The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1922-08-19
FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!
BY DORIS CAMPBELL


IS, ls22, by Mcclure Newspaper Syndieate.)
Anna, serious. authenticated, is the
middle one of the trio-midway In
complexion. age and height between
Gertrude, their brunette leader, and tile
petite and very blonde Ruth.
When Cert blew herself to n tweed
suit, Nan and Ruth did likewise.
So when Cert bobbed her hair, IN
vested in some loW-heeled, broad.
strapped pumps, walking stick and
cigarette case, Nan and Ruth followed
suit as matter of course.
Flap! Flap. FLAP.
Belleville was scandalized. "Bold"
and shameless were about the mild
est worts used TO describe them. Were
their folks crazy to let them carry on
so? No, no one had actually seen
them smoking. But of course they did.
And Ruth had slipped on a banana
skin. and when she fell you could see,
with only one eye, that her stockings
didn't cover up her knees!ll Scan
dalous, that's what!
zap! mp! !! zap +!
But more about that banana skln--a
most important item. The girls had
started for a dresSmakers, on the out
skirts of the town, but Ruth got such
bang when she fell that she decided
TO sit in the park and wait for them.
So over She hcbbled to a seat nearly
hidden by shrubbery, after buying
magazine.
Larry had begged Girt that morning
to meet him in the park that after
noon, to hear something important.
But Cert was tease, and she only
laughed and said not to expect her
till he saw her Larry was really serI-
Gus, and though he had no idea OF be-
ing fortunate enough to find her, he
walked through the park.
Sauntering along gloomily, he saw a
flash of green that nature never pro-
duced. Moving closer, he saw, through
the Stats In the back of the bench, a
pert green dress, ruftlng and billow-
ing over the seat. The wcarer was
almost hidden by q monstrous and
dropping hat.
'She camel" ne exulted, his heart
pounding furlously with joy. "She does
care, after ALL"
Silently he approached the seat !;
lose his balance, and land in her lap,
he boldly embraced and kissed her.
Slap Slap! Son, Larryli! It's
only you!" with relief. but what do
you mean by kissing me?"
"Ruthie! thought it was Cert. l
asked her to meet me here today She
didn't say she would, but | thought
she had come and it's only your"
Ruth had to laugh in spite of the real
tragedy in his forlorn face.
you really Go care a great deal for
Cert, don't you? Tell me about it,
Larry" Misery loves company, and
Larry spilled his woes.
"What Will you give me If Cert be-
comes engaged to you within a
month";"
Anything you like!"
Chocolates, then. And / shall Sc
lect the biggest box in town"
THE biggest and best, Ruthie-half
a dozen of 'em-but. how'll you work
it,"
Leave 1t to me. You don't know
Ruthie like l do Ruthless got brains,
even If she doesn't look it! Seriously,
ii looks very simple, Larry-only-I'll
have to tell Nan, and perhaps one or
two others"
1t all hinged, Ruth figured, on
Gerts being a born leader AS truly
as she loved Nan and Ruth, she liked
to be first, but she wanted them to
follow. Nan agreed that Ruth's plan
would be ridiculously easy.
With the aid of Mans cousin Dick,
who had always thought Ruthie pref
ty nice. and his friend, Bob, who was
quite delighted to beau" Nan around,
there came a change, subtle at first,
then most pronounced. Nan and Ruth
mentioned Bob and Dick more and
more often before Cert, at first ridi-
culing their invitations, then admit
ting their attractive qualities, until
finally Cert, assured that 1t would not
be long before she would be practi-
cally deserted for the two men, passed
from uneasiness to decision.
'I1l just have to beat them to IT,
she determined, and TO Larry's great
Joy. accepted his invitation to the
Fourth Of July celebration and dance.
Then she accepted other ones, also
books and candy, and wonder of won
ders invited him to supper one Sun
day When Larry went home that
night he left kiss on Gerts lips
and ring on her finger.
'Three weeks" he murmured admir-
ingly. "Gosh, Ruth is sure some girl I"
II wasn't long before Nan, and
Ruth, too, were engaged. and that fall
there was triple wedding.
They kept their becoming bobbed
hair, but the walking sticks were dis
carded, to Belleville's satisfaction. and
the cigarette cases were attached to
masculine watch chains. And there
were confessions-terrible ones, which
would have Mortified Belleville.
Eve tried 10 smoke" shyly, "once.
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