The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-04-15
A GIRL OF THE
HOUR
By ALDEN CHAPMAN

expressed. had the object Of the same
been present at that moment. For
years she and Maurice Croft had been
playmates and then lovers. She had
come TO the city TO visit relatives and
here. within week, mourning and
missing her cavalier true. dreadful
news of him had reached Rhoda. A
cousin of Maurice coming TO the city
for a flying visit had called upon her.
Yes. there has been carvings on,
submitted chatty Winifred Forbes,
who herself had once experienced
secret fondness for Maurice. and not
ioath to bring the news TO a success
full rival. "The silly boy has been
taking fling as he calls 1t. and is
bent on showing of to the limit"
"As how. now?" suggested Rhoda.
calmly enough.
..Weli. 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 were going the pace. To wind up
they visited show. The premiere
was dancer. Lulu Langford. ] be-
lltNt fhit sNtF Andht FfEr a.
Maurice. recognizing green simple
ton. suppose. In her act she drops
a bouquet and then airily sends IL out
into the audience with tip of her
dainty toe. II landed In Maurice's lap.
I don't believe he did anything more
than send this charming Lulu a
bouquet the next day. but he came
back home like a knight errant yaunt-
ing the conquest OF impressibIe hearts
without number. 10 yon know he has
q dozen eolored photographs of this
Lulu hung about in his room. showing
her In her ynrious 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 lIfe.' and you'd
think ne Was = past grand master Of
the giddy whiri r.
But after winifred had LEFT. the little
hands clenched. the pearly teeth set
vensefuIly. and Rhoda uttered three
forceful words:
-I1l cure him.
Rhoda had not departed from simple
neafncss 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. hut now she en-
gagged In a confidential confab with her
stylish cousin. Phyllis. and asked her
TO cooperate with her I'm Furnishing
Maurice for daring to look Mt another
woman
.'You are lust ahout my size and
your dresses will At me very nicely,
plnnned the audacious pioiter. u
shall ask Maurice 20 the city TO re
main with your brother for few days
and act as my special escort. He shall
have real sample Of high life, In
dee,li I'll warrant he viii 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
,aurh, him a salu,ary lesson."
Maurice appeared the day after he
had received n summons from his lady
love. His little whirl In n small city
had tnught him that life in the me-
trcpolis was expensive. and he came
with well-filled pocketbook, but
never s-nuging the whims and caprices
OF n willful hancce. lie was astounded
to be greeted by the modest, tasteful
village Inamoruta arrayed In the very
extreme Of smart attire. Rhoda had
assumed. n certain grand air that op-
pressed. rather than awed him. She
and Phyllis joked about Summing,
Hsrtations and cigarettes. when Mau-
rice suggested a place of amusement
th,. ftI
Maurice WINGED nj the unexpected
expensivencss, but that was only II
preface 20 n supper. His company
chose the most fashionable place of
midnight resort. Ruefully Maurice
rcckoned up the evenings entertain
ment. II exceeded half Of the money
he had brought with him.
And the next day Rhodn spoke Of
drive on the boulcvRrds with an au-
dacity and airlness that almost fright
ened Maurice. Another biz bill--sad-
iy comparing with the price Of home
rig for an entire afternoon! Rhoda
had seemingly developed into tartar
and spendthrift after one week of
metropolitan social dissipation.
She was dlstrait and subdued as
they started back for Clifton. They
were nj odds somehow. and Maurice.
repentant. IN at ease. sought TO clear
the atmosphere.
II was over nj Springfield with
Aleck Prince for couple OF days"
hegnn Maurice lamely.
"yes. heard You were" answered
Rhodn.
"Fiash and filter. you know" pro
,.a..t..h Maurire