Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-05-01
IA GIRL OF THE
HOUR

Ry ALDEN CHAPMAN

The brilliant snappiness in the love
" eyes OF Rhoda Burton would have
consumed, at least have abashed the
distant cause Of the varied emotions Il
expressed, had the object Of the same
been present at that moment. For
years she and Maurice Croft had been
pIaymates and then lovers. She had
come to the city to visit relatives and
here. within a week, mourning and
missing her cavalier true, dreadful
news of him had reached Rh0da. A
cousin OF Maurice coming to the city
for flying visit had called upon her.
Eyes. there has been carvings on"
submitted chatty Winifred Forbes,
who herself had once experienced a
secret fondness for Maurice. and not
loath to bring the news to a success
full rival. 1.-THE silly boy has been
taking a fling as he calls it. and Is
bent on showing off to the limit"
cas- how, nOw?" suggested Rhoda,
calmly enough.
"Well. he went over to Springfield
with Aleck Prince who. as you know,
Is wild enough to serve as a warning.
They had a two days sojourn, visited
the races played billiards and fancied
they we're going the pace. To wind up
they visited a show. The premiere
was a dancer. Lulu Langford, be-
lieve they call her. She made eyes at
Maurice, recognizing a green simple
ton, suppose. In her act she drops
a bouquet and then airily sends 1t out
into the audience with tip of her
dainty toe. 1t landed In Maurlce's lap.
don't believe he did anything more
than send this charming Lulu a
bouquet the next day, but he came
back home like knight errant vaunt-
ing the conquest Of impossible hearts
without number. Do you know he has
a dozen colored photographs Of this
Lulu hung about In his room, showing
her In her various poses? saw one
portraying her as the girl Of the hour
high heels, the latest as to garb,
blonde hair, a golden aureole, and all
that. He talks Of the llfe,' and you'd
think he was past grand master Of
the giddy whirIr'
But after Winlfred had left, the little
hands clenched, the pearly teeth set
vengefully, and Rhoda uttered three
forceful words:
'I'll cure him I"
Rhoda had not departed from simple
neatness Of attire during her visit with
her wealthy relatives. She had thought
more Of inspecting art galleries and
museums than attending shows and
social gatherings. but now she en-
gagged IN confidential confab with her
stylish cousin, Phyllis, and asked her
to cooperate with her in Furnishing
Maurice for daring to look at another
woman.
'You are just about my size and
your dresses will at me very nicely"
planned the audaciOus plotter. 81
shall ask Maurice to the city to re-
main with your brother for a few days
and act as my special escort. He shall
have a real sample of high life. in
deedl TIL warrant he will pine for
quiet, inexpensive village life and his
occasional reasonable drive in a livery
buggy and the humdrum but whole
some town concerts when have
taught him a salutary lessonF'
Maurice appeared the day after he
had received a summons from his lady
love. His little whirl in small city
had taught him that life In the me
tropolis was expensive. and he came
with well-filled pocketbook, but
never gauging the whims and caprices
Of a willfuI flancee. He was astounded
to be greeted by the modest, tasteful
village inamorata arrayed In the very
extreme Of smart attire. Rhoda had
assumed a certain grand air that OPP
pressed, rather than awed him. She
and Phyllis joked about Summing,
flirtations and cigarettes. When Maui
rice suggested a place Of amusement
Rhoda named the grand opera.
Maurice WINGED at the unexpected
expensiveness. but that was only a
preface to a supper His company
chose the most fashionable place Of
midnight resort. Ruefully Maurice
reckoned up the evenings entertain
ment. 1t exceeded half of the money
he had brought with him.
And the next day Rhoda spoke of
drive on the boulevards with an au-
dacity and airiness that almost fright
ened Maurice. Another big bill-sad-
~ comparing with the price Of a home
rig for an entire afternOonl Rhoda
had seemingly developed into a tartar
and a spendthrift after one week of
metropolitan social dissipation.
She was distrait and subdued as
they started back for Clifton. They
were az odds somehow, and Maurice.
repentant, III at ease, sought to clear
the atmosphere.