The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-03-02
AN AWAKENING
by ISABELLE ENGLAND

MARY, darling" murmured Ted.
Love me lots? Hummm7 Why. what's
the trouble now what the deuce-7"
For his fiancee's expression had be-
come anything but fiattering She
looked, indeed, decidedly bored.
you're sweet boy" yawned Mary,
but really, you're horribly tiresome.
One can be so sure Of you. Oh, Ted I
do wish you weren't so faithful and
adoring and-well-unthrillin Now,
II you'd only make love to Cynthia,
next door, or something like that
want excitement, and freedom. want
to be Kidnapped by big, bad man
with rough hands, and be pulled by
the hair, and kissed brutally, until
Oh-h-h-h--T
Ted regarded her, open-mouthed,
with half-dszed, incredulous express
sion. Then his face hardened
"I'm sorry" he retorted, sneeringly,
no longer the meek and perfect lover
but very angry boy. Sorry l had
the great misfortune be born respect
able. Sorry I'm not ruffian. Drag
you by the hair, eh1 A spanking would
be more effectivew
Mary smiled, maddeningly.
"Of course you can't comprehend my
feelingsi Your life Is so shallow, so
petty. Your highest ambition is to
marry me. Ye godsl What have
done to deserve such a fate. II you
were half a man, you'd abuse me once
In while. or do something to make
life interesting"
Nary Startled, but once more
adoring, he knew not what to SAY.
Anyhow, don't stand there gazing at
me with that adoring. calf-like ex-
preston !" she scolded. ssas6
Ted was all at sea. His dignity had
been completely swept away. He ap-
peared grieved and meek. and q little
uncomprehending, entirely unbeliewing.
IMAGINARY, / can't understand
can't see what the deuce is the matter.
Didn't you like the violets I brought
your And he gave an injured glance
At the discarded Offering.
Mistress Mary, quite contrary, 4
shrugged disdainfuliy.
"Not so bad" she answered, but n
would have been much more interest
ing II you'd given them to some other
girl. Please run home and don't
bother me any longerT ,.4
Mary laughed gayly as Ted's defect
ed back passed from view At the bend
Of the road.
"What an utter borel" she sighed.
II wonder II I'd look more piquant
and bohemisn with my hair bobbedf
And Ted hates bobbed hair Oh,
could anything get him really mad, and
keep him mad7 Inspirationi"
ooh, mamma! Where's my combi
And oh, yes, the scissors, toe2 And,
mamma, you wouldn't mind getting me
the hand mirror, would you? Thank
youl"
Mrs. Doran, a worried-looking little
woman. fdgeted nervously about her
over-temperamenta daughter until the
latter Enthusiastically excused her.
81 hope you're not going to do any
thing rash, Mary" murmured the ner-
vOus little mother rather APOLOGIZE |
cally.
"Oh for heavens sake, do go away, |
or I certainly will !" CALCULATED Mary |
GROSSLY. Cant l have a minutes
peace"
Mary yawned. Really, she was so
tired
She pondered deeply a moment. Then,
her decision made, she raised the scis-
sors gingerly and trusted to luck-the
flapper's god!
Several hours later rather different
Mary tripped down the stairs-a girl
with short stiff, uneven hair, resem-
bling nothing so much as a futurist
puzzle. Mary's eyes were susplclously
red. She held her head defiantly as
she swept by her Mortified father and
her nearly hysterical mother. to the
front porch.
The stars glittered dreamily; the
town was quiet. What's more, Mary
felt lonely.
She smiled in self-satisfaction. OF
course she would take the poor boy
back-after he had sufficiently suffered
and repented Ms stupidity. In her mind
she had the reunion almost staged
when
"YOu darling!" Ted's voice sounded.
IL was dreamy, soft. The porch swing
next door, at Cynthia's house, ceased
a gurgle Of delight Then,
Mary gasped and CROPPED feebly for
the door. That funny feeling In her
heart was almost intolerable. All her
sensations seemed to grow vaguer-
stranger. She fell.
Mrs. Doran, hurying into Mary's
room. discovered her daughter In a
tumbled heap on the floor In front Of
the easy-chair from which she had Just
slid.
didn't hurt yourself, dear, did
your inquired Mrs Doran. I'D have
IA. -. 4. I