Ellsworth American., 1922-09-06
A GIRL FROM PARIS
BY LILLIAN DoUGHERTY n
" Ss.s = .sss = s.s. -
g. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicat


girl" 6
"From Parish" Nettie Ketchum's eyes
opened wide with surprise and dismay.
The acknowledged belle Of PAeville
could hardly be expected to greet news
Of visitor from Paris with equanim-
ity.
"Yes. She's lived there all her life.
She's nineteen now. Well be back We'd
nesday," Mrs. Parsons said, and
hurried away to the station.
Before noon the whole village was
bubbling over with the news Of a visi-
tor from across the water. From Paris
of all places!
"She sure will liven up this burg
Paul Tinker remarked. "And I'll say we
need It," Paul kept the only garage In
town. and owned roadster. He was
considered Nettie~ ~Ketchum's undisput-
ed property.
"Of course she'll be at the Masonic
dance Thursday night" Mile Carson
said. II just can't wear my lavender
silk again."
Il say, Paul, O. man. she'll talk
French, you know. We ought to know a
few words to sorta give juda spirit
to our conversation Jasper King
turned confidently to Paul. The others
looked at him with surprised respect
"There's French books in the
library" Millie offered.
Before long the group separated elab.
orately, going in different directions.
len minutes later, Nettie ran into
Paul at the foot of the library steps.
1--WE been trying to get Main Street
for the longest time" she murmured.
Paul said nothing, but once inside the
door he melted into the dark recesses
In the back, where he tripped over
Jasper tuEging dusty volumes from
the lower shelf.
Forlornly Nettie wandered home She
could not afford new dress, and, any
way, she felt doomed to be eclipsed by
the hr !iant foreigner. She stifled sob
as she saw the intelIoper dashing about
In fatl's car. with Paul making love to
her. 1t was sure TO happen so.
In another day Pineville got busy in
earnest, preparing a welcome to the
stranger. SHE should not End things TOO
different from her Paris home If they
could help 1t.
\ The village Emporium decorated one
or It's windows with two hands claSped,
one labeled Paris" the other "Pine-
ville," each emerging from the folds of
its national colors.
The Ladies' Aid made large French
flag and it hung across the street be-
tween the Masonic hall and the post
office. The village buzzed and scrubbed
and polished for five days.
Nettie alone made no preparations.
She was sure Paul would become en-
meshed in the tolls of the French "ad
venturess," and that there was no use
fighting fate. Paul had polished and
cleaned his automobile and covered II
carefully for the night of the dance.
When he neglected to take her for their
usual Sunday drive she wrote to her
aunt in Connecticut, Offering to spend
the summer with her.
Mrs. Parsons and her cousin did not
arrive until late Tuesday night. A per-
turbed neighbor knocked at the kitchen
door early Wednesday morning and
was met by Mrs Parsons, briskly get
ting breakfast.
1--WE were just so busy down to Bos
ton that we missed the early train.
And Cally was seasick from the boat,
too. She's sleeping late this morning.
She would be delighted to go to the
dance that night, Mrs. Parsons was
sure.
"she,s as nice ! little girl as ever l
see,' she added.
Nettie was dressing in her old rose
colored voile when Paul called up and
said he thought he ought to bring Mrs.
| Parsons and her cousin to the dance
| in his machine. She choked back de-
sire to cry, but she agreed with him
and, stubbornly resisting a temptation
to stay at home, got ready and went
with her brother.
The crowded hall was in panic OF
suspense half hour before the word
went around, "They are coming" Then
| it broke up into giggling, whispering
groups. The tableau was arranged
each one of the group standing stiffly
holding an armful Of roses.
Paul entered first and Immediately
the band struck up the "Marsefllaise.'
He looked queer, tlustered and tritie
ghastly. He gazed wildly around the
| room, saw Nettie, and rushed across te
| her with something of the attitude OF
| one fleeing from doom.
How lovely you look" he said rap
| turously, squeezing her hand.
Lovely, beside the girl from Paris?
paris !" Paul fairly snorted. "There
| she is now. Look at her !"
In the doorway, shrinking behint
| Mrs. Parsons ample purple gownet
figure, was girl, timidly twisting
her red hands in the skirt Of hei
striped muslin dress. Her mouse
colored hair was pulled up shameless
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