Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1919-10-23
MISS PERVERSITY
BY JUNE JOHNSON.

|
scornful tones spoke Johnnie Lewis,
with all the wisdom Of his seventeen
summers
''Oh. Is that soY With a snap of
her blue eyes, Georgina Lewis spoke
with the superiority Of an older sister.
what about mef''
Johnnie grinned.. 'Oh. you'd keep .
simple one" he tainted. but q good
stiff promlse--you'd be like oil the
rest"
| The girl flushed Listen. Johnnie"
she commanded. you're going to take
that remark back before you sleep .
wink tonight. DO you heari Now give
me good stiff dare that cnn carry
out before tomorrow. Go ahead and
think Of something's"
Johnnie stared. then, seeing his sis
ter meant It, racked his brain. Finally
4 whoop gave assurance Of his success
I've got It." he cried: hut its stir
one. sis. You're going to that dance to
night at the White'A While you're
there I dare you to contradict every
thing that's said to you that demands
On answer. II you carry that out III
swallow my words and take you to q
matinee next Friday to square II. II
You don't--you'n eat humble pie Do
you hearr'
Did she heari The dance that abe
had talked about for weeks! The
dance which was tha- big event Of tho
season! The tears came to Georgina's
eyes.
Then abe sat up straight. Johnnie
had dared" her. It was her own fault
TITS a 60. Johnnie" she replied quiet
~ at last.
| That evening q disconsolate Ge0rg-
Ina. having been forsaken by her faith
lesn brother. settled down in . corner
prepared for lonely evening.
Suddenly Alice Wells, q gushing.
young miss. came .iuttering TIP. "Oh.
Georgina," she beamed. "rve been look
ing for you. Turner 10 just back from
France, you know. and the pt,or boy II
20 bored. He can't dance arid. dearis.
Johnnie told me you weren't dancing
tonight 30 thought II va 10 m idsal
chance to introduce you to Turner"
Thus Il was that TuI ner Wells,
bored and lonely. saw his ID ster bearing
down upon him leading = pretty girl.
PLEASED to meet you.'' murmured
the lieutenant when Alice introduced
the two. He had met many young
ladies since he arrived. bu they had all
forsaken him for the inore alluring
dances.
And now the lieutenaI It received the
beginning Of . series o shocks. For
Georgina, n door-die ex preston on her
face. was stammering: mo. yen aren't
pleased to meet me-"
The lieutenant was startled, to ray
the least. He gasped and twisted un-
easily In his chair. Was HIS new &C.
Quaintance q mind rs,aderf
To say that Georg',na was miserable
was only mildly expr easing II. She had
heard Of this youn oficsr, who had
distinguished himM III more than once
"over there" And. now that she was
no fortunate a. to secure an introduc-
ton to him she rad to contradict sv.
erything he said.
Alice, with her brotter safely en-
sconced with &c origins. hurried or to
the dance. leaving the two alone.
"Have you met Professor Briggs
yetr inquired Turner by way Of start
Ing conversation. "Hes very bril-
liant. isn't hei"
4 deep nu,sh ovsfspread 0eorgina'ss
face--then, "No, don't think %"
The lieute nant's eyebrows went up q.
fraction OF IN inch. Then hastily
changing the subject. lawfully catchy
piece they're playing just now. isn't
itr'
Johnnie's suffering sister, looking
wildly ar0 und for m escape-there was
sone. IT, isn't catchy" plucking nerv-
ously at her Tan, ITS awfully sslow
and stupid.
Turner racked his head for . safse
topic. This young lady, he unused, had
. rather contradictory nature.
Well, he'd try topic Of local inter.
est. II see BY the paper" he vsnture1,
'the Red Cvoss IN this town 10 going to
hold . benefit for blind soldises. Baily
idea, isn't itf'
This time there was no hestatioa On
Georsanas part. II she bad to cootra-
dict she had to. mo" was the prompt
replx ''tt isn't . good idea. Perfectly
foOlinh"
Anti then the lieutenant concealed
his sst0nishment no longer. He stared,
then. without warning. burst into .
hearty laugh, and despite herself Oeor-
gins followed suit.
"Come. Tess up" said the lieutenant
6nally; you don't hook THE . pessi-
mist-let me share In the mystery"
0eOrgina dropped her eyes before tho
soldiers steady gaze ~ she stammered.
II can't explain just now, because
please don't ask me. It's too silly-yoa
wouldn't understand"
But Turner did understand before
the evening was over, due to . secret
interview with Johnnie.
That night, when the lieutenant bid
goodnight 10 Georgina ut her own
door, he said with q boyish grin:
"You've earned that matinee. Miss Per-