, 1922-03-23
The Willard Junior
Ball
BY JANE OSBORN


Five years had sped since Dalton
Drew was graduated from Willard col
lege, and now he was revisiting the
little college town for the first time
in all that long lapse of years. To be
sure 1t was a matter of business. A
client Of the law firm of which he was
a Junior partner lived in the outskirts
of Willard, and Dalton Drew had been
detailed to take this necessary trip to
see him. Dalton arrived at sx o'clock
of the evening preceding the morning
when he vas 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 still a
resident of Willard. Benson Forsyth
had married and lived at home. but he
apologlzed 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 a thing in tow by way of amuse-
ment. Sometimes we have a good show.
Well 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 Barlow's?"
asked Dalton. recalling the confection-
cry restaurant that had been a verita-
BILE institution among the college boys
when he was I'm college. Barlow
hasn't gone out of b~usinessT"
That's the trouble" complained
Benson. Barlow still gets all the
business. Tonight is Junior prom. The
Barlow's with their girls. We could
probably get a table-Barlow always
puts up extra tables and has extra
walters, but it's enough to taxi your
appetite away"
Dalton did not understand, so Ben
son explained. T see all those girls
most of them just foolish girls from
country homes-coming to their first
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
what you're used to in the city, I'm
afraid you would be disguised"
"Still," deliberated Dalton, 1--WE 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
1t would be interesting. In 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 1915, look
ing quite worldly wise and middle
aged to the boys and girls who were
dining at Barlow's that night, took
THEM places at a small table set up In
one of the aisles. II was they, not the
students. who felt a little embarrassed
at the contrast. They made no COM
ments until the walter 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 /
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 liners at a table nearby,
which, however, Dalton Drew could
not rave seen without turning around
In his chair. 81 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
the table behind you-you can't see
them nowhere are a couple OF cal
%low-looklng juniors and two of the
trlmmest looking little twins you ever
saw-bobbed hair, jade earrings,
peaches and cream compilations. Do
you see anything that looks good to
your"
"Yes," said Dalton. "the girl at the
little table to the right"
Benson Forsyth turned enough TO
notice the girl In question. you're
~joklng-poor girl, she looks scared
enough to choke. And she's with her
brother. He's Jack Mnteland's young
er brother, fraternity brothers Of ours.
Poor girl. Funny she's so plain-Jack
and Tom are good-looking fellows"
Dalton Drew looked again, reflect
ing on the obvious difference I'm his
W and Benson Forsyth's taste. To
be sure. the girl he admired was no
well dressed. Likewise she was lack
ing In assurance. The stin hat that
crowned her smoothly brushed hair
seemed too large and from time to
time the girl lifted n slender but awk-
ward index finger straight before her
nose to raise the brlm of the hat that
seemed In peril OF ~ecllpsIng her lace
entirely. When she did this her round
eyes that she kept wide open and that
looked a little humid from excitement.
seemed 10 cross just a small fraction
OF a degree. Awkward ms the gesture
md expression was. Il struck Dalton
Drew as amusing and really delight
full. He enjoyed his feeling of nd.