The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1916-01-14

| " On the de4ehSiVe.
i shall not be At home this eve
alng," announced Gail dscisiyely. ana
stretched out her feet again. and
crossed her little gray slirneAl and
took = chocolate. "or any other eve
Ding.- she added.
Mira. Davies lost her nutter imne-
diately. This was too stupendousiy
serious . matter TO be weakly treated.
my dear. you don't understand"
she protested. not In anger. but In pa
tent reason Houston Van Ploon has
been the unsttainable match OF New
York He is gentleman In every par
ticular. desirable young man In every
respect. and gifted with everything q
young girl would want. He has 20
much money that you could buy q
Kingdom and be queen. II you chose
to amuse yourself that way. He has q
dignihed old family, which makes mere
social position seem like an ignomini'
Gus scramble for cotillion favors: and
II is universally admitted that he Ii
the most perfect OF all the Van Ploons
for many generations. Not exception.
ally clever: but that Is one OF the rea.
sons the Van Ploons are 30 particular
TO end q suitable matrimonial alliance
for him"
Gall. uibbling dAintily at her choco-
late. closed her eyslids for q second.
the long. brown lashes curved down on,
her cheeks. and from beneath them
there escaped o sparkle like the snap
OF live Goals. while the corners OF her
lips twitehed In that little smile which
abe kept for her own enjoyment
You cannot appreciate the comph.
ment which has been paid you. Gail
Every debutante for the pact ave
years has been most carefully consid-
cred by the Van ploons. and sincere.
ly believe this to be the nrst time
they have unanimously agreed on n
choice. II Is a matter OF eugeuics, GAN.
but In addition to that. Mr., Var Ploon
assures me that Houston Is most fer.
'yently interested"
How careless OF them" criticized
! Gail, They have neither asked for
my measurements nor examined my
teeth"
| Call" Her chaperou and sponsor
Was both shocked and stern.
Il positively decline TO even discuss
the Van ploon eugenIcs.' stated Gail.
pushing aside her chocolates. whils a
red spot began to appear on her
cheeks, Il shall not. as | stated be
fore. be at home to Houston Van Ploon
this evenlns--or any other evening
Il shall not deliver that message, '
announced Mrs. Davies. setting her
lips. As your present sponsor. l shall
insist that You take moro time to COO.
slider q matter so important"
Il shall insist on refusing to con
slider II for one second" returned Gall
quietly. Il am very fond OF Houston
Van Pieon, and hope to remain 40
but wouldn't marry him under any
circumstances This 10 Arm. Cat, and
final"
Mrs, Helen Davies dropped patient
reason instantly. She was aware Of
an impulsive wish that GAii were In
pinafores. and her own child. so she
could box her ears.
Gall. you compel me to lose my pa.
tience!" abe declared When you
came. strained every influence I
possessed to have you meat. the most
desirable eliEibles this big city could
offer, just as II you we're my own
daughter! have succeeded 10 work.
ing miracles! have given you an
opportunity to interest the very besti
You have interested them. but | have
never seen such extravagRnce In the
waste OF opportunities! You have re-
fused men whom thousands In tho
highest circles have sought, and now
YOU refuse the very choice OF them
all, What or whom do you wantl"
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 can't always expect TO retain
your youth. and beauty and charm"
ven, on her Aunt Helen You can't
expect to come TO New York every
year and look over the eligioles until
you and one 10 suit your tAstdious
taste! You're cApr!cioue, 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 eontrition- I'm 90 very, very
sorry that arm such d;ssp 2oin tine nj
to you, hut IL just can't marry Mr..
Van Ploon, | can't. can |! Don't you
see!' she Was UP now and down
again, sitting on nassock IN front Of
Mrs. Davies, and the face which she
up,urned had In Il 50 much OF beauti.
tul appeal that even her chaperon ard
sponsor WAS softened I was nasty
while age, and had no excuse for
Il. for you have been loving and sin.