The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-08-10
THE FLAPPER
BY ADELAIDE r. KEMP.

tOSHlnR lls plumeB III tne bolt ""f
wind. Sara, up In the attic and deep
In the rites Of house-cleanng' leaned
out of the window to catch the IAN
guorous odors that drlfted upwards
from Its bloss0med loneliness.
"Oh. Sara" exclaimed Mrs. Burn
ham. when she gimpsed her daughter
"Tve just had letter from Aunt LOU
ise. Your cousin Barbara is very
much run down and Is coming here
for the summer DO read It,"
Sara took the letter and slowly read
its contents.
1t 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
solitary little girl standing beside
n huge black trunk was there.
ooh, 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
nltely old and weary.
"You don't mean that you're Bar
bnra," she gasped. "Why, ] thought
you were a little girl"
Barbara laughed easily. u 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 man was just stepping
from the car.
"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 big trunk we can't
manage. ! wonder II you could carry
II home for us" As she spoke she
watched the young mans face. It
wore the same expression Of bewllder-
! ment she knew had been on her own.
They drove home rather slowly.
The weeks passed quickly enough
1 for Sara with all her duties Barbara
/ al first spent most of her time In the
hammock, writing letters or reading.
The fresh air long, Festful nights and
the wholesome country food did won
ders for her. however. Not deeming
II worth while to dress for unapprecl-
atlve 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 good many eve
nings. Sometimes Joe Curtis joined
them on the piazza, making 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
convuslyely. "Sara,' she sobbed, 81
have been such a fool. My hair was
as long as yours, and now it's spoiled
rye Just made myself look like q
freak. trying to copy the others. None
of my friends in the city are real. III
never be happy again, never
II 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 a
all dear" she said, when BarbarJ
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 1t will be so becoming, fol
it is curly. | wish mine was"
Barbara raised her head DO yol
really think so?" she asked and
Sara could you help me let down m!
lavender orgnndy for the church sup
per? Joe thinks 1t is lovely color.
She blushed MS she added this.
The next day the girls were yer,
busy In preparation for the before
mentioned supper. When they CAM
downstairs, ready at last, Mrs. Burn
ham gave a gasp of establishment a
she saw Barbara. Then she wen
over and kissed her on each ros,
check.
II was rather late In the evening
ana Mark and Sara were standing II
front of the church, waiting for Bar
bara, who had mysterlously disap
peared. Suddenly, from the shadoy
of the old elm, she came hurryin
toward them. She took Sara's ham
and drew her to one side.
"Oh, Sara" she whispered, "woul
you mind? Joe wants to take me HON
in his car. He says look like rea
country violet. and l mustn't ever &
back to the city again"
Ill ell,