Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-22
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
my SMILING LADY"
By Maud Trdynor

ID her book--and smiled. Now, smiles
were Betty's weapons--thcy were such
! frank. winsomc smiles. fairly teaming
with the JOY Of living. SO. how could
ono blame Sergeant Donald Keith. who
sat across the way in the wcst-bound
J car, for smiling, too?
Betty's brown eyes dropped demurely,
and her sweet. red mouth sobercd quickly
as she resumed her reading. She had
not intended to flirt--in fact, she had
not known Of the extremely gCod-looking
soldier across the aisle. Il was only thai
the story was so amusing 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 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
80 bewiderinGly al a fellow, only TO
ignore his existence afterward: She
certainly was an adorable bit of FEM
innity.
In the office of Meyer g. Jones. where
Betty was chief stcnographer, the girls
were exctedly discussing the coming
masquerade party TO be given the re-
turning soldiers.
You must come. Betty" exclaimed
Rose Lorden. enthusiastically. Just
think of all the heroes who will be there
But I haven't anything to wear"
Betty. forget it," broke in the viva
cious Nelly Ryan. What about that
quaint shepher1css costume you wore at
the club masque last year? What more
do you want? And. besides. those fell
lows won't notice your dress when you
flash that smile on them"
oh! Nelly. be sensible, will youc OF
course. I'll come If only for the sake OF
helping cut a good cause"
Il don't care why you come as long as
YOU do come"
And thus the matter was settled
The following morning Sergeant Keith
was on the S15 car in the hope Of see
ing his little smiling LADY," as he,men-
tally termed Betty. Bct. as fate would
have il. she missed thsAcar that morning.
and tho sergeant returned to camp
greatly disappointed. But try as he
would to efface the memory. Betty's art
less face and enchanting smile mocked
him at every turn.
Came the night of the masquerade de
Betty made most bewitching shep-
herdess in her da!ntly lowered and
much beribboned dress quaint hat and
long shepherd crock. But r piquant
face was half-concealed by the black
SILK mask which showed but n glimpse
or dark brown eyes and red, pou,ing
lips
sergeant Keith had arrived late and
in no mood for gayety. The memory
Of Bctty's face was too near TO adm,
OF any other infatuation
The evening was half over when some
one suggested an auction Of girls to heir
swell the Tobacco Fund for the bows
across. The idea was hailed WITH uu.
anlmouS delight.
Each girl in the auction was TO stand
on the platform and become the part.
ner of the highest bidder for the moon.
light waltz and unnasklng
Sergeant Keith stood in the back
ground watching the bidders with toler
ant amusement.
IF my little smiling lady were ther,
would bid years pay he unused.
Then. as he was about TO turn away
ne stopped short and stared. Yes. i
was she. his little smiling lady" Tn,
silken mask could not conceal that tan
talizing, mouth with It's faint shadow o
a d!mple when it curved in smile.
Elbow!ng his way through the Grove
Sergeant Keith joined the group of bid
ders at the foot of the platform.
Come now." the auctioneer was ex
horting them, remember YOU are XIII
ing two birds with one stone when vo,
give your bid--you are helping the boy!
In FRANCE and winning partner. Wha
am | offered"
Five dollars" came a voice from tn,
laughing N
"Ten.' supplemented another Ami,
laugher and applause the bid was raised
to $40. when Sergeant Keith cried. /"
make il twenty-five
The crowd gasped and stared at tn
eager face Of the soldier. who wa
gazing with rapt eyes nj the smilin,
and hlushing girl above him.
Sold for twenty-five 10 the soldier il
front
With cheeks that crimsoned beneatl
the black of the mask. Betty descende,
the platform TO where Sergeant Keltl
waited,
There were no words between them n
they threaded their way toward to
palm-concealed alCOye al the rear q
the hall. It vas not until they wcr
ensConCed in the coy window seat tina
Sergeant Keith unconsciously broke til
silence, murmuring, My little smilin
lady
betty looked up quickly. at which h
blushed Confusedly and said: II bel
pardon was thinking aloud-but don
YOU remember me?"
Then followed explanations and nueric
on both sides, until It seemed as thoug
they had known each other for som
time.
After the dance was over, Donald bad
his smiling lady a reluctant good
night, with permission to call again tn
following evening.
Next complete novelette--Mr. Pe-ver'
Successful Romance.