The Meeker herald., 1919-08-09

usually, but nowadays girls are doing
such odd things. Perhaps that 10 no
worse than being an elevator girl, and
one Of the Van Dyckman girls-per-
fectly splendid family, you know-has
Just gone In for that"
However Dixon James was not quite
SO resigned as was Mariana's mother.
Mariana went ahead with her plans.
and having applied for the position as
conductor. resIgnedly waited the three
weeks that were to elapse before her
services would be needed. To make
the time pass more pleasantly. Dixon
got his mother to get up house party
at their country place. and Mariana
packed her little trunk and rehearsed
the new dance steps with considerable
enthusiasm.
There was to be little dance the
first night Of the party and Marina
wns laying out her newest danC.g
frock and other accessories on her
bed before dinner, when Dix's mother
an old-fashioned little gray-haired
lady with a twinkle In her brown
eyes-knocked at her door.
mariana, dear" she said. II am
asking you a favor that don't think
you'll mind granting. First. did you
bring any riding togs7"
"Oh. yes. indeed brought two sets
Dix said there would be some riding.
I'd love to let someone have either
outfit"
THAT is sweet Of you. dear." said
the older woman, 'but that Isn't the
favor. You see, we are two men shy.
There are seven girls and only Ave
men-two of the men have Just got
their commissions and had to disnp-
point us. Girls do dreadfully hate to
dance with girls. but thought for a
lark you'd be willing to play man. Dix
says you make wonderful boy. You
understand-you wear your riding
things and play man. will your
MarIana's enthusiasm was genuine,
and willingly did she hang the pink
ruffles and furbelows back In the ward
robe and don her most boylsh riding
suit.
you can lead. can't your Dix
asked her after dinner when they had
cleared the floor for the little dance
and Mariana admitted that she could.
ats awfully decent of you. I'll intro
duce you to the girls you don't know.
Well call you Teddy to make 1t seem
natural"
Mariana had not at first realized
that she was to play the role Of Teddy
for the entire house party, but she
was. and 30 her dressing simplifed
itself to simply changing from one rid
ing suit for day wear to the other for
evening. In the meantime she danced
only with girls and rode beside them
and walked beside one of the other OF
them on all the little outings ana really
saw nothing Of Dix or any Of the other
men.
After all the guests had retired ono
night Mariana knocked at the door Of
one Of the gtrls-one she had been
escorting on a moonlight stroll that
evening. III you have two dressing
gowns. would you awfully mind lend
ing me one7 I've only got the pajama
sort. and-well. am getting tired
wearing trousers. want to be a girl
Just in my own ROOM" And the
other girl laughlngly handed Teddy
her Funniest, lacIest pink chiffon negli-
gee.
BY the end Of the nve-days' house
party Marian went home, only with
difficulty concealing her grievance
toward her hostess son. Dix. Even
tually. Of course. the grievance made
Itself known to Dix and there was an
explanation. Teddy was pouting a
little and blinked back q tear. The
other wouldn't blink back 20 The" drew
fllmy handkerchief from "hIs"
breeches pocket and wiped II tenderly
away.
I'm not bit Jealous" Teddy began.
Il don't mind at all that you have gone
about with all the other girls and
haven't even looked at me. but-well.
l guess what makes me feel peeved
Is that had such a pretty dance frock
with pink ruffies and lace and every
thing made Just for the party. and
haven't had 1t on once"
This was Dix's cue and he took 1t.
and as he gathered the fearful little
Teddy In his arms-they had met In
the woods by chance when gathering
sticks for picnic fire-he explained
his entire plot to her. Yes, he loved
her distrnctetily, and had longed to be
with her every minute. But he wanted
to make her give up the idea Of being
conductor-wanted to show her that
sometimes there were advantages in
t..t.,