Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-01-06
PAINT
BY VIRGINIA BAKER.

O0. 1870. By Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
They were just at that stage in the
affair when other people were say
ing: "When do you suppose they'll
announce itT and they were saying to
each other all sorts Of sweet unrepeat-
able things,
But, between you and me, what ne
said was really quite conservative, for
he was Scotch. Added to this native
clrcumspectness was an undemonstra-
tveness fostered by a mother who
came from old New England stock. So,
because he inherited conscience and
old-fashioned ideas, one Of the things
he had to whisper to his girl was:
"Philbie, dear, l wish you wouldn't
put so much of that red stuff IN your
lips and cheeks. You really don't need
1t, you know"
This was Just a mild protest. But,
as Philbie had no Scotch or Puritan
blood in her veins, rather quite spir-
tied mixture of Irish and French, she
replied with a mischievous toss of her
bobbed brown curls: "How do you
know? Do you know If you've ever
seen me without it?"
"Well, really now, as you put 1t that
way, I couldn't exactly say" Angus
sided down, rather embarrassed, be-
cause he had only seen Philbie II and
a half times. The half was when ne
had first met her-in the paint and
varnish department Of the Armstrong
Hardware company, where Angus was
clerk. Philbie had given him quite q
large order for white and green ano
black and red paint She and her
mother were fixing up the little house
they had bought with part of dear
papa's insurance money. They had
never had a real home before because
they had Travelled around with papa
who had been an animal trainer with
Buys Sinko circus.
It was this environment which was
responsible for Philberta's pernicious
practice Of rouging.
Incu, us IUNtIS AWAY wv a. iS""'
once, they quarreled. He even went
50 far as to say that he didn't want
to kiss her any more if she smearec
that stuff on, because his lips never
touched hers-they just tasted that
paint
At first Philbie was furious. u
guess you'll never get the chance
again. after that" she flung at him.
Angus took his cue and his hat
But the animal training instinct which
she had inherited from her father
made philbe stop him when his hanc
was on the knob of. the screen door
"Angus," she said, II won't put Il
on any more" And she meant 1t. be
cause she saw the truth in his brutal
speech. She wanted him to kiss he1
now. quick!
He turned and saw her there rub
hing furiOusIy at her lips with bill
of handkerchief. But because he
was Scotch he did not gather her II
his arms and cover the red on the
handkerchief as well as her lips with
penitent kisses, as movie lover would
have done. Oh, no. Becase he was
Scotch. he said: "You will promise
me, Philberta. never to use or have
in your possession again this disgust
ing red ointment"
Philbie meekly promised, Eyes," be-
cause Just then he kissed her.
Philbie was very busy finishing-the
dressing up of the little house, be-
cause on the afternoon Of a certain
red letter day, ten of her best girl
friends were coming to a tea party.
And then one day, week before
the date set for the party. Angus
called in the morning when Philbie
was not expecting him. His call was
very informal.
He almost had her in his arms, and
bent down-but he did not kiss her.
He had seen her face. There was a
red blotch on each cheek.
He stared at her so long that Phil
bic asked in a troubled voice: 80
early in the morning! What do you
want?'
Nothing, now" Angus -ut off the
words with cold fhality. Then, as an
after-regret, and with deep reproacb
In his voice: you said you wouldn't
put it on again"
"What?" asked Philberta. And be-
cause she looked at the can In front
of her, she put both hands to her
cheeks. Thereupon she began to laugh
an ever increasing crescendo of CUR
giles and trills. Finally, she struck her
already slightly discolored finger into
the can before her, and with 1t she
touched each of Angus cheeks.
That outraged gentleman had stood
IN motionless amaZement at her
mirth, but now he cautiously put un
one Of his own fingers to his cheek.
It felt wet and rather sticky. He
looked at his finger, smelled of the
red smooch, and then he, too, began
to laugh. When q Scotchman finally