The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-09-24
CROSSED WIRES
By Miss Anne Richards
Copyright, 1921. by Wheeler Syn


Copyright, 1921, by Wheeler Syn
dictate. Incl
Frances Moulton's eyes were
sparkling with anticipation anC
laughter as she stood before hel
mirror putting the finishing touch
es TO a most becoming but some
what unusual costume. To be sure
skirts were being worn short thi;
season, but even the gayest Of the
gay circle did not carry the pre-
vailing style to quite such height
for the lowest hem Of the lowest
ruffle on Frances party gown
scarcely covered the knees, which
stranger still, wore no covering be
meath the ruffle, a pair OF white
sox with tiny pink ribbon bows at
the top reaching only partially to
the fluffy rUffle.
The birth certificate of the petite
young lady bore date score of
! years previous, but the costume of
pale pink muslin in which she was
arrayed, the butterfly bow tying
| the long curls, the socks and patent
/ leather slippers with straps, were
4 fitted for a small girl ready for her
dancing lesson.
A call of "taxi's here" from be-
low FASTENED the movements. She
tucked a handkerchief into the little
pink bag she carried, put over her
shoulders a long, loose theatre
coat, carefully fastening it to the
lowest button. and went down the
stairs. Her mother and father
called a goodnight from the living
room. Opening the door, she went
quickly down the steps. gave the
address to the taxi driver, and,
stepping in, settled down comfort
ably on the cushions.
Frances belonged to a club of
girls who were always thinking up
some novelty in the way of merry
making. For this evening they had
planned that each girl should come
prepared to take the character of
some acquaintance, to dress and act
the part, and Frances had been
studying her seven-year-old neigh
Dor and had copied her dancing
school frock fcr the occasion, look
ing forward gayly to the surprise
she would give the girls.
The club was 10 be entertained
at the new home of Isabel Burr. one
Of the club mem bers, into which her
family had moved but a fortnight
before
The taxi stopped. and, alighting,
Frances went up the steps, where
d trim maid opened the door and
notioned her up broad stairway.
In the large, nicely furnished cham
Der above few wraps showed that
she was not the first arrival. She
wished that some of the other girls
would come, Ter she dreaded to go
Town alone IN a strange house. It !
seemed queer that none of the girls
we're roiilcking around This was
lot formal function, but just a
oily dance Of their group. Well.
he might as we'll make the plunge ,
wouldn't the girls shout when they
aw her!
As she passed down the stairs :
wo ladies came toward her. They J
we're strangers and looked at her '
ather oddly. Who had the Girls
invited to this affair, anywavq
In the doorway at the foot of the :
tairs she stopped short. OF the :
roup IN the room about half were /
entlenen, and all were in regula- g
ion oress. A lady of middle age I
anne up TO her. Was this Isabel's
lother, and where was Isabel? I
'ho were these people? She muir I
lurmured something in return to 7
lie greeting given her. but was too
azeo 10 collect her thoughts. Some
ne else spoke to her. Then, as s
rains Oh music came forth from
in the background. :;
ley all started dancing. What b
lculd she do? :,
The lady who had greeted her i,
anne TO her side saying nleasantly: s.