The Meeker herald., 1919-04-19

"YOu are cordially Invited to attend
| a dance to be given by the employees
of this hotel ON Wednesday evening.
Dancing In the garage from $3.50 to
10 o'clock. Please come with escort"
Anue frowned when she read the
little card. When school had shut
down very unexpectedly for an en-
forced vacation, she had felt that she
| must earn some extra money. The re-
suit was that she had accepted 90
called "war time" position In one Of
the suburban hotels, but that such
position has Its dinlculties. and II
mighty different from teaching school.
Anne was just beginning to find out.
II really can't Co." she told herself.
81 hardly know any Of the people who
will be there. And besides ! haven't
any young man to ask for my escort"
"Oh, there's Mr.. Stevens" as the
manager Of the hotel came Into the
lobby. "I'll ask him to advise me what
| to do" and she hurried over to meet
him.
He greeted her with pleasant
smile for he had taken great interest
school had closed and frankly told him
of her desire to earn more money In
order to fit herself for digger things"
He listened carefully to the story Of
her difficulty.
"why. I'd just look in for half an
hour, II were YOU" he said. when
she had finished: you needn't dance
II you don't want to, and your lack Of
an escort will give you sufficient ex-
cuse, but think you'd better go II only
for few minutes. 30 that the others
won't think you are trying to be diff
ferent."
Anne thanked him, and hurried OF.
wondering why she hadn't thought Of
that herself. and resolved that she
would look her prettiest, even II she
didn't particularly care about going.
After dinner, she went to her little
room under the caves, to don her
party gown.
Goodness! How gay We shall be !"
she exclaimed to herself. as she shook
out her dress. II wonder II haven't
been to party since the farewell eve
ming that the teachers gave to the old
superintendent. Wonder what the new
man II be like" and her mind wan
dered of to the subject that lay near
est her heart-sch0ol.
"They say he's young and quite fas.
chatting" she thought, ''and I suppose
that means that all the teachers In the
district will set their caps for him.
But here's one that won't" And she
jabbed hairpin In with extra force.
for Anne had "ideas" on the subject
of "Nen."
The last lock of hair securely fas-
tened. and the last frill on the dress
alternately coaxed and patted Into
place, Anne sailed forth alone to the
gurage which had been transformed
into dance hall for the evenings
festivities. quite surprised to find her
self rather excited at the prospects Of
going to a dance, even though the
guests were to be maids and chauf-
feurs.
II believe I'm going to enjoy 1t after
ALL" she told herself, with, no little
Amusement. II shouldn't be at all sur.
prised II I find myself accepting an
Invitation to dance with some tall
youth who drives q gentleman's car.
and who probably"
Good gracious" and Anne gave
little scream as big machine shot by
her, and came to q sudden stop few
feet beyond.
my, but that was narrow escape !"
and the girl leaned weakly against the
door Of the garage. totally unnerved
by the shock.
II do hope I haven't hurt you." call
out out masculine voice from tho
darkness beyond voice In which an
noyance and concern struggled for the
mastery. II do hope you are not hurt"
and lnstinctively his cap came of. as,
coming into the light streaming out
through the door Of the dance hall.
he saw the slender. dainty. girltsh fig-
ure leaning up against the side Of the
building.
'They told me down the road that
there was a dance In the garage up
here, 30 was just running past look
ing for a place to put up my car for
while. I'm most awfully sorry II
I've frightened you"
Anne's presence of mind by this time
had returned, and she took In her
companion with one all-appraislng
glance.
Mighty good looking for chauf-
feur," was her inward comment, and
aloud she said: II am all right now.
thank you. really was more scared
than hurt. All the chauf-I mean
the guests at the dance are putting
up the machines in the empty lot be-
hind the garage. I'll show you the
way" she added graclously. "for I sup
pose you don't want to miss any
dances. There goes the music now"
"Why, I don't" began the young
man. and stopped, for Anne had walk
ed ahead and was pointing out the