Idaho County free press., 1922-09-14
THE FLAPPER
BY ADELAIDE r. KEMP.


guorous odors that drifted upward
from it's blossomed loveliness.
"Oh, Sara" exclaimed Mrs. Burn
ham, when she glimpsed her daughter
1--WE just had a letter from Aunt Lou
Use. Your cousin Barbara is yer,
much run down and is coming her
for the summer. Do read it,"
Sara took the letter and slowly reat
fits contents
II was four o'clock when Sars
hitched old Ted to the covered buggy
and drove down the country road IL
the station. To her disappointment
she did not see her cousin. Only
solitary little girl standing beside
huge black trunk was there.
"Oh, 1 wonder II you are Cousin
Sara" the little girl gasped, as she
reached the buggy. Sara's astonished
eyes Travelled from the knee-length
skirt to the light bobbed hair under
the violently colored hat. Then they
stopped at the powdered face, inf
nitely old and weary.
you don't mean that you're Bar
bara," she gasped. "Why, l thought
you were a little girl"
Barbara laughed easily. 81 don't
here. I'm dead tired, and what will
we do with my trunkT' Suddenly
Sara's eyes frightened. Across the
street a young man was just stepping
from the car.
"Oh, joe" she called In her clear.
strong voice.
Joe came over Immediately.
'Td like you to meet my cousin,
Barbara Cushman." Then she added,
"Joe, we have big trunk we can't
manage. wonder If you could carry
1t home for u.s." AS she spoke she
watched the young mans face. 1t
wore the same expression of bewilder-
ment she knew had been on her own.
They drove home rather slowly.
The weeks passed quickly enough
for Sara with all her duties. Barbara
at first spent most of her time In the
hammock, writing letters or reading.
The fresh air, long, restful nights and
Tic WnOlcoOluC COunLiy lOOu 0io WOh-
ders for her, however. Not deeming
It worth while to dress for unappreci-
ative spectators, she left off the pow
der and was delighted to find soft,
pink flush appearing on her rounding
cheeks Mark Sherman took the girls
to ride and was over a good many eve
nings. Sometimes Joe Curtis Joined
them on the piazza, making a four
some.
At first Barbara told tales of won
derful automobile rides and theater
parties, or stories of splendid dances
she had attended. But there always
appeared an atmosphere of restraint
among the others, who apparently did
not share her enthusiasm. One eve
ming she was unusually quiet. After
the two young men left she followed
Sara to her room and, sitting on the
edge of the bed, watched the latter
brush her long, soft hair. Suddenly
and very quietly she began to cry.
Sara went to her In an instant.
"Oh Barbara" she said, drawing
her cousins head tenderly down on
her shoulder, "are you sick, dear"
For minute there was no answer.
Then Barbara clutched Sara's hand
convulsively. Sara" she sobbed, II
have been such fool. Ny hair was
as long as yours, and now it's spoiled.
I've just made myself look like a
freak, trying to copy the others. None
of my friends in the city are real. I'll
never be happy again, never"
It was some time after this out
burst before Sara could quiet her. She
stroked the short, golden hair softly.
"You have not spoiled your looks at
all, DEAR" she said, when Barbara
would listen. "Your hair is very thick,
and it has grown long since you came.
You have plenty to do in a soft, low
knot, and it will be so becoming, for
1t is curly. 1 wish mine was"
Barbara raised her head. "Do you
really think so?" she asked. "And,
Sara, could you help me let down my
lavender organdy for the church sup
per? Joe thinks it is lovely color"
She blushed as she added this.
The next day the girls were very
busy in preparation for the before
mentioned supper When they came
ready at last, Mrs. Burn
ham gave a gasp of astonishment as
she saw Barbara. Then she went
over and kissed her on each rosy
cheek.
1t was rather late in the evening,
md Mark and Sara were standing in |
'ront of the church, waiting for Bar
,ara, who had mysteriously disap- |
,eared. Suddenly, from the shadow
If the old elm, she came hurrying
oward them. She took Sara's hand
md drew her to one side.
"Oh, Sara" she whispered, would
Tou mind? Joe wants to take me home
n his car. He says / look like real
ountry violet and / mustn't ever go
'ack to the city again"
With a happy kiss she was gone.
lark looked after the disappearing
air gratefully. No longer would he
e reminded of the old adage: "Two's
~