Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-12-14
CROSSED WIRES
BY ANNE RICHARDS.
1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndi

Frances MOultOn's eyes were spark
ling with anticipation and laughter as
she stood before her mirror putting the
finishing touches to most becoming
but somewhat unusual costume. To be
sure, skirts were being worn short this
season, but even the gayest of the gay
circles did not carry the prevailing
style to quite such height, for the
lowest hem Of the lowest rufle on
Frances party gown scarcely covered
the knees, which, stranger still, wore
no covering beneath the rufile, a pair
Of white socks with tiny pink ribbon
bows at the top reaching only partially
to the fluffy rufie.
A call Of 'Taxi's here" from below
fastened her movements. 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, STEP
ping in. settled down comfortably on
the cushions.
Frances belonged to q club Of girls
who were always thinking up some
novelty In the way Of merrymaking.
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
neighbor and had copied her dancing
school frock for the occasion, looking
forward gayly to the surprise she
would give the girls.
The club was to be entertained at
the new home Of Isabel Burr, one of
the club members, into which her FAM
lily had moved but fortnight before.
The taxi stopped and, alighting,
Frances went up the steps, where
trim maid opened the door and mo-
toned her up broad stairway. In the
large, nicely furnished chamber above
few wraps showed that she was not
the first arrival.
As she passed down the stairs later
were strangers and looked at her rath.
er oddly. Who had the girls invited
to this affair, anyway?
In the doorway at the foot Of the
stairs she stopped short. OF the group
in the room about half were gentle
men, and all were in regulation dress.
A lady Of middle age came up to her.
The lady who had greeted her came
to her side. saying pleasantly: "Par-
don me, l do not recall your name"
Frances Moulton. Are you Isabel's
mother"
Isabel? Who is Isabel?" The lady
looked puzzled.
"Why, Isabel Burr, who entertains
our club here this evening"" Frances
felt that she was in very real night
mare.
II am not acquainted with Isabel
Burr, and this is the home of Mr.. Pen
dexter Burrage. l am Mrs. Burrage."
Frames looked at her in stunned sur
prise. isn't this-who-where-" she
stammered.
"Oh, can't you take me some
where?" She shrank back from the
stairway just as an alert young man
came from the hall.
"HellO, mother, have you adopted
little girl? Who is the pink fairy?"
"This young lady seems to have
made a mistake of some kind. Law
renee. She thought this was the home
of Miss Burr friend Of hers"
ooh, if you will let me explain" and
Frances told them who she was, where
she lived and the reason for her I'M
usual costume.
Mrs. Burrage looked relieved, and
her son laughed heartily, which seemed
to relieve the tension, and for the first
time Frances smiled and felt ray Of
hope.
A few minutes at the telephone
solved the riddle. Merely a transpos-
ing of numbers had brought Frances
to dance given by Mrs. Pendexter
Burrager to the members Of the ex-
elusive college club, instead Of the in
formal merrymaking of group Of
her intimate friends.
"Oh, how could have been so heed
less? l am so sorry to have caused
you all this trouble. If may ask
one more favor, will you be SO kind
as to telephone for taxi, and will
relieve you Of my society,""
Better than that" returned Law
renee. "Wait here five minutes and I
viii take you in my car" and he went
out before Frances could voice her
objections. ..
A few moments later, as they rolled
slowly down the long avenue, for the
young man was in no haste to land
his winsome passenger, Frances
breathed sigh of relief as she said,
"Oh. I am so grateful to you and your
mother"
II will call tomorrow evening SO
that you may have better opportunity
OF expressing your gratitude" said her.
companion.
II will be grown up by that time"
But not more charming, am sure"
He brought the car to stop and
jumped out. Little girls have to be
helped out of automobiles" Taking
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