The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-08-20
my SMILING LADY"
sy MAUD rRAyNoR.

Betty Schuyler looked up from her
book-and smiled. Now. smiles were
Betty's weapons~they we're such
frank, winsome smiles, fairly teeming
with the Joy Of living. So. how could
one blame. Sergt. Donald Keith. who
sat across the way In the west-bound
car. for smiling. tool
Betty's brown eyes dropped demure-
~, and her sweet. red mouth sobered
quickly as she resumed her reading.
She had not intended to fiirt-in fact,
she had not known Of the extremely
good-looking soldier across the aisle.
1t was only that the story was SO anus
Ing that she could dot help smiling.
II he was silly enough to appropriate
the smile for himself-well and good.
But Sergeant Keith was thinking OF
that smile and Its winsome owner long
after Betty had tripped OF the car at
Baker square. Who was shef Where
| did she liver Would she ride on the
Same car tomorrow Why did she
smile so bewilderingly at a fellow
| only to ignore his existence afterwardf
She certainly was an adorable bit OF
femininity.
/. In the Office of Meyer & Jones, where
Betty was chief stenographer. the
girls were excitedly discussing the COM
Ing masquerade party to be given the
returned soldiers.
sYou must come. Bettyi" exclaimed
Rose Lorden, enthusiastically. "Just
think Of all the heroes who Will De
there"
But haven't anything to wear"
"Betty, forget It." broke In viva
cious Nelly Ryan. "what about that
quaint shepherdess costume you wore
at the club masquerade last year7
What more do you wantf And. be-
sides, those fellows won't notice your
dress when you fash that smile on
them"
"Ohi Nelly, be sensible, will your
OF course. I'll come. II only for the
sake Of helping out good cause"
~ don't care why you come, just as
long as you do come"
And thus the matter was settled.
The following morning Sergeant
Keith was on the 8 :15 car In the hope
Of seeing his little smiling lady" as
he mentally termed Betty. But. as
fate would have Il, she missed the car
that morning. and the sergeant re-
turned to camp, greatly disappointed.
But try as he would to efface the
memory, Betty's artless face and en-
chanting smile Knocked him at every
turn.
betty --tha night Of the masquerade.
herdess in her Misunderstanding shep-
much be-ribboned dress, quaifit and
and long shepherd ero.I- ma her
piquant face was half concealed by the
black silk mask which showed but q
glimpse Of dark brown eyes and red,
pouting lips.
! Sergeant Keith had arrived late and
in no mood for gayety. The memory
Of Betty's face was too near to adj
init Of any other infatuation.
The evening was half over when
some one suggested an auction Of girls
to help swell the tobacco fund for the
boys across. The idea was hailed with
unanimous delight.
Each girl In the auction was to
stand on the platform and become the
partner Of the highest bidder for the
moonlight waltz and unmasking.
Sergeant Keith stood In the back
ground watching the bidders with toll
Grant amusement.
eff my little smiling lady were
there. / would bid a years pay" he
unused.
Then. as he was about to turn away,
he stopped short and stared. Yes, II
was she. his ''little smiling lady" The
silken mask could not conceal that
tantalizlng mouth with its faint shad-
ow Of dimple when It curved into a
smile.
Elbowing his way through the crowd
Sergeant Keith Joined the group of
bidders at the foot Of the platform.
"Come. now" the auctioneer was ex-
horting them. remember you are kill
ing two birds with one stone when you
give your bid-you are helping the
boys In France and winning partner.
What am offeredr
"Five dollars" came q voice from
the laughing and admiring group.
'Ten," supplemented another.
Amid laughter and applause the bid
was raised to $40. when Sergeant
Keith cried: II make II twenty-five"
The crowd gasped and stared at the
eager face Of the soldier. who was
gazing with rapt eyes at the smiling
and blushing girl above him.
"Sold for twenty-five to the soldier
In 'front.'"
With cheeks that crimsoned beneath
the black Of the mask. Betty descended
the platform to where Sergeant Keith
waited.
There were no words between them
~ they threaded their way toward the
palm-concealed alcove at the rear of
the hall. It was not until they were
ensconced in the cosy window seat
that Sergeant Keith unconsclously
broke the silence, murmuring. NY