Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-06-27
"MY SMILING LADY,
=
BY MAUD TRAYNoR.

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, too7
Betty's brown eyes dropped demure-
ly. and her sweet. red mouth sobered
quickly as she resumed her reading.
She had not intended to 1Irt--in fact,
she Ind not known OF the extremely
good-looking soldier across the aisle.
II was only that the story was so anus
Ing that she could not help smiling.
II he was silly enough to appropriate
the smile for himself--well and good
But Sergeant Keith was thinking Of
that smile aud Its wlnsome owner long
after Betty had tripped or the car at
Baker square Who was she7 Where
did she live? Would she ride on the
same car tomorrow Why did she
smile so bewlldering!y ut fellow
only to Ignore his existence afterward7
She certainly was an adorable bit OF
feminInIty.
In the Office OF Meyer K Jones, where
Betty was chief stenographer the
girls were excItedly discussing the com
Ing masquerade party to be given the
returned soldiers.
"You must come. Bettyw exclaimed
Rose Lordcn. enthusiastically. Just
think OF all the heroes who win 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 year?
What more do you want7 And. be-
sides, those fellows won't notice your
dress when you flash that smile on
them"
"Oh Nelly, be sensible, win you? +
or course, III come, If only for the I
sake Of helping out good cause"
Il 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 s:15 car In the hope
Of seeing his "little smiling lady" as
he mentally termed Betty. Bit, as
fate would have it, she missed he 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-
smile Knocked him at every
urn.
Came the night Of the masquerade.
Betty made most bewltching shep-
lerdess IN her daintlly lowered and
much be.ribboned dress, quaint hat
md long shepherd crook. But her
,iquant face was half concealed by the
Hack silk mask which showed but a
glimpse Of dark brown eyes and red,
,outlng lips.
Sergeant Keith had arrived late and
n no mood for gayety. The memory
Il Betty's face was too near TO adj
nit OF any other infatuation.
The evening was half over when
ONE one suggested an auction of girls
o help swell the tobacco fund for the
oys across. The idea was hailed with
unanimous delight.
Each girl In the auction was to
tand on the platform and become the
artner of the highest bidder for the
loonllght waltz and unmasking.
Sergeant Keith stood In the back
round watching the bidders with toll
rant amusement.
"If my little smiling lady were
here. | would bid n years pay" he
iuscd.
Then. rs he was about to turn away,
e stopped short aud stared. Yes. II
'as she his 'llttle smiling lady" The
Ilkcn mask could not conceal that
mouth with it's faint shad-
W OF a dimple when II curved into
mile.
Elbowlng his way through the crowd
ergeant Keith Joined the group of
idders at the foot OF the platform.
"Come, now" the auctloneer was ex-
orting them. remember you are kill
,g two birds with one stone when you
I've your bld--you are helping the
oys In France and winning partner.
hat am i ofreredg'
give dollars" came voice from
he laughing and admiring group.
Ten supplemented another.
mid laughter and applause the bid
AS raised to $50. when Sergeant
eth cried; 81 make Il twenty-five
The crowd gasped and stared at the
,ger face of the soldier. who was
lzing with rapt eyes at the smiling
nd blushng girl above him.
"Sold for twenty-five TO the soldier
front"
With cheeks that crimsoned beneath
ie black OF the mask, Betty descended
Ie platform to where Sergeant Keith
aited
There were no words between them
they threaded their way toward the
aleoyc al the rear OF
e hall. II was not until they were
lsconced In the cosy window seat
at Sergeant Keith unconsciously
.oke the silence. murmuring. MY
tile smiling lady"
Betty looked up quickly. at which
blushed confusedly and said: II