The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-12-18
The SOLUTION
BY MARGUERITE HAGGERTY


Synd1cate.)
Hazel ran upstairs to her particu.
lar little nook, and fairly threw herself
into large lounging chair. IT guess
If stay up here and read for while
I will be left undisturbed for an hour
at least" thought this dainty little
miss. After few minutes had
elapsed, the book was thrown idly to
one side, and resting her head comfor-
tably on the back of the chair SHE
closed her eyes, intending to solve the
meaning of a letter that she had re-
ceived that morning. Then, on second
thought, she snatched the engrossing
missive from a nearby table and set
tied back once again to peruse Its con-
tents.
"Oh, how perplexing 1t all seems.
What can he possibly mean? Oh, well,
/ suppose l am too silly and nonsensi-
cal for words. The idea Of worrying
myself over his fitful moods" Thus
she argued with herself. One minute
plying her hero, and the next instant
ready to pounce upon herself for
wasting valuable time bordering over
his puzzling letter.
A half hour later, Edith, the peace
maker of the family, was passing to
her room, and happening to glance
into her younger sisters den, saw that
she was enjoying a serene little nap.
Edith was kindergarten teacher, and
had just returned home feeling rather
weary. Instantly 1t dawned upon her
that light luncheon served upstairs
near the coy freside would be both
inviting and soothing after a tedious
days teaching. Soon the shades were
drawn, and the electric lamp lit, cast.
ing a soft green glow over the room,
while tempting table set for two
sent such a delicious aroma through
out the room that none could possibly
escape it's lure. A merry ripple Of
laughter rang out, echoing down the
hallway to the rest Of the family
household, who were already partly
through with the evening meal. Ha-
Eel, blinking and smiling, jumped up
and kissed her sister affectionately,
at the same time silently uttering
prayer of Thanksgiving to heaven for
such thoughtful and generous-heart-
ed sister.
During the course of the meal, all
the petty trials and grievances Of the
day were talked over. Naturally, Ha-
Eel, still feeling quite upset, brought
into the discussion the arrival Of the
mvStarious lottor From, hor oA;onood
sailor boy.
Edith, dear, have felt blue all
day, but now that you are home 1t
seems that a rainbow has flashed over
my landscape, and frightened my
hopes"
well, Hazel, the only possible solu-
ton is that you must curb your pride,
and write him a very courteous letter.
In the meantime, younger sister,
the mischievous Miss Anna, who had
gained knowledge of the letter earlier
In the day, was patching up stray
thoughts, and was positive that she
must be the innocent troublemalSer,
who had prompted all this misunder-
standing. Anna was certainly nervous
that evening. First, q knife fell, then
plate went crashing to the floor.
Bang! down went a butter dish, and
oh, what daub that butter did make
on the carpet. For PHYS sake" re-
mOnStreted her mother, "can't you
hold a plate in your hands for five
minutes?'
The next day Anna, after contem-
plating on the unhappy incident that
had occurred. resolved to wavlay the
peacemaker. That same afternoon
quite an interview took place.
mo, Edith, please do not inform
Hazel that wore her green silk dress,
because after she refused to loan it
to me, why, promised to be content
with her rose crepe de chine. Then,
when I went to look over her ward
robe, the green dress looked so per-
fectly wonderful that could not re-
sist the temptation to wear it. OF
course" ahe went on, "Hazel was lying
down, aud stealthily slipped up
stairs and tried it on. The color suit
ed me so well, together with the fact
that am such terribly selfish and
vain girl, made 1t impossible for me
to refrain from wearing the gown.
That night, with George Parker at
the social, saw Jack Turner coming
towards me. I felt pretty guilty and
decided the best thing to do was to
shade my face with my hat. Probably
/ endeavored not to hold Georges
attention, and fairly succeeded. Do
you understand now why Jack wrote
In such melancholy strain? Poor
Jack. He thought Hazel was deceiv-
ing him. He might have known, how
ever, that Hazel would not refuse to
go with him in order to attend the So
cfal with George. I will straighten
matters out, though, If you will only
have confidence In me, Edith, and
please keep Hazel in ignorance Of the