The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-12-13

ne iophnig NJ ipih THU, SAID
Mrs. Parcber
Don't you suppose can see thatr
Mr.. farcher returned. with some irri
tatlon. That's what's the trouble
with him. Why don't he quit looking
at herr"
II think probably he feels bad be.
cause she's dancing with one OF the
other boys" said his wife mildly.
Then why can't he dance with some.
body else himself" Mr. Parcher In.
quired testify. instead OF standing
around like n calf looking out Of the
butchers wagonf by George. he looks
as N he was Just going to moo"
"Of course he ought 10 he dancing
with somebody" Mrs. Parcher remark.
ed thoughtfully. There are one or
two more girls than boys here. and
he's the only boy not dancing. I be-
licve Tlr'- And, not stopping 10 com.
pletc the sentence. she rose and walk.
ed across the interval Of grnss 10 WI.
liam. Good evening. william" she
said pleasantly. Don't you want to
dancer"
"Ma'amr said william blankly, and
the eyes he turned upon her were
CLASSY with anxiety.
Don't you want to dancer" Mrs
Parcher repeated. Have you looked
around for girl without n partner?"
"Girly" he echoed In a tone Of feeble
Inquiry
She smiled and nodded taking his
arm You come with me-" she said
I'm TX you up"
William suffered her 10 conduct him
across the yard. Intensely preoccupled
with what he meant to do as soon a.
the music paused, he was somewhat
hazy. but when he perceived that he
was being led In the direction Of q
girl sitting solitary under one Of the
maple trees the sudden shock Of fear
aroused his faculties.
"What-w where he stammered, halt
ing and seeking to detach himself from
his hostess
"What Is q p she asked.
Il got got to- William began I'M
easily. II got to-
His purpose was to excuse himself
on the ground that he had to find
man and tell him something important
before the next dance. for In the con-
fusion Of the moment his powers re-
fused him greater originality. But the
vital part Of his intended excuse re-
manned unspoken. being dlsregarded
and cut short. MS millions OF other mas
cullne dipl"macies have been through
ont the centuries 10y the decisive action
OF ladies.
Miss Boke had been sitting under the
maple tree for a long time-so long. In
deed. that she was acquiring a pro-
found distaste for forestry and even
for maple strip. In fact, her state OF
mind was as desperate in its way as
Williams And when a hostess leads
a youth IN almost perfectly fitting con
ventional black toward a girl who has
been sitting alone through dance after
IL going TO have TO do.
u must be- confessed for Miss Boke
TINT her eyes had been upon William
from the moment Mrs. Parcher ad.
dressed him She sprang 10 her feet
aud met Mrs. 'archer more than half
way.
"Oh, Mrs. Parcherr' she called. com
Ing forward
II got the panic stricken william
again hastily began. 81 got to-
"Oh. Mrs. Parcher." cried Miss Boke.
1--WE been SO worried! There's a can
die In that japanese lantern Just over
head and | think II Is going out"
I'm run and get fresh one in a
minute" said Mrs. Parchcr. smiling
bcnevolcntly and retaining Williams
arm with a little difficulty. We were
Just coming To find you. I've brought
II got to-I got to find a m VII
liam made n last stricken effort.
Miss Boke. this Is Mr. Baxter" said
Mrs. Parchcr and she added. with
what seemed 10 William hldeous gar
rulity: lie and you both came late,
dear. and he hasn't any dances engaged
either. SO run and dance and have a
nice time together"
NV AAAi h'AA'i VI l'SlNi'u WIS
revealed to William In the relieved
confident, proprietor's smile OF Miss
Boke, for William lived by code
from which no previous experience had
taught him any means OF escape. Mrs.
Parchcr had made the statement, So
needless and SO ruinous. that he had
no engagements. and In hts dismay he
had been unable 10 deny this fatal
truth. lie had been obliged to let II
stand
He had TO give form TO the fatal
Invitation. MAY this dance 'thyou?'
he muttered dosgedly.
"Nurry pleased to-" Miss Boke re-
sponded. whereupon they walked In
silence TO the platform. stepped upon
Its surface and embraced
They made false start. then an
other, They stood swaying TO catch
the time. then made another. After
that they tried again and were saved
from fall only by spasmodic and no,
Iiceable contortlons.
Miss Boke laughed tolerantly. as n
William for his awkward
ness. and his hot heart grew hotter
with that injustice. A coarse chuckle.
/ half suppressed snort. assailed VII |
In n "a Sanrlat aar AMI FRAN Tho amman