The north Mississippi herald., 1920-09-24
Left-Overs
By LILY WANDELL

@~~~~~~~~~~~>~~<~~s~
tS. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
The usual series of parties for an
engaged couple began, Cam generally
In the background watching Deborah
out of the corner of his eye. How she
baSked in the continual sunshine Of
admiration 1t thrilled him to think
that he had won her. She was new in
town and immensely popular, and he
, had always been too engrossed In fol-
lowing his vocation of a professor to
bother about social affairs. But
Deborah, with her brilliance of a
woman in full bloom, had shaken him
out Of his retirement
A very young girl, too short for
Cams taste, had seated herself on the
other end of the sofa. Cam glanced
at her and decided he did not like her.
She was too small, her hair too
straight and black, her skin too dark
and her eyes, slanting like an Orien-
| tails, black and large, and her lips
being small and painted very red. She
smiled family, almost timidly.
I'm your neighbor," she venturec.
He did not like her voice either. 1t
was low-pitched and throaty. De-
borah's was clear and distinct.
"Neighbors?" then smiling at the
settee. "Oh, see"
'That was not what l meant. l am
visiting Mrs. Ingram, who lives next
| door to you. I've seen you loads or
times"
1t sounded slightly reproachful, and
Cameron Daw, being of a sensitive
nature, felt then and there called to
make up for his seeming incivility.
Later, before the party was over,
when she expressed desire to go
home, Cam accompanied her the short
way, simply as courtesy to Mrs. In
gram, to whom he felt indebted for
many little neighborly kindnesses.
Somehow or other he got talking about
stars to the girl, and when he returned
to the scene of festivity the guests had
left, including Deborah. He was
amazed; he had had no idea that he
had stood more than an hour explain
ing the solar system to Slant-eyed
girl. At any rate he went home con-
graduating himself that he was en-
| gagged to Deborah and not to Mrs. In
grams young visitor, poor little thing.
He felt sorry for her, she seemed so
forsaken, a little different from other
girls. Even her name, Vashti, had a
heathenish sound, quite in tune with
those dark almond-shaped eyes and
painted lips.
The next day he fingered near the
party fence. This had nothing to do
x;11 .hisnreighbQr,s grest: be was In
troublesome vine that needed no end
Of tying and adjusting. Anc after he
| had fused with 1t for quite while,
Vashti did appear and came over to
see what he was doing. She might
have been a hardy little brown plant
herself, as she stood there In wood
colored skirt and sweater, adorned by
single splash of red ripe berry,
her painted lips.
He explained the vine to her, all
about it's botanical family, and similar
wild vines that grew in nearby wood
lands. He suggested that after his
classes they might look for some.
1t was not on this walk, but during
their second or third jaGnt, that he
learned about Bobsie. Vashh in con-
flding whispers told him all about the
quarrel that had occurred the day be-
fore his sisters party. Bobsie. 1t
proved. was a senior. and from Wash
It's description, very hard-hearted and
unforgiving. He was not taking any
steps to make up; he seemed to take
a malicious enjoyment seeing her lone
ly and forsaken. vashti wanted to
know what to do about it.
Lets stir him up to action" sug-
gested Cam boyishly, make him see
the green-eyed monster-frighten him
and then" he stopped moment and
added slowly: "rm sure Deborah
won't mind" It did not sound very
positive.
"Who on earth is Deborah? CIV
ing the name funny little twist.
"Why, surely you know. Miss
Heath? I'm engaged to be married."
vashti interrupted with a delicious
laugh. "Ill not be fooled! don't be-
lieve for a moment that you would
marry left-overw
"Vashti I" cried Cam in a shocked
voice, "really you don't realize what
you're saying! Leftover! Deborah's
not more than thirty-two or three.
quite bit younger than II"
But quite a bit too old for youl"
mimicked the girl, laughing, and then,
with appealing sweetness, I'm sorry
thought" And Cam did not know
whether she meant that she was sorry
for him or for her rude remark about
left-overs.
He explained TO his fiancee over the
telephone about his obligations to Mrs.
Ingram and the very nice opportunity
he had of reciprocating by helping her
to entertain her guest. He hoped De-
horah would understand She said she