Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-19

VIRGINIA was hailed by the Palm
ertown girls on her return to school
when they glimpsed the glittering pin
on her breast. An engaged girl was
always looked upon with awe in the
school and Virginia Immediately gained
prestige. Everything would have gone
along all right if Miss Madsen had not
written the news to Virginia mother.
Mrs. West appeared at the school at
great sacrifice to her personal convent
ence to tell Virginia that such a thing
was not to be considered.
Virginia was reasoned with, com
manded, but in the midst Of tears and
sobs remained firm. She would not give
up Jimmy. At this stage of the game
Kathleen went back on her and gave
her no sympathy at all.
"Why don't you simply say you will
give him up and then do as you like, :"
she suggested.
Virginia looked at her and shook her
head. II couldn't; it wouldn't be hon
orable."
Kathleen shrugged her shoulders:
you'll never get far with those ideas
of honor. You're just acting foolishly
about it and what do you get out Of
it? Your mother will probably leave
orders here that you are not to be
allowed to see Jimmy at all.
Which was just what happened. The
two young people bore this state Of af-
fairs as long as possible. writing long
letters which Virginia posted outside of
school and which Bill sent to Kathleen
in his letters from Grant. But when
early spring came and Virginia knew
that Kathleen was meeting Bill out
lo cf fn rttla
particularly when Jimmy wrote an i'm
Fortunate letter telling her that he had
to see her. They had a few stolen
moments one afternoon, but the news
that Virginia had broken rules to meet
a man outside of school limits was
carried back to Miss Madsen, who com
municated Immediately with Mrs. West.
It'was already late in May and Mrs.
West decided that perhaps it would be
better to remove Virginia from the
school now than to wait another month.
with this penniless boy, running her
life. Yes, it would be better to keep
the girl at home under her own wing.
Mrs. Vests idea of happiness was to
find a rich and handsome husband for
her daughter. She had no intention of
allowing Virginia to do anything foolish,
and she considered that this talk of
love between couple of children who
weren't old enough to know the mean
ing Of the word was disgusting.
Kathleen, seated on Virginia's bed
and watching her pack, was sweetly
subdued. She would miss Virginia, there
was no doubt about that. But then
there was only another month of school
anyway and Kathleen had a beautiful
plan all worked out in her mind for
next year.
Virginia looked pale and drawn. She
had cried a great deal, but she was
quiet and resigned now and fully de-
termined to marry Jimmy as soon as
he was ready for her. Kathleen. look
ing at her. thought how foolish any
woman was to make fool of herself
over a man. She could not see her
self crying and bringing wrinkles into
her face for any reason. Let the men
do the suffering was kathleen's idea.
Virginia folded sheer underwear and
| lacy waists painstakingly, carefully.
She picked up the yellow crepe trock
that she had worn at Christmas time
when she had been SO happy, and smiled
as she nut It in the trunk. 1t was a
sad little smile, a smile that is not
ordinarily seen on the face of an eight
cen year old girl.
Kathleen spoke suddenly. II have
a surprise for you. Oh, cheer up, Vir-
ginia, things will come out all right.
Why don't you make the best of this
thing and give, your mother her way.
You can still be married to Jimmy in
the fall and after he is out of college
everything will be easier for you. Did
YOU know that / am going to be in
New York in the fall?'
Virginia dropped the MILDLY blouse