Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-10-23

CONSOLATION PRIZE
BY KATHERINE HoPSON,

nS Ab>S 40 ~ IiNS hS. SSSAAo Ae
sprained ankle debars him from the
skating party, l am invited to remain
as the consolation prize. OtherwtHA
/ should hardly have a chance to
| speak to the noted liou." Gail Bent
ley's tone was bitter as she voiced her
thoughts aloud before her dressing
table.
Bitterness was not usually a quail
tty Of her nature, but b was still
smarting from her sister Edith's laugh
ing remark
Mr.. Reynold is safe with you." she
had said. Il wouldn't trust him to an
afternoons tete-a-tete with any one
else"
Yes, he's safe enough. Any girls
admirer would be-" Gau studied her
reflection grimly. In spite OF her dis
| paragement, it was really a pretty
face hat looked back in the mirror
sensitive and high-bred, with delicate
features and big serious eyes. That
was the trouble, the whole face was
too serious-it was devoid Of girlish-
ness and vivacity.
The queer part of it is, Gail really
Aoono AhS AiS PSopiS CAV WIN W
declare, but she is so sober, and her
sister is all sparkle and charm" 1t
was this which had attracted Bertram
Reynold, a noted portrait painter, who
was guest of honor at Mrs. Gre
der's house party. From the first
he had paid marked attention to her
beautiful niece, Edith, and had asked
permission to paint her as the cen
trail figure in a new picture he was
working on. He had made several
sketches of her in different poses and
days ago, when Reynold met with an
accident while hunting, and sprained
his ankle, thus being debarred from
the skating party, which was to be
the GROWING event OF the week.
Such a pity, too," Gail heard her
Aunt Myra remark to Mrs. Kelley as
they entered the formers little sitting
room across the hall. lust when
things were getting interesting. Edith
is such a picture in her skating cos
tune n new mink furs; and skins
over the ice like "a bird. OF course she
must go-she's the life of the party.
So I've asked Gail to stay and help me
entertain Mr.. Reynold this afternoon.
She will not hinder Edith's chances"
Tears rose in Calls yes. rs that
what every one thinks of me-merely
a foil for Edith?"
Its true she Is a picture" Gail ad-
mitted later as the skating party
started off in the big sleigh. Edtth's
piquant face was aglow under the
scarlet Tam. The fur scarf was
thrown carelessly about her Shout
ders revealing a glimpse of her snowy
neck.
This brought to CAL a pang CT real
ization Of how her own sensitive
throat always kept her from doing
those graceful, careless things like
other people. Il always have to bun
die up like an old woman!"
AS the sleigh disappeared from view,
she turned with a sigh from the hall
window to enter the library. Mr.. Rey-
mold was comfortably ensconced In a
big Morris chair, with Aunt Myra sit
ting near, crocheting and chatting
| pleasantly. Gail was glad she was
there, and entered the room feeling a
little less shy and constrained.
How shall l entertain him all the
afternoon" she wondered; but soon
found there was no occasion to worry
about that, for Mr.. Reynold did the en-
tertaining. He was telling about his
kstudant days in New York and Paris.
Gail found herself listening as to a
fascinating romance. Even when a
caller came to see her aunt on bust.
ness and she left the room, Gail still
| felt interested and at ease-like other
girls.
She was wearing a dress OF warm
gray, with a wide crimson girdle and
touches Of the same at the neck. Be
hind her were some heavy portieres
OF a deeper shade Of red.
Suddenly, in the midst Of what he
was saying Reynold broke off with:
Would you let me sketch you, Miss
Bentley-as you are sitting now?'
In w~onderment that any one should
ask such a thing, she gave consent:
and still chatting. Reynold turned tc
his easel and began to work.
As his interest grew, he became con
Edentfal, and told her some Of the
hopes and plans for future work, and
Gail forgot to be constrained and
shy.
Mrs. Creder returned, and on see
ing that her guest was well entertain
ed. withdrew to attend to the hundred
and one duties which were hers az
hostess of a large house party.
Both Gail and the artist were sur
prised when the waning day. old that
the short winter afternoon was gone
A few minutes later the skaters re
turned with glowing accounts Of the
afternoons pleasure, During the con
fusion Gail slipped away-the little
left-out feeling again returning. Now
that more attractive girls had come
she was no longer needed-or want
ed She had noticed Reynolds eyes
brighten with pleasure at the sight O.
Edith's glowing face, and that of pref
t. Lucy Bowers, another charming
guest.
"Will it always be like this, I won
der? Shall l just fill in chinks left BY
more fortunate people? Why is it
why She knew of many girls whe
were really much palmer than she
who had many attractions and gooe
times.
Thus the old order was resumed ant
continued until the close of the house
narty which came the following Sat