The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-08-08


per SyndiCate)
"Oh, dear, / wish | looked like other
girls; it's no wonder nobody likes me.
This old hair! Every time 1 look in
that glass | just want to scream"
This outburst arose from Virginia
Ray the youngest of three sisters, or
Fluffy, as her school chums called her,
owing to Il wealth of auburn fluffy
hair
why, my dear" exclaimed her
mother entering the room, whats
worrying my little girl? Look at the
pretty eyes all swollen"
"Oh mother" Virginia stormed. 81
just wish l didn't have this old hair.
I've brushed it and combed it till I'm
tired out and 1t doesn't change one bit:
l think I'll be tempted to cut it all
off one of these days if they plague
me any more about it." Then she told
her mother how they had nicknamed
her Fluffy, to match her hair. Mrs.
Ray tried to comfort her by telling her
''some girls would be crazy to have
those curls."
AT the supper table the main topic
was the dance to be held that eve
ming for the boys over there. "And,"
chirped Helen, second eldest, capt.
Arthur Harvey of the - regiment
is going to be there; they say he is
a sumner and unmarried"
No one had noticed the pretty flush
that had come to Virginia's face nor
that she had tasted very little supper,
and on pretense of being so tired she
begged to be excused
Once out Of their sight she gave way
to her thoughts. Il WONDER" she
muSed, could it be possible?" and trip
ping upstairs she made her way to her
sister Marys wardrobe and selected
gray georgette crepe dress, the pref
test she could find. 1t would do no
harm to try it on, she thought; then
arranging her hair up high she viewed
herself in the long mirror. Gosh, I
never knew | could look so nice" and
trotting in delight to her own room,
she decided to go to the dance.
Eight o'clock found the hall quite
crowded, orchestra playing, and every
body bubbling over with happiness. In
the farthest corner sat Virginia all
alone and unnOticed as she thought.
She had seen her two sisters having
the time of their lives and almost
wished she hadn't come, but then her
thoughts Strayed to the object of her
presence there, and she started anoth-
er understanding search, but of no
avail.
Suddenly the orchestra struck up a
lively fox trOt, and Virginia was lost
in beating time humming and watch
ing the different steps and didn't mind
the time passing. Pardon me-" came
in a low voice. "Why aren't you en-
jOying yourself like your sisters and
the rest?' Virginia turned suddenly to
find herself face to face with the man
she had come purposely to see. 'Oh,
+ she stammered. Really, | must
be going But she didn't go alone,
for Captain Harvey asked permission
to escort her home, and after some
hesitation she decided to allow him.
1t was i pleasant walk home, and
when Virginia asked him, How did
you remember me after such a long
time?' he replied: "Well, when came
into the hall | glanced around to see if
there was anybody knew, and for the
minute, | must confess, | was some
what disappointed; you see the crowd
seemed so strange to me. But when 1
happened to glance over in a certain
corner | saw you, and stepping up to
one of the fellows / inquired who the
lady was with the fluffy hair. You
know it is some time since we became
acquainted, and for another minute I
forgot we We're friends ESQ careless Of
me-; so finally putting on my thinking
cap recoliected everything" He con-
tinued talking about the good times
they had that summer they were to-
gether-the picnic, the little pool
where they had learned to swim
when suddenly he turned to see if Vir-
ginia was enjoying it, and to his
amazement saw two big tears rolling
down her cheeks. "StOp right where
you are" she cried. you are like all
the rest, and l thought you were 50
different. Oh, why does everybody
ridicule my hair?"
Captain Harvey had been so inter-
ested in talking over those times he
forgot he had even mentioned her hair,
and-f0r answer he put one strong arm
| around her and. lifting the tear
stained face, he said: I've only known
you little while, grille, but I like you;
and, honest, l wasn't making fun of
your hair" Virginia looked up, eyes
sparkling at hearing his humble con-
| fessiOn, and then to his surprise she
told him how she happened to be
there. You see, Captain Harvey"
smiling through her tears, 81 heard
them say you We're going to be there,
so l was bound to go, even though |
had to borrow Il dress, and" she
stammered-"I guess I'm not disap-
pointed, after ALL" "Nor l." chimed
in Harvey, because l adore fluffy
hair"