Gilpin observer., 1920-03-25
THEED'S FEET
BY LILLIAN cYR.

man In his first long trousers, Theed
Laurence, Jr., stood before poster
calmly surveying the announcement OF
the sophomore high school dance.
Although he had perfectly good
looking pair of feet. and took lessons
from an excellent master Theed was
In the awkward squad when 1t came to
dancing in public. 1t was very nat
ural, therefore. that he should suffer
himself to lose bit of his confident
bearing when he saw that Anita Wit
kins, the new girl In town. had ap-
preached him so quickly that they
were greeting each other directly In
front OF the poster.
She stopped and looked at the fate
ful announcement. "Oh! 1t will he
on Friday EVENING"" she exclaimed.
I'D love to go, but l don't know any
of the boys here" she added wistfully.
Immediately the boy defended the
lone girl. "I'll take you" he said.
1t was now Friday evening, and
Anita and Theed We're approaching the
school. The grounds and rooms were
ablaZe with light. Theed was fright
ened and miserable; he had an idea
that the evening would be disagree
able. Anita was chatting gaily, all
unconscious of his anxiety; but when
they had reached the hall and she
left him to take Off her wraps, he
treathed more freely.
The schools military band was play
Ing an accompaniment to gay laugh
tnr nd hn .h.th ne
the dance was on.
Theed groaned inwardly as he
thought of the last time he had come
to school dance. BY his clumsy
dancing he had sent one couple spin
ming over settee.
He was brought back from his hor-
rible "reminiscences by the reappear-
ance of Anita, who sweetly said that
he could have her first dance.
Miss Wilkins" he began, hoarsely.
81 really don't-er-er-think- real
ly don't think I'm feeling well. and II
you will please-er-excuse me"
Anita feared he was i'll, and offered
to sit out the dance with him. but as
he would not hear of It, she reluc-
by Fred Marston.
Theed fled to the cement walks on
the grounds. Why was 1t that he
could dance without break when he
was alone and yet not be able to
when he reached hall? He tried 1t
out on the walk. He danced smoothly
and easily. He became encouraged.
He would try It on the floor with the
other dancers that very night How
ever, on second thought he decided
that IL he should make break he
would not want TO humiliate Anita,
and therefore he asked another girl for
the next dance. His trial dance work
ed He could dance In public! And
with such good dancer as Anita he
was sure that his dancing would be
even better.
He was just about to ask Anita for
the next dance when someone on the
platform announced that two prizes
would be awarded to the best dancing
couple of the next dance number. The
prize for the young lady was white
silk bag with pink piping. and Il mem
bership card to the schools exclusive
Bllliken club. The prize for the young
gentleman was n membership card to
the Billlken fraternity and frater-
nifty pin. Theed hadn't counted on
this, and he was again about to fee
when he saw Anita looking longingly
at the lovely, pink-trimmed favor. He
now noticed that the pink just match
ed the ribbon on her dress She turn
ed and looked at him In the same wst-
full way as on the day he had asked
her to the dance. His ebbing courage
remounted. and he crossed over to
her. you'll have your pretty bag" he
said, with smiling assurance. He
would show people that he could
dance. The flash and pep of the mill
tary band suited his mood, obstinate
and resOlute. and that of Anita, who
was determined to win the white silk
bag with the pink piping. They dart
ell nimbly In and out among the throng
of dancers. On and on went the dance;
on and on whirled the competitors.
Almost abruptly the dance came TO
an end. There was general turning
of heads toward the band platform as
the Judges stepped into the hall to an
nounce their verdict.
"The prizes for the best dancing OF
the evening are awarded to Miss VIII
kins and Master Laurence"
After receiving the prizes they were
greeted by great applause. and the
prize winners were made to perform
n dancing skit by the admring crowd.
which was promptly encored and en-
cored.
They were walking slowly toward
her street. "You dance wonderfully
she exclaimed. 49,
Theed was watching the stars and
lingering his fraternity pin. Would