The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-11-06
PLANNED OPPOSITE
BY MISS STELLA L, COLE.

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Dear mel" Iamented Virginia
Paget, 1T seems as If everything plan
lately comes out just the other way
from what l want it to. I don't be-
ieve that 1 have planned thing in
the last month but what just the sppo-
ste thing has happened"
"So?" queried her brother Jim, LOOK
ing up from his book.
Yes, sol" she replied. 'sNow. for
instance, l wanted to go to the concert
last Thursday night, but on account Of
severe headache had to stay at
home. Sunday night I wanted to call
on the Browns, and Kate Briggs came
In and stayed until it was too late to
go. And then tonight I particularly
wanted It to be fair, and It rained !
Even the weather conspires against
me! And it always happens that If
put on a comfortable dress and pre-
pare to spend quiet evening at home,
some one special calls; but II I dress
up and sit around just longing for
pleasant company, I am doomed to
spend the entire evening alone"
Silence a moment, then Jim's book
struck the table and his feet hit the
floor with a thud. II say, Sis," he
shouted, do you mean to say that
everything you plan comes out the Oh
posite way?"
eyes, that's just what I mean," she
replied.
well. you silly goose" he said, "the
solution is easy. Just plan things OPP
posite from the way you want them
to happen"
Virginia's face was still gloomy.
well, according to my numerous ex-
periences that rule would be success
full" she said.
Say, I'll tell you what" said Jim.
TRY 1t for week and see what hap
pens. If the experiment is a success,
all well and good. If it isn't, you have
nothing to lose. Now, will you do it ?"
Il will try your remedy for a week.
II 1t works out, shall be made hap
py."
1t was on the morning of the sew
enth day. "Well, Virginia, how is your
experiment working outY questioned
Jim.
mot at ALL" she replied. "Here I've
been planning opposites all the week,
and simply nothing has happened"
But Jim remained unruffled. "Per-
haps you haven't done 1t in the right
spirit" he said. you must plan these
opposites, just as If they were really
going to happen, you know. Now, for
Instance, what about tonight?''
'Tonight? Well, tonight I guess I
will put on an old dress, get buried in
an interesting book"
(which means that you want some
one you care for to call on your"
"Yes."
And you would be willing to have
some one you care for call on you.
then. when you have an old dress on?'
Certainly not. stupid Il shall have
another dress where can get into it
Quickly!"
"Ah!" exclaimed Jim. II feared so.
Cheated every night. I suppose. How
can you expect the experiment to work
out unless you are fair about it? Never
mind that other dress tonight, but do
just as If you really expected to spend
the evening alone. Now will you?
A moments hesitation, then vir-
ginia's decision was made. eyes" she
said.
A young woman with untidy hair,
soiled dress and shabby shoes, sat in
the parlor reading when suddenly the
bell gave sharp ring. Resisting an
impulse to flee Virginia turned to the
door. perhaps it is Kate Briggs" she
thought consolingly.
At the door stood khaki-clad figure
upon whose shoulder strap was the
lieutenant's bar, and across whose
face was a broad smile. "Good eve
ming. Virginia." he said. II am home
for few days, and thought would
call on you"
Virginia's face burned with embar.
rassment. Robert Thomas! The man
OF the whole world who held the high,
est place in her heart. That he, of all
men, should see her thus. But with q
supreme effort she gained her self-con.
troll, and smiled as she extended her
hand. "Why, Robert, I am so glad to |
see you!" she said. "Come right in !"
No one would have guessed the eff. !
fort 1t cost Virginia to keep her poise
as she engaged her caller in an ami
mated conversation. But her heart
sank as he rose. Surely there was no
hope for her after this. She had tried
the experiment fairly. It had worked
out to the letter, but by so doing she
had lost the thing dearest to her in the
whole world.
Then the soldier turned, and took
her hands in his. "virginia," he said.
please forgive me If have seemed to
De unlind. Jim told me about the ex-
pertinent you were making and so de-
.ided that I, too, would make an ex-
pertinent. have cared for you a long
line, dear, but I wanted to be sure
nat you possessed those qualities
which 80 |