The Press., 1922-05-25
The Willard Junior
 Ball
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By JANE OSBORN


 Five years had sped since Dalton Drew was graduated from Willard col lege, and now he was reVisltlng the little college town for the hrSt tune in all that long lapse of years. To De sure it was q matter of business. A client of the law firm of which he was 8 junior partner lived in the outskirts of Willard, and Dalton Drew had been detailed to take this necessary trip 10 see him. Dalton arrived at six o'clock of the evening preceding the morning when he was booked to call on the client, and at the railroad station got in touch with one of his fraternity brothers whom he knew to be stliI resident of Willard. Benson FOrsyth had married and lived at home, but ne apOIOgized to Dalton, as his wife was taking a vacation, and as the cook had taken French leave, he could not play a very good host.
 Dalton, however, took a taxi to the home of Benson Forsyth.
 "There is nothing to eat in. the house." explained Benson, "and there isn't thing in town by way of amuse- ment. Sometimes we have good show. We'll have to go down to the Willard house and have dinner and then come to my home here for a quiet evening""
 'What is the matter with BarIOw'sE asked Dalton, recalling the cOnfection- cry restaurant that had been verita- ble institution among the college boys when he was in college. Barlow hasn't gone out of business?'
 "Thats the trOuble,'' complained Benson. Barlow still gets all the business. Tonight is junior prom. The whole junior class will be dining at Barlow's with their girls. We could probably get table-BarlOW always puts up extra tables and has extra walters but it's enough to take your appetite away"
 Dalton did not understand. so Ben son explained. ITO see all those girls most of them just foolish girls from country hOmes-cOming to their nrst big college dance. Going to BarlOw's with some grass-green college student is a great event. Some of them are pretty enough, but no style. After 
 afraid you would be diSgusted."
 "Stin." deliberated Dalton, i've were just as green when we were juniors. and the girls we thought perfection were probably just as simple and de mure. Fact is. Benson, I've an idea it would he interesting. I'm no great admirer of the self-pOssessed, self-sat- isfied girl of the big city. Let's go to BarlOw's.'
 That is how it happened that Drew and Forsyth, of the class of 1916, look ing quite worldly wise and middle aged to the boys and girls who were dining at BarlOw's that night. took their places at small table set up in one of the aisles. It was they, not the students, who felt little embarrassed at the contrast. They made no com ments until the waiter had set before them the first course of the famous Barlow table d'hOte, especially elab- crate on the night of one of the big college dances.
 "They're not so tame looking as l thought" said Benson Forsyth with considerable self-consciOusness as he became aware of the fact that he had been looking with considerable intent ness at the diners at a table nearby, which, however, Dalton Drew could not have seen without turning around In his chair. "I dare say girls, even country girls, are more sophisticated, know how to dress better and all that than girls of that sort used to. At r't them nowhere are a couple of cal low looking juniors and two of the trimmest looking little twins you ever saw-bobbed hair, jade earrings, peaches and cream cOmplexiOns. Do you see anything that looks good to you?"
 "Yes." said Dalton, "the girl at the little table to the right"
 Benson Forsyth turned enough to notice the girl in question. You're joking-poor girl, she looks scared enough to choke. And she's with her l brother. He's Jack Matelands young CT brother fraternity brothers of ours. Poor girl. Funny she's so pIain-Jack and Tom are gOOd-lOOking fellows" Dalton Drew looked again, reflect ing on the obvious difference in his own and Benson Forsyth's taste. T0 be sure, the girl he admired was n0l well dressed. Likewise she was lack ing in assurance. The stiff hat that crowned her smoothly brushed hair seemed too large and from time to time the girl lifted a slender but awk- ward index finger straight before heI nose to raise the brim of the hat that seemed in peril of eclipsing her face entirely. When she did this her round eyes that she kept wide open and that looked a little humid from excitement seemed to cross just small fraction of degree. Awkward as the gesture and expression was, it struck DaltOr Drew as amusing and really delight ful. He enjoyed his feeling of ad miration, the more because it took con siderable perspicacity to realize tha she was really very pretty. He cas- his eyes about the dining room. turned enough to catch glimpse of the twins and reflected that this Jane MatelAn( was undoubtedly the prettiest girl a BarlOw's-a fact that. he did nO vOuchSafe to the unappreciative Ben son Forsyth
 When Benson and Dalton rose t' leave their table if happened that Ton Mateland. junior. and his sister ha' also risen -at the same time. At th' 6no" +hnr~ "-o"n irt"n,I"ctiOnS and aI exchange of the fraternity handshake between the men.
 Dalton Drew stepped ahead with Jane Mateland when they had gone out. You are going to the prOm?" he asked, and Jane, with some confusion, said that she was not.
 Isis will go some other time, laughed Tom with obvious embarrass ment, and they parted, Tom and Jane In one direction and Dalton and Ben