The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-06-20
my SMILING LADY"
-@
BY MAUD TRAYNoR.

frank, winsome smiles, fairly teeming
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, too?
Betty's brown eyes dropped demure-
ly, and her sweet, red mouth sobered
quickly as she resumed her reading.
She had not intended to firth fact,
she had not known Of the extremely
good-looking soldier across the aisle.
It was only that the story was SO anus
ing that she could not help smiling.
If he was silly enough to appropriate
the smile for himseff-well and good.
But Sergeant Keith was thinking of
that smile and its winsOme owner long
after Betty had tripped off the car at
Baker square, Who was she? Where
did she live? Would she ride on the
| same car tomorrow? Why did she
smile so bewilderingly at a fellow
only to ignore his existence afterward?
She certainly was an adorable bit OF
femininity.'
In the office Of Meyer & 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, Bettyl" exclaimed
Rose Lorden, enthusiastically. "Just
think of all the heroes who will De
there"
"But I 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 year2
What more do you want7 And, be-
sides, those fellows won't notice your
dress when you flash that smile on
them"
"Ohi Nelly, be sensible, will you?
OF course, I'll come. If only for the
sake Of helping out good cause"
"T 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 10 car In the hope
Of seeing his ''ittle smiling lady," as
he mentally termed Betty. But, as
fate would have 1t, 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 q 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 ad-
NIT of any other infatuation.
The evening was half over when
some one suggested an auction Of girls
| to help swell the tobacco fund for the
boys across. The idea was hailed with
unanimous delight.
Each girl In the auction was to
1
partner OF the highest bidder for the
moonlight waltz and unmasking.
Sergeant Keith stood in the back
ground watching the bidders with toll
Grant amusement.
eff my little smiling lady were
there, I would bid years pay" he
| unused.
Then, as he was about to turn away,
he stopped short and stared. Yes, 1t
was she, his 'little smiling lady," The
silken mask could not conceal that
| tantalizing mouth with it's faint shad-
ow of dimple when it curved into
| 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
boys in France and winning q partner.
What am Offered?'
give dollars" came a voice from
the laughing and admiring group.
''Ten," supplemented another.
Amid laughter and applause the bid
was raised to 500, when Sergeant
Keith cried: IT make it twenty-five"
The crowd gasped and stared at the
eager face of the soldier, who was
gazing with rapt eyes at the smiling
and blushing girl above him.
"Sold for twenty-five to the soldier
In frOntw
With cheeks that crimsoned beneath
the black of the mask, Betty descended
the platform to where Sergeant Keith
waited.
There were no words between them
as they threaded their way toward the
| palm-concealed alcove at the rear OF
the hall. It was not until they were
ensconced in the cosy window seat
| <hof 0orroonf Koifh r1noorcoSonC1v