The Ordway new era., 1914-02-27
STANDING PAf

II was the day before the JUNIOR
prom at the Blakemore. The campus
was a-thr1Il with expectancy. Dress
makers were sewing far into eo
night; express companies were roi
ing overtime under florists oroels'
drug clerks were rapidly exhaustins
, their stocks of wrinkle eradica.ois'
eye brighteners. miracle workins
bleaches and other alleged aids "
beauty.
As Leila Evans, Gladys Dononue
and Vivian Branford walked arm m
arm from Farrell hall to the gym
nasium, q young man in ramshacNe
buggy with one horse logged along the
Rraveied driveway. A slouched hat
was raised, revealing massive iore-
head. a shock of black hair and deep
/, gray eyes.
Heavens, here he Is again! wlsh
we could have one dance year from
which Bob Kimberley could be e1-
ciuded,' said Gladys petulantiy
just won't dance with him tomorrow
night" =
Nor l." replied Vivian emphatical-
your dress. He's such bore. Let's
all stand pat and cut him! Then sne
added with sneer: Hes not COL
lese man, you know"
college does not make m-e-n. said
Leila. with hurt eyes and paiins
cheeks. Just think If these four
or FIVE dances were the only contact
with your own kind of people that you
had in year! Just think. If you
had driven 40 miles to come to this
dance."
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. 'tand Bob's 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 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
horse? / might forgive him for step
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
turs Of college color and enthusiasm.
Leila Evans. with her wavy night
black hair and flashing eyes. was the
prettiest girl on the floor. The fel-
lows focked about her. begging for
favor.
I'm sorry. Clemmy, l 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 blonde young man at
her left
Isn't It a shame. Tony. that have
only the second extra for you?" 9th
ers OF Blakemore's finest flower had
to be content with extras.
A massive brow underneath shock
Of dark hair loomed on the outer edge.
| of Leila's circle of admirers His
firm. strongly-knit shoulders made
way to the girls side as easily and
unconsciously as a mastifr moves
among a convention Of fox terriers.
Il do hope you have saved some
thing for me. haven't been able to
got n IL ~eyl1 DO . III
"Yes. have IL for you" Blushing-
ly. she added: THAT is. l have IL
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. a mur.
muir went round the hall. Gladys Don.
ohue remarked to Vivian Branford:
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 1t was an effort to follow the mu.
sic with him. When the dance was
over he bent low over her. Its per.
fectly gorgeous ont under the trees.
There's moon. and It's very warm
and-there is something want to tell
you. VIII you Gomez"
As they walked through a lane Of
poplars, the man continued: 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 II longer. Do you remember the
afternoon that you and your Aunt
Polly sat on my porch? Since that
day knew that Just had to strike
oil. And week ago did. and now
I'm going to spend my time doing all
those things that I've missed for 40
many years. and. among other things
I'm going to learn to dance. know
all about standing pat Leila"