The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1919-08-01
THE LAST LAP
BY LOUISE HOFFMAN.
Copyright, 1918. by Mcclure Newspape
Syndicate)


Aunt Gratia II. was fair, fat ana
forty. She could hardly be called TAT
In the Objectionable meaning or Inc
word. She was plump, well proper
toned and good TO look upon. But
there was no extenuating excuse Tor
her age. For she was forty. Her fair
complexion and golden hair, with ever
so faint a trace of silver at the tenl-
pies, lent an air o; distinction TO her
general appearance.
She had just passed her fortieth
milestone and had decided to give mp
going about, ostepslbly to chaperon
her pretty niece, Wilma. 1t bored her
to 90 to dances and sit around with
nothing to do but gossip. To be sure
tine young men occasionally asked her
to dance out Of courtesy to Wilma.
And now she was forced to admit
these late nights were telling on her.
She must give them up and she would.
"Oh, here you are" broke In the
silvery voice Of Wilma, as she opened
the living room door. "I've been look
Ing all over for YOU"
whats the trouble now?" inquired
Aunt Gratia cheerfully.
ITS about tonight" explained VIII
ma. Bob was going to take me, but
his train gets in too late. He'll be on
time for the supper dance, but |
thought I'd better let you know early
enough so you can take me-"
But I've just been telling myself
I'm not going out to dances any more"
replied Aunt Gratia.
Wllma's great brown eyes grew wide
with amazement.
"Why. Aunt Gratia, you can't mean
1t. Why, I've no one to go with me,
and just can't miss this dance. It's
Bob's last night"
1t was hard to refuse Wilma. She
was a picture of distress. But she
would be Arm. Aunt Gratia laid down
her knitting.
"Why can't your mother take your"
Mother has neuralgia. Do come"
pleaded Wilma.
II haven't a gown fit to wear" pro-
tested Aunt Gratia. my wardrobe
has been neglected this fall"
Wear your adorable old blue
crepe" suggested the niece. 1.-THE blue
! just matches your eyes"
| 1--WE worn that so much, and think
| it's time l wore more subdued colors
anyway"
"Why, you're not DID," asserted VIII
ma, with some warmth. "a stranger
meeting you for the irst time would
not think you day over twenty-eight.
OF course" she temporized. seeing the
i doubt on Aunt Gratia's face. "every-
one In P knows your age. But
mean strangers"
You little fatterer," laughed Aunt
Gratia, pleased in spite Of herself
you'll say any complimentary thing
just to win your point"
Say you'll co." tormented Wilma.
Aunt Gratia reflected a few mo-
ments. "Tll CO." she said at length
dance, and"
you're DEAR" broke in Wilma.
I'm going this time" finished Aunt
Gratia, "only because your mother Is
Ill and Bob can't take YOU"
Wilma and her aunt arrived at the
dance In due time and Wilma was &C
cordlngly whlsked away by admlrint
youths. Aunt Gratia sat talking to al
older matron, tanning herself ant
wishing she were home because dances
were for young people and her dane
ing days were over, when someon,
brought MISUNDERSTANDING mid
dle-aged gentleman up to introduce.
Then the miracle began. Aunt Ora
, tia, fair. fat and forty, was whlrle'
away to indulge in dancing just as he
twenty-year-old niece had been carries
away. AS by magic her dance car,
seemed to fill up. All the young me
seemed suddenly to remember Wilm
had an aunt. TO be sure there wer
a great many dances by the middle
aged gentleman, but Aunt Graft
! seemed suddenly young and in grea
demand.
Just look at Aunt Gratia," whis
pered Wilma over Bob's shoulder
"She looks as though she were cele
brating and having the time of he
life. She told me this morning thi
} was her last dance. She retires t
her knitting, tea and cats after tc
night"
: "Jove. but she looks young. wor
der II you'll look like that at forty.
:. he teased.
$ BE careful, Bob. you're getting GU
n Of STEP" scolded Wilma.
e "Who is her stately partner?" In
0 Quired Bob.
| THAT" said Wilma so impressiyel
she almost forgot to dance, as tn