The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-07-29
SWEET SEVENTEEN
BY. RITA SULLIVAN.
AoooepApepopApepeoApAp

SeSeSgSeS8SeeeSSe SSeSeeSSeSSSe
t8). 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndieate.l
peggy. the way you act you'd think
that you were six instead of sixteen"
The reproving voice of her Older
brother aroused Peggy from her ab.
sorblng task of fitting together the
parts of a picture puzzle.
"Raymond, I'm seventeen! ! guess
you forgetr' was her indignant an
swer.
"Well, I do wish that you would act
like Il, then. What would Dick think
of you II he saw you nowT
Her brother spoke with all the
dignity and "man of the world" air
which he had acquired short time
previous when he had fully realized
that he had the right to vote.
Dick was former schoomate OF
Raymond's, and from the first he had
been Peggy's champion when she was
just little schoolgirl with golden
curls and short dresses. Now that she
was older, their friendship was fast
becoming stronger.
"Oh. he wouldn't care, Ray Hardy;
he's used to 1t, and"
"Now, listen here, Peggy! What
would you say If | told you that Dick
is getting tired of your childish ways.
Why, only the other day-well,
shan't say any more. But really.
Peggy. when will you ever grow up?"
Peggy was made speechless by the
suggestion that Dick was getting tired
of her.
For the rest of that day Peggy was
very mysterlously busy in her room.
and even her mother was cautioned
not to enter; and that evening, with
smiling eyes, she again surveyed her
self in the mirror.
"Oh. you are perfect" she told her
self frankly in the mirror. I'D never
know you If I met you on the street,"
With sudden impulse that the
thought suggested she started toward
her desk and caught up the telephone.
"Oh, mother that-O-O-o." Her voice
tralled away as a plan entered hei
mlschievous head, for the calendar
showed that the day was April
With a happy little laugh. she caught
up the receiver and impatiently wait
ed for her number.
"Why didn't l think of 1t before, It's
such a corking idea! !"
"Ohl Hello, Dick. Listen. Never
mind coming all the way up to the
house after me tonight. I'll meet you
down at the station. Why? Oh. never
mind; I'll tell you tonight. Yes, yes.
I'll be on time. Bye"
During the evening meal Peggy was
so quiet her brother cast suspicious
glances In her direction.
"She's up to something-wonder
what 1t is?" and then the matter en-
tirely slipped his mind until. just as
she rose from the table, she calmly
told her mother that she was going to
meet Dick down at the station, as II
was too much for him to come all the
way up.
A few minutes later puzzled young
man, comparing his watch with the
station clock and finding that they
agreed, decided that, in spite of her
promise to be on time. Peggy was late.
"Who was that little Jane over there
who looked at me so queerly? Looked
rather familiar to me-" was his
thought. as Peggy passed by on the
other side of the walk. and he turned
TO watch the door where she was due
to arrive.
Cong:atulating herself on the sue
cess of her little joke, Peggy had re-
traced her steps and was approaching
Dick when surprising thing hap
pened. Dick had started forward with
both hands outstretched to meet
pretty girl who had come up to him
with little exclamation of surprise
and pleasure, and, startled. Peggy
watched the warm greeting which
passed between the two.
She watched from there while Dick
talked to the girl. and repeatedly
guiltily Peggy thought-watched the
door
On reaching home she entered the
sitting room, for she had decided that
she would "face the music" then and
there.
To her surprise Dick was there
ana the girl! Inen, as no one spoke
she remembered that she was still In
the same attire which had so COM
pletely fooled Dick.
"Oh. it's only PEGGY" she ex-
claimed, throwing her veil back Inn
patiently.
"Why, Peg" came her brothers
voice, "rd never know you'll You look
stunning"
"That must have been you that
passed me when I--oh, I see" AS
the full significance of the thought
struck him Dick knew what the trouble
with Peggy was, and crossed the room
to her side.
"Oh. Peggy" pretending not to mo-
tice her icy demeanor toward him.
you've never met my cousin, Vera,