Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-08-23
FLAP! FLAP! FLAP!
BY DORIS CAMPBELL


middle one OF the triO-midway In
complexion, age and height between
Gertrude, their brunette leader. and the
petite and very blonde Ruth.
When Cert blew herself TO a tweed
suit. Nan and Ruth did likewise.
So when Cert bobbed her hair, in
vested In some low-heeled. broad
strapped pumps. a walking stick and
cigarette case, Nan and Ruth followed
suit as a matter of course.
Flap! Flap! Flap!
Belleyille was scandalized. bold"
and shameless were about the mild
est words 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 kneesl!! Scan
dalous, that's what!
Flap! Flap!l Flap!l
But more about that banana skin-a
most important item. The girls had
started for a dressmaker's, on the out
skirts OF the town. but Ruth got such
a 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
20 meet him in the park that after
noon, tO hear something important.
But Cert was a 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.
Saunterlng 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, runling aud blllow-
ing over the seat. The wearer was
almost hidden by Il monstrous and
dropping hat.
"She Gamer ne exulted, his heart
pounding furiously with JOY. "She does
care, after all"
Silently he approached the seat;
leaning over till il seemed he would
lose his balance, and land in her lap,
he boldly embra, ed and kissed her.
Slap. Slupll Son, Larry -. It's
only you!" with relief. "But what do
you mean by kissing me?"
"Ruthle! | thought it was Cert l
asked her 10 meet me here today. She
didn't say she would but | thought
she had come and it's only you"
Ruth had 10 laugh in spite Of the real
tragedy in his forlorn face.
"You really do care a great deal for
Cert, don't you? Tell me about IL,
Larry" Misery loves company, and
Larry spilled his woes.
"what viii you give me If Cert be-
comes engaged to you within
month";
Anything you like"
"Chocolates, then. And | shall Sc
lect the biggest box In town"
"The biggest and best, Ruthie-half
n dozen of 'em-but, how'll you work
IT."
leave IL to me. You don't know
Ruthie like / do! Ruthless got brains,
even IL she doesn't look IL! Seriously,
IL looks very simple, Larry-Only-Iu
have to tell Nan, and perhaps one or
two others"
II all hinged. Ruth figured, on
Gert's 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
~ 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, az first ridi-
cullng their invitations, then admit
ting their attractive qualities, until
finally Cert, assured that it would not
be long before she would be practi-
cally deserted FOR the two men. passed
from uneasiness to decision.
"Tll Just have to beat them to Il"
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 MIN to supper one sun
dav. When Larry went home that
night he left a kiss on Gert's lips
and ring on her finger.
'sThree weeks" he murmured admir-
Ingly. "Gosh. Ruth is sure some girl :
II wasn't long before Nan, and
Ruth. too, were engaged, and that fan
there was triple wedding.
They kept their becoming bobbed
hair. but the walking sticks were dis
carded. 10 Belleville's satisfaction. and