as completely as ever. While
standing still his trousers covered his
blue ribbon shoestring.
The music struck up. and the head
couples moved forward and back.
Spangler on advancing raised his be-
foot and swung 1t in grace
mi Tho lndv 0nrncifo /
'tood her ground. but the rigidity of
Ter face showed signs Of giving way.
As Spangler receded he left the dec
'rated S Zoe rs far forward as possible.
IN turning corners he held it high
topping around on the other foot
The goal was won! The lady who
lad furnished the ribbon and laced
lis shoe burst into laughter.
There We're more explosions during
he dance. and when 1t was finished
nd Spangler led his partner to seat
ear that of the girl whose reserve he
lad conquered the latter gave him
mile that said plainly. Come and
peak to me-" He approached. saying
l beg Of you to suggest some one to
Introduce me-" To which she replied
a man needs no Introduction to
frl who has tied his shoe" and
made room for him be
lde her.
Spangler in telling the story. which
e does on ever? possible occasion. al !
rays ends with the words. 1T isn't !
luch of yarn. but it illustrates what
Estimate creatures girls are" Where
Don his wife adds: Girls are queer.