Smyrna times., 1926-08-11
That Flapper
Trick
By II. LOUIS RAYBoLD


Then her eyes Travelled over the au.
dience of well-dressed women and
lighted finally on a number of young
girls in the second row.
Mrs. Parmly had never quite de-
cided whether they had elected the
clubs extension course out of sheer
deviltry or just because Thursday
afternoons from two to four offered
nothing else. The first reason sound.
ed rather absurd even to a woman who
took herself seriously, but such queer
things had happened this season!
And there was the day that the
stereopticon slides got mixed. That
might readily occur. Yet 1t was most
disconcerting when the author of
Unknown Wilds" announced that she
had some scenes of nature at her
grandest to have thrown on the screen
photograph of the church choir pic.
nicking in Birch grove.
And what a nuisance they were
these young creatures, especially dur
ing the social hour which followed the
lecture - ...seY4s- X sgas; aas al g.
With some satisfaction, the presi-
dent noticed that Gloria Trowbridge
was absent. At any rate, she would be
spared, as she sat In her chair behind
the rostrum, the sight of Gloria's
fathomless brown eyes uplifted guile
lesSly and certain, sooner or later, to
draw the lecturers own gaze and hold
1t.
Thankful for so much, Mrs. Parmly
arose once again to suggest patience.
Then she saw the flamingo man COM
Ing 10 hurriedly from the outer hall
and descended to greet him. She
thought he seemed fiustered but at
tributed II to his fear and worry of
being late.
In a moment he was deep in his
subject and Mrs. Parmly settled back
to an hour of quiet intellectual enjoy
ment. Even as she was in the act of
folding her lorgnette she saw that
Gloria TrOwbridge must have slipped
in while she was occupied with Mr.
Lorimer. For there she was, slim,
arms folded, bobbed head thrown back,
soft eyes upraised. Nor did she bulge
for nearly an hour and Mrs. Parmly
wondered cynically whether her at
tention was given to the famingo or
to the man.
And, as inevitably as always, ar
rived that moment when the speaker
appeared to be addressing his remarks
to Gloria alone. "She fascinates them
as a snake does a bird" said Mrs.
Parmly to herself.
Came the moment when Paul Lori
mer reached his conclusion and sat
down amid a dignified clapping of
gloved hands. There was an announce
ment or two by the president and the
meeting thereupon went over to the re-
ception committee.
Several of the prominent members
had had their opportunity to meet the
speaker when Mrs. Parmly felt a
touch on her arm.
May be presented?" a soft voice
asked demurely.
Mrs. Parmly felt a desire to pinch
he slender hand but murmured sweet
", "Of course, DEAR" and turned to
made the Introduction.
To her establishment, Glorias slim
hand shot out and grasped the mans
with a comradely grip. You certainly
know a whole lot more, Mr.. Lortmer,
about f1amingos." she grinned. 'than
you do about vacuum tanks!''
They both laughed merrily.
You'll let me take you homer The
young man-and he was young for all
his eruditiOn-seemed really concerned
about her answer.
"Well-" hesitated Gloria, NOW that
we've met properly. / suppose it would
be all right You're sure" and she
turned to the stunned Mrs. Parmly
that he's a safe person for trust
ing young girl to drive withT'
Again they both laughed as two who
shared a delicious secret.
Mrs. Parmly heard all about 1t later.
How the eminent Paul Lorimer on his
way home from Manchester to the
Peterburg Woman's club had come
upon a car drawn up by the road with
a stunningly good-looking girl hanging
over the engine. OF course. they had
arrived at the same decision-namely,
that he should drive her to q garage
where a mechanic would be sent out
to discover the remedy and repair 1t.
Sounds like a broken spring In the
vacuum tank" said the garage man,
and Gloria had agreed vaguely that
that was probably 1t.
Anyhow. Mr.. Paul Lorimer had
driven her on to the club and neither
one had found the trip long nor regret
ted the chance which had brought 1t
about.
But Mrs. Parmly, when the friend
who had told her the story was
through, said nothing for fully min
ute. Then with careful deliberation,
she made her comment.
Nothing, my dear will ever con-
vince me that Gloria Trowbridge, who
knew that Paul Lorimer had a sum-
mer home in Manchester, did not drive