The Meeker herald., 1921-01-15
HER MISTAKE
sy IRENE {. HAYES.


ling about q man. It was ever thus
when there were newcomers-male
ones-in Sllverwaters. As for the men.
well. II depended on whom they saw
tirst. It seemed as though Alicia were
to be victor this time. since. a. she
mallciously told Caroline. Mr.. Barton
was to spend the coming weekend
with her folks.
Alicia Grant was statuesque
blonde. She gave one the impression
Of being ever cool and unrumpsed.
Caroline was Of the tawny type-red
golden hair. Carmen complexion. tenn
per and all. Betty Murray was their
go-between In quarrels. besides an ef.
fective foil for their respective charms.
From Childhood 1t had been SO. Bet
tvs home. appropriately enough. sep
arated those of her two friends. and
like THEIRS, the lawn sloped to the
river from which the town derived Its
name.
II do wish weren't so plain"
Betty wanted to compete In this par
ticular affair. She had seen Mr..
Keene Barton's picture. and for one
solid week had listened to his praise
as sung by Alicia. Heretofore the
victims hud never appealed to her as
being real. worthwhile men. but now
why. Mr.. Barton had just the right
kind Of wavy black hair. the idea,
chin and nosel
Still there were possibilities. 1t was
dear little heart-shaped. rosy flushed
face peepIng at her from the mirror.
The velvet blue eyes could look almost
satanic and the nose was saucily tilt
ed. the mouth deceitfulIy demure.
"There are no homely women In the
world. only those who do not know
how" T'i,at quotation inspired her.
J'm going to the CITY,"
Having no family to say her no.
only q grnndparent who always said
ycs-sl,c did go. II I should enumer-
nte the things she bought you might
get the impression that she was go
Ing to partake In some theatricals.
No sooner had she returned than
Alicia phonet. For q moment her
plans seemed all for naught.
News, Bets. dear. Dad has sent
word that Mr.. Barton will arrive to-
night instead Of tomorrow His things
are here now"
"May ! come over and size him up
by his trunks?" Betty's voice sounded
gay over the wire"
And another Inspiration came to her
during the examination OF the stran-
gers luggage.
"Oh. Liccy dear. lend me your new
bag: mine Is too shabby to take with
me when I 20 to cousin Sues" The
bag was brought and Alicia thanked.
sand now IN be going. ] hope Sir.
BARTON Will prove the man his trunk
indicates" With this enigmatic re-
mark she was gone.
Living alone with only a grandpar-
ent has Its compcnsations. especially
when one wants to be alone.
"GrampIe. dear. let me TX you q
nice something and tuck you up for a
Sleep" "GrampIe" fell Into the trap
neatly.
You'd think she was expecting some
intimate caller to see her preen when
once alone In her room. She donned
the hiInsiest Of negllgees-the kind
they wear only In the movies-all rib
hons and lace and rosettes. More
over, she used one Of her recent pur-
chascs-ah eyebrow pencil.
II was perhaps 10 o'clock when the
door bell rang. Betty received the I'M
expected caller. who. when he could.
apologized.
I'm nwfully sorry to intrude-
hut" It transplred then that Betty
hnd taken his bag by mistake.
what lot OF trouble I've caused
you." She was blushing most charm
Ingly. He was watching a little curl
try to kiss a dimplc near the moist red
lips. All! the attempt had been sue
cessful. Betty brushed the audncious
thing away.
"rm afraid I'm keeping you from
your beauty Sleep"
"Oh. beauty sleepl Early morning
dips In the river are so much more
beneficial. Don't you think so3" The
dImpies wInked.
Keen Barton evidently thought 30.
At any rate. he was johnny on-the.
spot" next morning.
"Yes. I enjoyed my swim" In an.
swer to AlIcia's query at breakfast
later.
"Fibber." he hadn't been In the va.
ter any longer than It took to swim
to the Murray landing place. Alicia
became unensy-he wasn't responding
to her smiles.
The. reception that evening was
very brilliant occasion. Alicia wore
an artistic black gown. Caroline
we'll. Caroline was q Cleopatra for
gorgeousness.
81 wonder why Betty came In her
grandfather's old bnrouche when the
machine-Oh, look, Liccy, who's that
with Mr.. BRrtonf'
Could this pansy-eyed Imp be Betty?
This pink-clouded butterfly with the
tantalizing dimples7 Betty herself re-
=