Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-25
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
MISS PERVERSITY
!.uUH! Who ever heard of a girl
By June Johnson,

.sTTUEI! Who ever heard of girl
L i keeping n promise? Break 1t five
minutes after they made it." Thus in
scornful tones spoke Johnnie Lewis with
all the wisdom of his seventeen sum-
mers.
"Oh, is that so?" With a snap of her
blue eyes, Georgina Lewis spoke With
the superiority of an older sister. What
about me-"
Johnnie grinned. "Oh, you'd keep n
simple one he taunted. but good
stiff promise--you'd be like all the rest -
The girl flushed. Listen. Johnnie"
she commanded, you, re going to take
that remark back before YOU sleep q
me a good stiff dare that I can carry
out before tomorrow. Go ahead and
think of something" :"
i've got it, he cried. but it's a stiff
night at the Whites. While you're
there l dare you to contradict every
thing that's said to YOU that demands
an answer. If YOU carry that out I'll
matinee next Friday to square It. If
YOU don't--youll eat humble pie. 10
you hear?"
Then she sat up straight. Johnnie
had dared" her. II was her own fault.
It's a go. Johnnie" she replied quietly
at last
That evening a disconsolate Georgina.
having been 'forsaken by her faithle5s
brother, settled down in corner pre-
Jared foi 4 lonely evening.
Suddenly Alice Wells. n gushing Young
Miss, came fluttering up. "Oh. George
she beamed. i've been looking for you.
Turner is just back from France, you
know, and the poor boy is so borad. lie
me you weren't dancing tonight SO |
thought it was an ideal chance to intro
duce you to Turner"
PLEASED to meet YOU" murnurcl the
lieutenant when Alice introduced the
two.
And now the lieT.enant received the
beginning of series of shocils. For
Georgina. a do-or-die expression on her
face. was stammerng, NO. you aren't
pleased TO meet me-
The lieutenant was startled, 10 say
The least. He .gasped and twisted un-
easily in his chair Was his new ac-
quaintance mind reader"
} Have YOU met Professor Briggs
ing conversation. Hes very brilliant,
isn't he?"
A deep flush overspread Georgina face
then. mo, I don't think so."
The lieutenants eyebrows went up a
fractionef an inch; Then hastily chang
they're playing just now. isn't it?'
Johnnie's suffering sister looked Wild
ly around for an escape-there was none.
1T isn't catchy plucking nervously at
her fan. Its awfuly s-slow and stupid"
Turner racked his head for safer
topic. This young lady. he mused, had
a rather contradictory nature.
Well. he'd try a topic of local inter-
est Il see by the paper he ventured,
the Red Cross in this town is going to
hold benefit for blind soldiers. Bully
idea, isn't it?"
THIS time there was no hesitation on
Georgina's part. IL she had to contra
dict she had to. No" was the prompt
reply. lit isn't good idea. perfectly
foolish
And Their the lieutenant concealed his
establishment no longer. He stared,
then. without warning. burst into a
hearty laugh, and despite herself Geor-
gina followed suit
Come. 'fess up" said the lieutenant
finally, you don't look like a pessimist
let me share in the mystery"
Georgina dropped her eyes before the
soldiers steady gaze as she stammered.
Il can't explain just now. because
please. don't ask me. It's too silly-you
wouldn't understand"
But Turner did understand before the
evening was over, due to secret inter-
view with Johnnie.
That night, when the lieutenant bid
good night to Geo tina at her own door,
he said, with a boyish grin. You've
earned that matinee. Miss Perversity
and earned it well. BY the way. would
you mind very much IL ! happened to
be at that matinee next Friday--in the
who can stick to a 'dare'?"
And then Georgina showed how fem
mime she could be as she answered
softly, Yes, would mind very much
If you weren't there" Then with a
bubbling laugh she was goner>.
The next Complete novelette-Greater
Love Hath No. Man.