The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-07-20
THE FLAPPER

ny AID II. kEMP.

3 1a~ N
G. 1921. WI Acclurs Newspaper syndicate
The lilac tree was like pageant,
tossing its plumes In the soft May
wind. Sara, up In the attic and deep
In the rites Of house-cleaning, leaned
out OF the window to catch the lam
guorous odors that drifted upwards
from Its hossomed loneliness.
"Oh. Sara, exclaimed Mrs. Burn
ham. when she glimpsed her daughter,
1--WE just had d letter from Aunt Lou
Use. Your cousin Barbara is very
much run down and Ii coming here
for the summer. Do read ii"
Sara took the letter and slowly read
It's contents.
It was four o'clock when Sara
hitched old Ted to the covered buggy
and drove down the country road to
the station. To her disappointment
she did not see her cousin. Only
a solitary little girl standing beside
a huge black trunk was there. s=IS
ooh, I wonder If you are Cousin
Sara" the little girl gasped, as she
reached the buggy. Sara's a%stonished
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. . %5
"You don't mean that you're Bar
bara," she gasped. why, ]. thought
you were a little girl
Barbara laughed easily. II don't
suppose you know much about style UP
here. I'm dead tired, and what will
we do with my trunk?" Suddenly
Sara's eyes frightened. Across the
street a young nan was just stepping
from the car. it,
"Oh, Joe," she called in her clear,
strong voice.
Joe came over Immediately.
I'D like you to meet my cousin,
Barbara Cushman." Then she added,
"Joe, we have a 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
the wholesome country food did o
ders for her, however. Not deeming
it worth while to dress for unappreci-
alive spectators, she left off the pow
der and was delighted to find a 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 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.
ooh, Barbara" she said, drawing
her cousins head tenderly down on
her shoulder, "are you sick, dear?"
For a minute there was no answer.
Then Barbara clutched Sara's hand
convulsively. Sara" she sobbed, II
have been such a fool. My 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
be happy again, never"
1t 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
it Is curly. I wish mine was" :
Barbara raised her head. "Do you
really think SOP" she asked. "And,
Sara, could you help ME let down my
lavender organdy for the church sup
per? Joe thinks it is a 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
downstairs, 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. j..
+, 1t was rather late in the evening,
and Mark and Sara were standing in
front Of the church, waiting for Bar
bara, who had mysteriously disap-
peared. Suddenly, from the shadow
of the old elm, she came hurrying
toward them. She took Sara's hand
and drew her to a side.
"Oh, Sara" she whispered, would
you mind? Joe wants to take me home
in his car. He says I look like a real
country violet, and I mustn't ever 60
back to the city again., T. y"
With a happy kiss she was gone.
Mark looked after the disappearing
pair gratefully. No longer would he
be reminded of the old adage: "Two's
company, three's a crowd"