The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1919-12-05
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. |
TACTICS
BY HELEN c. lvERs.

about it."
Hazel and Eva lived In the small
town of W.. They were we'll known,
each In different way. Hazel was
very pretty and rather belle in the
social world. while Eva. though as
pretty as her sister, was not as popular
with the same people. All of her teach
ers and more studious friends admired
her very much. but that was not her
greatest desire.
Aren't you going to tell me, Eva?"
Hazel asked. seeing that her sister was
still silent.
There's nothing much to tell" Eva
finally answered. I'm discouraged,
that's all. What l want to know u.s.
how do you get all the boys that you
like to notice you? never can.
There's Jack B.. for instance.
like him. but I'm not especially fond
Of him, and show that don't care
whether he comes near me or not, but
still ! can't go anywhere that he does
not follow me. Others, that / would
like to have show an interest in me
hardly notice me. and am just as nice
as pie to them. ! should like to know
the reason.
Hazel was amused. "You are funny,
Sis. You don't know human nature at
all. Ill tell you the reason why"
The next night was the senior dance
at the college, and Hazel and Eva were
planning to go. All day they whispered
together. When night came both girls
dressed and then waited for their es-
corts.
They did not wait long. Very soon
the bell rang and Jack B. was heard
approaching.
"Oh, DEAR" Eva sighed. Il wish
that he would disappolnt me just once
In his life. 1t gets rather boring to be
so sure of just what a person will say
or do"
Just here Jack came in, rather more
sadly than was his wont.
I'm so sorry, Eva" he said, 'but
I'll have to disappoint you tonight. !
have had telegram calling me to N.
where my father was in a railroad ac-
cident.
"Oh, Jack" Eva was all sympathy.
II hope that it isn't serious"
Jack shook his head. 1.-THE tele-
gram doesn't give me much encourage
nent. However. must go right away.
Probably Hazel will let You go with
her."
"Oh, yes" Hazel fastened to say.
"Don't worry. Jack. I'll see that she
gets there all right"
Jack went toward the door, but be-
fore he reached there he turned back.
'Win you please come to the door
with me, ENaT he asked. 81 have
something 10 say to you
Wonderingly she followed him. and
was hardly outside when he seized her
hands rather roughly.
''Oh. Eva, dear.r he murmured huskl-
~, show love you. Won't you marry
me, pleaseT'
She pulled her hands away quickly.
mo, jack" she said firmly. II can
not. do not love- YOU"
She turned and re-entered the room,
leaving dumbf6Nnded Jack behind
her.
IAN hour later She was at the dance.
feeling miserable. The tactics advised
by her sister had been used. She was
very cool with aN of the boys she had
been aspiring to. have like her, and
one and all had decided that that rath-
er dull little sii ster of Hazel" was a
charming little thing when one got to
know her.
Eva was certa inly outdoing herself
tonight. Nobotly would ever have
guessed that she felt sad, for despite
her me- .riment, she did feel lonesome.
Her " ish that jack would disappoint
her 0ace had been fulfilled sooner than
she had expected 1t would and al
thor .gh she knew that his excuse had
bee good. she felt unaccountably
slia ,hted. She was undoubtedly re-
lies sed when it was slime to so home.
About Is minutes after she reached
/ alme, the telephone rang.
\ Its for you. Eva" Hazel called.
who had run to answer 1t. you're
getting popular. Sis. certainly was
proud OF you, tonight"
Wondering who 1t was. she went to
the phone and to- her delight Jacks
welcome voice came over the wire.
II thought you'd like to know" he
said. "that 1t was all mistake about
father. He was on the train. but un-
hurt"
"Oh, I'm so glad" Eva cried. "You
must be, too"
"Well." and his voice was certain
~ joyous. you can just believe | am
But" and his voice betrayed emotion
now, II am sorry that annoyed you
this evening. might have known
that you couldn't care for me-"
Eva was trembling, but she man.