The northwestern bulletin., 1923-10-27
With a Flapper's
Soul
Esssssssssssss
kSse Iy29. hy Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
By CORONA REMINGTON

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
,Se 1874. ey Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Elsie Dugan screwed her face up
into a knot and glared at her refiec-
ton In the mirror. With the palm of
her hand she slapped the smooth sur
face Of the glass once. twice. three
times.
"Therel Take that and that and
that!" she said, then crumpled up into
q little heap and burst into tears.
"Oh, Lord, why did you make me
so ugly, and then give me fiapper's
sOuli" she mOaned.
Ordinarily Elsie was q cheerful,
easy-going little Irish girl, but upon
certain occasions all the rebellion In
her nature fared up and she indulged
In an orgy Of despair.
Suddenly she rose from the bed and
ripped or her fiimsy little evening
dress. Rolling It ruthlessly into q
ball, she threw II I'm the corner Of the
room.
"And II took q whole months sal
airy to buy I'll II you aren't q fiapper,
don't try to dap she grimly advised
herself.
Then she walked across the room,
recovered the poor little bit Of green
chiffon and tafteta and started
smoothing II out
Tt wasn't your fault You tried to
make me popular and make those silly
fool men see me and dance with me,
but--but 1t was too big q job for one
little green dress"
She talked to the garment as II Il
were some living thing that she had
crushed and offended.
But it's all of, little happer frock.
We won't 60 to any more dances or
parties or anything. Wen go to
church and Sunday school and the
rest Of the time we'll stay right here
at home and we won't try to compete
with a whole bunch Of bobbed-haired
beauties who know this Tapping game
from A to lizard. Painfully practical,
that's what am-cut out to marry q
middle-aged farmer with half a dozen
savage kids left him by his first wife
UghI"
She glanced at the clock on the
dresser.
"After one and I have to be at the
Office by eight"
II was late the next afternoon that
Frank Faulkner sauntered into her
office.
"H'lo. Elsie" he greeted with all the
familiarity one employee has for
another. saw you at the dance last
night"
Elsie flushed scarlet and looked
down at her typewriter; then up
again.
"Yes, 1 had a beast OF time. I'm
not cut out for social things. I'm of
1t all forever"
That's tough luck for me. Just
came In to ask you to 60 to dinner
with me tonight and we could take in
q show afterward. Wish you could.
Elsie"
"Well, that's different" she told
him. "Fd love to 60 II you want me,
but I'm just not going to any more
parties and dances"
"Good. ! thought you'd 20 with me.
I'll wear my evening suit, II you say.
! don't get many chances. And wen
60 to q sure enough hotel and make
believe we're big folk"
They laughed together happily.
II think that would be great and I'll
wear my little green DRESS"
At six o'clock Elsie went down In
answer to the doorbsll and found her
escort waiting for her.
isn't this fun !" she said, her face
lighted with happiness, -and oh, q
taxil You extravagant thingi"
II know, but this II our night"
He helped her In with all the nat-
tering Difference Of q real gallant and
her heart Jumped at the attention
II feel like Q princess" she laughed.
Arrived at the hotel. they ordered
many strange things they found listed
on the menu. then spent bllssful mo-
ments before the waiter returned won
dering what they would be Like.
Regular pig In poke smiled
Elsie.
1t was q gay dinner. They laughed
and chatted and joked and teased and
felt like two children playing grownup.
Afterward az he helped her on with
her wrap he said in boyish tones:
How would you like to drive out to
the park and sit around the lake In
stead Of going to q show7 It's so hot
tonight and besides want to talk"
"Pd love It." Elsie declared. 81
wanted to suggest It, but was afraid
you might have your heart set on some
particular show"
In the park by the lake It was cool
and quiet. The moon hanging over
the water threw q soft light over all.
you know, Elsie, I've got q lot I've
wanted to tell you for ages. I've had
a disappointing sort Of q time. Pm
only a bookkeeper. but I'm learning
the cost Of things and saving q little
money and some day I'm going to start
out on my own. I,adore your red hair
and your little nery temper and your