The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-12-03

to find suitable matrimonial alliance
for him."
Gail, nibbling daintily at her choco-
late, closed her eyelids for a second,
the long. brown lashes curved down on
her cheeks, and from beneath them
there escaped a sparkle like the snap
OF live Goals. while the corners of her
lips twitched in that little smile which
she kept for her own enjoyment
You cannot appreciate the cUmpli-
ment which has been paid YOU. Gail
Every debutante for the past five
years has been most carefully consld
cred by the Van Plouns and / SINGER
ly believe this to be- the first TINE
they have unanimously agreed on Il
choice. 1t is matter ul eugenics. Gan
but In addition to that, Mr.. Van PIO"ii
assures me that Houston is most Ter.
vently interested
How careless OF them" criticized
Gail. They have neither asked for
my measurements nor examined my
teeth"
Call" Her chaperon and sponsor
was both shocked and stern.
Il positively decline to even discuss
the Van Ploon eugenics." stated Gail.
pushing aside her chocolates. while a
red spot began to appear on her
cheeks, Il shall not, as | stated be.
fore, be az home to Houston Van Ploon
this evening-or any other evening"
II shall not deliver that message. "
announced Mrs. Davies, setting her
lips. AS your present sponsor, | shall
insist that you take more time to con.
slider a matter so important.
81 shall insist on refusing to con.
slider It for one second" returned Gail
quietly. Il am very fond OF Houston
Van Ploon, and hope to remain So
but ! wouldn't marry him under any
circumstances. This is firm. nat. and
final"
Mrs. Helen Davies dropped patient
reason instantly. She was aware of
an impulsive wish that Gall were in
pinafores, and her own child, SO she
could box her ears.
Gail, you compel me to lose my pa.
tience!" she declared when you
came. strained every influence
possessed to have you meet the most
desirable eligibles this big city could
offer, just as II you were my own
daughter! have succeeded In work.
ing miracles! ! have given you an
opportunity to interest the very best!
You have interested them, but | have
never seen such extravaganza In the
waste Of opportunities! You have re-
fused men whom thousands In the
highest circles have sought: and now
you refuse the very choice Of them
all! What or whom do you want?"
Calls red spots we're deepening, but
she only clasped her knee In her inter.
locked fingers. her brown hair waving
about her face. and her chin uptilted
You cant always expect to retain
your youth, and beauty and charm!"
went on her Aunt Helen You can't
expect to come to New York every
year and look over the eligibles until
you find one to suit your fastidious
taste! You're capricious, you're un-
grateful. and you're unsatisfactory"
Calls eyes turned suddenly moist.
and the red flashed out Of her cheeks.
"Oh, Aunt Helen!" she exclaimed in
instant contrition. I'm so very. very
sorry that am such a disappointment !
to you! But II just can't marry Mr.
Van Ploon, cant. can |? Don't you
see" She was up now and down |
again. sitting on hassock in front OF !
Mrs. Davies, and the face which she |
upturned had in II 30 much of beauti. |
full appeal that even her chaperon and |
sponsor was softened II was nasty |
a while ago. and | had no excuse for |
1t, for you have been loving and sin. |
cere in your desire to make my future
happy I'm so very, very sorry! III
tell you what I'll do! You may 20 |
down and tell Mr. Van Ploon and his
daughter that | will see Houston this
evening, and then she smiled; but
you mustn't say. with pleasure.
The soft air which blew upon GaiI's
cheek was like the first breath OF
spring. and there was the far-or
prophecy Of awakening in the very sun.
shine as she sped out the river road
with Allison In his powerful runabout.
ITS glorious!" exclaimed Gail, her
cheeks answering to the caress OF the
IiT with . Aush Of blossomlike deli
'aHy. she WAs particularly cOntOntOd