The Topeka state journal., 1921-11-16
Euening Story
A Chance for Annie.
BY ROSE MEREDITH.

d INO6E1
It began the night Annie Smith in
troduced Roger to Lucille Barton, the
new milliner, who had had a birthday
party in her rooms and invited all the
girls in the shop and their men friends.
She's pretty, isn't she?" asked An
ME as they went home at midnight.
"Pretty?" repeated Roger Gray
dreamily. 'More than pretty-she's S
beautiful-like a picture
Annie's married sister found her
crying herself to sleep that night, and
that is the way she learned that Roger
had almost, not quite asked Annie
to be his wife. And here was beauti-
ful golden haired Lucille come just in
time to stretch out her long white
arms, and bar the door to happiness
against quiet little Annie, whose arms
were not white, just plump and pink
ish. with little capable tanned hands,
whose eyes were hazel and whose hair
was soft and misty black.
II haven't a chance beside her, she
is so clever and so handsome; but she
wouldn't make a good wife for Roger;
she paints and powders and 'doesn't t
seem real" sobbed Annie.
you should worry" comforted
Louise. ''TIl fix that near vamp lady,
honey. I've got to think it up
Can you, Louise?" asked doubling
Annie.
Can II Louise smiled mysteriously.
Ou hIAOW W4dL d llOInely klQ WAS
Annie nodded.
well, didn't I walk in and marry
Gene Fraser, the superintendent of the
whole place, when every other girl was
fishing for him and each one a Venus
compared to poor me? I did. You
got bigger chance than fair Lucille,
the milliner's model! Sleep on that,
honey"
Annie slept on it and felt cheerful
the next day, but the next night her
spirits sank again when she glimpsed
Roger walking down the street with
Lucille.
MY idea has sprouted," announced
Louise that night. Were going on a
picnic Saturday afternoon over to
ShIngly Beach-everybody invited, in
Guiding Lucille and Roger. Don't cry
till it's all over-I just had to tear
Gene away from a frizzy blonde who
didn't know a teakettle from a can
opener
A hearty laugh came from behind
Mr.. Fraser's evening paper. Some
organizer, Louise, you are" he
chuckled
Saturday was a pleasant day and
the picnic started off in good shape,
everybody laden down with baskets
and boxes of lunch. The shore was
quite deserted, now that September
was nearing its end, and Louise volun-
teered to watch the lunch baskets
while the others went for a stroll along
the beach.
Two hours later the strolling couples
came back, to find a frantics Louise
and no picnic baskets. They disap-
peared," she walled. ''I just closed
my eyes from the sunshine, it is SO
bright, and when 1 opened them every
box and basket was gone!"
ASLEEP at the SWITCH" murmured
one hungry male.
We're five miles from the trolley
line and the automobiles won't return
for US until T." unused Roger Gray.
Perhaps some of us could find
house where we could get something
to eat"
"Yeh-maybe the moons made of
green cheese. and we could eat that"
saeered Jim Murray, who had escorted
Lucille.
Lucille smiled. but there was a mean
look about her lips. "I had the grand
est coffee cakes and some bananas"
she murmured-
Shall we sit here and starve?" de-
manded Roger.
Louise suddenly clapped her hands.
Saved! I've thought of a plan. The
Halls have cottage along here some
where. Wen break in and make a
fire, and If there are any eats
They all trailed after her with
hungry, expectant faces. Annie, pale
and quiet and not understanding where
her chance came in. Strange to relate,
a key on LouiSe's key ring fitted the
door.
In ten minutes they were all work
ing like beavers under Louise's direc-
ton. The men dug clans and picked
up firewood on the beach. Louise set
the table in the pretty dining room,
and plain little Annie, flew around the
kitchen in her element, for Annie was
a born cook. and in an hour they sat
down to a, wonderful clam chowder, a
pie, hot biscuits and
honey and delicious coffee, for the
larder had been strangely we'll stocked.
Annie was the queen of the occasion.
More than one man looked enVlously
at Roger Gray, and nobody thought it
was clever when Lucille daintiiy flung
up her perfumed and powdered hands
and boasted that she knew nothing
about cooking or housework and that
the delicatessen shop was good enough
for her. She nearly swooned at the
idea of peeling an onion. 1t was at
hat particular moment that Jim
Murry thought of a lifetime of meals
he had planned to eat with Lucille, and
looked vacantly out of the window.
Annfe's little brown hand, with burn
0n one thumb, and kissed it boldly.
Congratulate me, everybody he
smiled around the table.
"It came off fine" telephoned
Annie and Roger are engaged. and
hey want to spend the honeymoon in
your cottage
II wonder" unused the fair Lucille.
I wonder what became of those ele-
CANT coffee cakes bought?''
Copyright, 1921, by the McCIurs
> Newspaper Syndicate.)