South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-20
THE SOAP BUBBLE
OUR OWN SHORT STORY
By Paul Methoen

As to exactly how the Oakhampton
military ball originated. opinions diff
fer. Undoubtedly Marjory had a good
deal 10 do with IT,. There were. how
ever. others. Lady ChenistOn. the host
ess for Instance the wife Of the lord
lieutenant OF the county. Cheniston
Towers IS a spacious mansion. and its
ballroom can accommodate "A great
many feet. so invitations were issued
FAR and wide. The black coat OF the
civilian mingled with the khaki OF the
warrior. and as for the girls. they
were gathered in from all parts OF
the county.
Marjory was quite a success at the
ball. This, Of course. was only what
she expected. She promised TO cOnsti
tute herself a planet. around which a
group Of khaki satellites revOlved.
The mere civilian she left for her
less fortunate sisters. She conceded
the fact that everyone couldn't be a
soldier. but she qualified it with the
reservation that in those circumstances
he couldn't expect to dance with her.
Consequently n was quite annoyed
when n found that she had allow
ed herself 20 be introduced TO a good
looking young man In well-cut civilian
evening dress. and that he had in
serted his initials in a vacant space on
Mfl VlUEA 0llls anu NaAhtu Oll Win a
bow before she could say that hat
dance was engaged, or make one Of
the numerous Reuse available for
young ladies'.
She had been talking 10 her khaki
friends at the time. and she hadn't
caught the strangers name. She
glanced at her program, and saw hat
he had scrawled G. +. on IT,. Then
one of her partners claimed her. and
she forgot all about him.
She saw G. p. from time TO time. on
one occasion she felt him.. He was
obviously a very bad dancer; but he
was a very cheerful one. She felt that
such high spirits were positively indie
cent in anyone who didn't wear a
uniform.
She looked at him severely. when
later. he sauntered up TO claim his
dance.
My dance. I think" ne remarked
airly. apparently quite that
he was addressing the belle OF the ball
Really began MarjOry, stiffiy; but
he interrupted her.
NO" he said. ''sittin' outs bad for
you; bsides this is such a jolly dance.
us it2' she answered coldly.
She intended to snub THIS exceed
ingly forward young nan but you
can't snub a person who doesn't know
hat he is being snubbed. Presently
she found her arm in his. and that he
was leading her into the ballroom. II
seemed TO nave happened mechanical
~. To withdraw would have been
more undignifed than TO proceed. So
she resigned herself TO her fate-with
her nose IN the air.
That may have contributed TO the
collision.
collision.
You weren't looking" said her
partner r~eprOachfully, as he helped
her to her feet.
why should 1 look"
Why. to steer, OF course" he ans
Wered calmly. Il can't steer. l
should have thought anyone could see
that"
Mariory tried TO hin of something
crushing. but the others audacity was
too much for her. 1t seemed 10 de-
prive her Of thought. She felt limp.
II thought il was a mans duty 20
steer was all that she was able TO
say, and although she emphasized her
remark as unpleasantly as she could,
il sounded very ineffective.
: il Is, rejOined her partner. If
he can. If he can't. self-preservation
should make his partner do IL for him.
However, as YOU can't steer either.
let = E0 anu nave some fOllte Of
Marjory turned OF him Indignantly.
Il can't steer" she exclaimed. How
can YOU say such "a thng2"
Well he answered. 1t looked like
IL. but anyway IL doesn't matter; lets
go and Kill a sandwich or somethinE."
Marjory made a desperate effort.
II shouldn't have thought YOU were
good at killing anything, n remark
ed. as she thought with point. but the
point didn't pierce.
Then come and watch me murder
n meringue,' said the irresponsible
one.
There was nothing funny i'm the re-
mark but the way he said it made
Marjory laugh, and after that, dignity
was impossible. She allowed herself
TO be taken and fed" as her master
ful companion put IT, IND when later
she found herself sitting out with him
in 8 cosy corner" she discovered TO
her surprise that he was really en-
joying herself very much.
Her partner was apparently enjoy
ing himself. too.
This is really very nice he said,
playing with her fan. She was hold
ing il AT the time.
She handed il 20 him.
Yes she agreed. lit is rather
pretty"
He put il down with a bored air.
Not without the girl at the other
end. he objected.
Marjory drew herself up.
Really" she said. cant YOU think
Of anything better To do than 10 nirt
with me"
No" he answered. II can't. Can
you2"
Yes" she replied severely. 81