The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-03-21
"MY SMILING LADY,
BY MAUD TRAYNoR.


sat across the way in the west-bound
car, for smiling, toof
Betty's brown eyes dropped demure-
", and her sweet, red mouth sobered
quickly as she resumed her reading.
She had not intended to filrt-in fact,
she had not known of the extremely
Eood-looklng soldier across the aisle.
It 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 or
hat smile and its winsome owner long
litter Betty had tripped Off the car at
Baker square. Who wss she2 Where
lid she live? Would she ride on the
,ame car tomorrow? Why did she
,mlle so bewilderingly at a fellow
Dnly to ignore his existence afterward8
she certainly was an adorable bit OF
Ieminlnity.
In the Office of Meyer & Jones, where
Betty was chief stenographer, the
girls were excltedIy discussing the com
ng masquerade party to be given the
returned soldiers.
"You must come, Bettyl" exclaimed
Rose Lorden, enthusiastically. lust
!hlnk of all the heroes who Will ne
here"
"But haven't anything to wear
"Betty, forget It." broke in viva
,ious Nelly Ryan. "What about that
Iuaint shepherdess costume you wore
at the club masquerade last Year,
What more do you wantf And, be-
sides, those fellows won't notice your
iress when you fash that smile ON
them"
"Ohi Nelly, be sensible, win your
| OF course, I'll come, IL only for tho
sake of helping out good cause"
II 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 it. 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.
Came the night Of the masquerade.
Betty made a most bewitching shep-
herdess In her daintily Powered and
much be-ribboned dress, quaint hat
and long shepherd crook. But 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
NIT of any other lnfatuation.
The evening was half over when
some one suggested an auction Of giris
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 toE
Grant amusement.
eff my little smiling lady were
there, would bid 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
tantallzing mouth with Its faint shad-
ow Of a dlmple when 1t 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
l boys in France and winning a partner
What am / offeredT
"Five dollars" came a voice from
the laughing and sdmiring 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 wal
gazing with rapt eyes at the smiling
and blushing girl above him.
.soId for twenty-five to the soldie'
; In 'front.'"
with cheeks that crimsoned beneath
; the black of the mask. Betty descended
the platform to where Sergeant Keitl
| waited.
There were no words between then
as they threaded their way toward tn
palm-concealed aIcove at the rear q
the hall. II was not until they wer'
ensconeed In the cosy window sea
that Sergeant Keith unconsciousi,
broke the silence. murmuring. m.
little smiling lady"
Betty looked up quickly. at whicl
he blushed confusedly and said; :
beg pardon--I was thinking aloud-bu