Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1923-08-18
REDHEAD
BY AiLpA LoENsoN

| Il ~ HjID< JOHNSON
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90. isas. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndicats.)
larry CREWE, or Brother" al
- most Of the villagers knew him
was sweet-tempered and. oh. so youth
full. His red hair. instead Of causing
merriment. resulted In tolerant admira.
ton because he never allowed himself
to become angry when leased about
his curly, soft, red mass Of hair.
Brother" said his older sister, with
IN amused air, "I'd like to tell you that
your hair IL just the color Of newly.
ripening tomato-if thought 1t would
affect you in the least. But It's no fun
teasing you-you're tooltame!"
Brother. just turned twenty. blushed
started to retort. thought better Of it.
and removed himself from his sisters
presence. :
Bethlia Markham. Lippit's only really
beautiful girl. was "eoming out" the
same year that Brothers hair was
turning that ripe tomato shade Of red
Her first party was scheduled for the
balmy month Of May. while her first
evening dress was to be vision Of the
delicate color Of the Mayfower, CON-
bined with-the choicest selection Of sill.
yer lace.
Brother gaxed at Bethlia with wor-
shipping eyes as she led the way into
the parlor. He was the last arrival.
Ia nhc asNdn vsyfth
several Of the slightly pretty girls who
deigned to become his partner. How
evera his eyes ever roved around to
discover the exact location of his host
ess.
Finally he became desperate and. ap-
preaching Bethlia. asked huskily !:
.Bethlia. may-may I have this
6ance2"
Bethlia thought very apollo
gstically. I'm SO sorry. I have the
next ones taken. Later In the evening
I win be free.s
Brother sighed and asked some one
named Ruth to. pick up his discarded
offer. In the midst Of their dancing
Ruth giggled. "You're Q funny boy.
Red-headw
"Huh1" Brother miscalculated his
distance and trippsd over his fail. part
ner's slipper.
ut made me laugh awful hard" con-
tinued Ruth. "There was Beth wear
ing a pink dress and you with your
Naming hair come and ask her 20
dance. Didn't you know Beth has such
nne senses that that wouldn't do at all !
Anyway, she told me she doesn't like
red HART"
Brother stopped short. sIs that
truef"
Ruth nodded her head seriously.
sDon't tell but her partner had de-
serted her In the middle Of the floor ia
disappear into the poolroom, whore his
face scorched and burned unheeded.
Ruth angered, followed him TO hid
lair. "What do you mean by leaving
meY' she began. assuming the attitude
Of an attacking tigress.
"Shut upy shouted Brother. impo'
litely, as he picked up cue and aimed
Il threateningly at her.
Ruth retreated hastily.
A little later Bethlia. coming In IN
search Of her father. discovered Broth.
Or flung across the pool table. his form
notionless.
Brother! Harry There was In.
tense feeling In her voice 40 she shook
him roughly. 4.&4 -.
Brother raised his head. leave me
alone" he muttered thickiy. leave
me alone before your dress catches fire
and destroys your fine senses-get
out!'
"Harry =" exclaimed Bethlia. hurt
her pretty face working convulsively
"Don't you feel well7'
Brother shook her slender white
hands from his shoulders as he burst
ont: "Can't you leave me alone3 You'll
get burnt! You'll get burnt! Bahr
All his feelings we're given vent In that
one word. ''bah!" after which he huns
himself from the room and the house
The next morping Mary carried ny
an envelope, sweetly scented with May
flower, before Brother had got out Of
bed. She smiled slyly. "Can't guess
who brought this"
TO her acute establishment, Brother
matched the envelope from her hand
and growled. "Get out !" Mary went
stricken dumb.
'sDear Harry" (read the message)
II was puzzled over your behavior last
night until Ruth told me about the joke
shc played on you. Believe me. Harry
was hurt because you left without
giving me one dance. Please consider
this AN apology for my seeming cool
ness. a "Bethlia."
Half an hour later Brother had burst
into the Markham residence. A few
minutes later he was In the parloE. or
the couch, beside Bethlia.
His eyes were eloquent.
"You didn't think that about nay
Aairf"
i NO." answered Bsthlia, quietly. '
"You meant every word you wrote II
that letter. r.
EYES," Her voice was not quite q
steady.
Suddenly. nerhaps NJ the DOignancy