Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-10-05
THE FLAPPER
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by ADELAIDE r. KEMP.

In the rites OF house cleaning, leaned
out of the window to catch the Ian
guorous odors that drifted upward,
from it's blossomed loveliress.
'Oh, Sara" exclaimed Mrs. Burn
ham, when she gllmpsed her daughter
1--WE just had letter from aunt Lou
Use. Your cousin Barbara is yer,
much run down and is coming here
for the summer. Do read it,"
Sara took the letter and slowly read
fits contents.
1t was four o'clock when Sara
hitched old Ted to the covered buggy
and drove down the country road tc
the station. TO her disappointment
she did not see her cousin. Only
ii solitary little girl standing beside
huge black trunk was there.
"Oh, | wonder if you are Cousin
Sara" the little girl gasped, as she
reached the buggy. Sara's astonlshed
eyes travelled from the kneelength
skirt to the light bobbed hair under
the violently colored hat. Then they
stopped ar the powdered face, inf.
nitely old and weary.
You don't mean that you're Bar
bara," she gasped why, l thought
you were little girl"
Barbara laughed easily. ~ don't
suppose you know much about style up
here I'm dead tired, and what will
we do with my trunk7' 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 a big trunk we can't
manage | wonder If you could carry
II home for us" 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
al 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 Won
ders for her, however, Not deeming
IL 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 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.
ooh, Barbara" she said, drawing
her cousins head tenderly down on
her shoulder, "are you sick, dearT
For a minute there was no answer
Then Barbara clutched Sara's hand
convulsively. sara she sobbed, II
have been such fool. My hair was
as long as yours, and now it's spoiled.
I've lust made myself look like a
freak, trying to copy the others None
of my friends in the city are real. I'll
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 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 soft low
knot and it will be so becoming, for
II is curly. I wish mine was"
Barbara raised her head do you
really think so?" she asked. And,
Sara. could you help me let down my
lavender orgapdy for the church sup
per? Joe thinks it Is 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 establishment as
she saw Barbara Then she went
over and kissed her on each rosy
cheek
If 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 hurrylng
toward them. She took Saras mana
and drew her TO one side.
"Oh. Sara" she whispered would
Won mind? Joe wants to take me nome
In his car. He says I look like a real
country violet. and | mustn't ever go
back to the city again
with a happy kiss she was gone,
Mark looked after the disappearing
pair gratefully. No longer would ne
he reminded Of the old adage: Two
,,,,,,,,ar,- tbrse's 81 crowd"