The Little River news., 1919-09-13
MISS PERVERS!TY
By JUNE JOHNSON.

 scornful tones spoke Johnnie Lewis, with all the wisdom of his seventeen summers.
 "Oh, is that sop With snap of her blue eyes, Georgina Lewis spoke with the superiority of an older sister. 'What about me?'
 Johnnie grinned "Oh, you'd keep simple One," he taunted, but good stiff promise-you'd be like all the rest"
 The girl flushed Listen, Johnnie," she commanded you're going to take that remark back before you sleep a wink tonight. Do you hear? Now give me good stiff dare that l can carry out before tomorrow. Go ahead and think of somethng!'
 Johnnie stared, then, seeing his sis ter meant it, racked his brain. Finally WhOOp gave assurance of his success.
 I've got it." he cried; but it's stiff one, sis. You're going to that dance to- night at the Whites. While you're there I dare you to contradict every thing that's said to you that demands an answer. If you carry that out I'll swallow my words and take you to matinee next Friday to square it. If you don't-you'n eat humble pie. Do you hear?''
 Did she hear? The dance that she had talked about for weeks. The dance which WAS the big event of the season. The tears came to Georgina's eyes.
 Then she sat up straight. Johnne had "dared' her. It was her own fault. It's go. Johnnie" she replied quiet ly at last.
 That evening a dscOnsoate Georg- ina. having been forsaken by her faith less brother. settled down in corner prepared for d lonely evening.
 Suddenly Alice Wells, a gushing young miss. came f1uttering up. "Oh. Georgna" she heamed, i've been look ing for you. Turner is just back from France, you know, and the pot1 boy is so bored. He can't dance and, CaAarie Johnnie told me you weren't dancing tonight. so I thought it was an ideal chance to introduce you to Turner.
 Thus it was that Turner Wells bored and lonely, saw his sister bearing down upon him leading q pretty girl.
 Pleased to meet you" murlsured the lieutenant when Alice introduced the two. He had met many young ladies since he arrived. but they had all forSaken him for the more alluring dances.
 And now the lieutenant received the beginning of a series of shocks. For GeOrgina. a door die expression on her face, was stammerng: No. you aren't pleased to meet me"
 The lieutenant was startled. to say the least He gasped and twisted un- easily in his chair Was his new ac- ouaintance a mind reader?
 To say that GeOrgina was miserable was only mildly expressing 1t. She had heard of this young officer, who had distinguished himself more than once lover there" And now that she was so fortunate as to secure an intrOduc- ton to him she had to contradict ev- erything he said.
 Alice, with her brother safely en- sconced with Georgina, hurried off to the dance, leaving the two alone.
 Have you met Professor Briggs yet?" inquired Turner by way of start ing conversation. Hes very bril- liant isn't he?"
 deep flush overspread Georgina's face-then, No, I don't think so'
 The lieutenant's eyebrows went up fraction of an inch. Then hastily changing the subject, "Awfully catchy piece they're playing just now, isn't it ?"
 Johnne'S suffering sister, looking wildly around for an escape-there was none Ill isn't catchy" plucking nerv- ously at her fan, tits awfully s-sloW and stupid.
 Turner racked his head for a safer topic. This young lady, he unused, had a rather contradictory nature.
 Well. he'd try topic of local inter- est. q see by the paper" he ventured, the Red Cross in this town is going to hold a benefit for blind soldiers. Bully idea. isn't it?"
 This time there was no hesitation on Georgina'S part. If she had to contra dict she had to. "No" was the prompt reply, "it isn't a good idea. Perfectly foolish
 And then the lieutenant concealed his aStOuishment no longer. He stared then, without warning, burst into hearty laugh and despite herself Geor, gina followed suit.
 Come 'fess up," said the lieutenant finally; you don't look like a pcSst mst-let me share in the mystery"
 Georgiaa dropped ner eyes before the soldiers ~eeady gaze as she stammered q cau'r explain just now because- please Aoa't ask me. It's too silly-you wouldn't understand"
 Bat Turner did understand before the evening was over. due to d secret interview With Johnnie.
 That night when the lieutenant bid goodnight to Georeina at her own door he said, with boyiSh grin: sN,,,'va earup1 tnot tnatinna Miss pnr-