Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-04-04
FEMININE WARFARE

uSioeil, ,DuI Wuic Duly "ao wy
pretty girl she was engaged. and
therefore not to be feared. Her
fiance was going with them this after
noon.
They were all In the best OF spir'
its, and none more 90 than Helen. As
they left the porch she caught sight
Of girl approaching down the road.
Then she stood quite still, and her
eyes grew dark with apprehension.
Here's Mary Buckingham now!' =
note OF dismay In her voice. Il sent
her card last night, you know. Bet
ty, but"
"Oh. didn't she use to come to the
library-when we were out at the
Carnegie?"
But Mary had hailed them. How
stunning she looked as she crossed the
grass. her white tailored dress and
soft panama hat shining bright In the
rays of the SUM-. Helen felt cheap In
her stiff blue straw and shirtwaist
and skirt. and her heart sank at sight
OF the goin-to-win look In Franks
eyes.
1t was bad from the start He
found he knew Miss buckingham well
by hearsay, and one after another mu.
tual acquaintance was dragged forth
to put them on a firm footing, Only
when the party reached the boat did
relief come, in the necessity for the
men to get busy and cast off.
AS guest of honor Mary must sail
And of course. she required much at
tention. Often she. had to come q
little this way" or bear off into the
wind" and there were exciting mo-
ments of luf1ing and lacking when the
tiller went over with a bang, and it
took stronger hand than hers to
right 1t.
At such moments Helen felt saw
age. She would introduce subjects as
foreign as possible to Mary-intimate
things and otherwise--to make her
appear stupid in her silence. And
sometimes the old look was still IN
Franks face-and then Helen would
be treasured.
But Mary generally managed to join
in somehow, If only with a, question.
The other two had made their way
forward and were sitting close to-
gether In the bow. What could be
more exasperating than this three
sided conversation, Helen wondered!
She wouldn't try to keep 1t up any
longer. There was one grain OF COM
fort at any rate-it was only for this
afternoon. Mary might have him now,
but once on the train for home shed
be safely disposed Of, and things
would 90 on as before.
Would the time never pass? Helen
thought she would appeal to Betty for
help, and tried to draw the couple up
front into the conversation; but they
were too much occupied with them.
selves, and the attempt fell through
of it's own weight. How selfish en-.
gagged people we're! Or rather how
needless, for these two were totally
unconscious of all that was going on
behind them.
She must do something. Her hands
resting idle in her lap made her feel
altogether "out of it," Besides, the
helm was indeed the center Of the
boat. She must get the tiller into her
own hands.
Aren't you tired OF sailing, Mary?''
she suggested.
But Mary assured her she was not
and it was not till later, and after
more insistent urging, that she final
ly concluded that she was. Then al
last they changed places.
And the center of interest changed
with Mary. True, Frank still lent a
hand at the tiller, but not SO frequent
ly nor at all unnecessarily, and often
it was with head turned to speak to
Mary.
Helen gritted her teeth mentally
and forced smile now and then, with
a few words The sun was getting
low, and she hoped it was time C
50 home.
I'D love to have you stay to tea, OF
course, Mary, but you say you cant
ind you told me not to let you miss
the $50" she apologized as she ask
ed one Of the boys for the time.
Neither of the men had brought q
watch, however, SO it was up to them
TO hail a passing boat. There were
several such in sight, but none with
hailing distance. So they started of
in pursuit of the nearest; and had al.
most come up with her when she sud
denly started off on another tack
But they crossed the path Of the boat
behind her and were able to make
themselves understood by the jolly
crowd on board.
IT'S just $50" came across the
water In answer to their question.
The party was struck with conster'
nation.
"Why had no idea it was SO late!"
came from Mary.
Neither had l." chimed in Frank.
I've missed the last train in time
for dinner" exclaimed Mary.
"Oh, that's all right" Frank quickly
volunteered, I'll take you up in my
car"
mo, indeed yon won't" Helen
struck in most emphatically; "she
must stay for dinner, now she's miss
ed the train. You will, won't you
Nary" she asked eagerly. DO stay
I'm glad you missed it" she went
on breathlessly.
Frank turned to Mary. How about
it, Miss Buckingham? Is it go. OF
stay?"'
I'm afraid the folks'll think were
drowned if don't come back to din
ner," was the demure reply-Buffalc
Express.