The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-30
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES:
Little WallhOWer
Is Winner
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By JANE OSBORN

down at the dancers, listening to
the enchanting music, now and
| then waving a hand to some friend
who saw her on her perch-alone-
! unattended. Her throat swelled
with a suppressed sob even while
she managed a gay smile and the
debonair wave of her hand. Her
sister Violet was always surround
ed by three or four nice youths
| but of course vi was perfectly fas-
cinating. She was the pet of the
stag line and never got more than
two words with any lad before an
other cut in-and there was that
gorgeous Phil Gordon, so dark and
handsome, sighed sixteen-year-old
Phoebe. How she wished that he
would dance with her.
Mrs. Larimer, passing slowly
through the rooms, saw her oldest
daughter surrounded by admirers
and dismissed vi from her busy
mind. She did not see Phoebe, and
imagined her youngest fitting some
where among the guests. Marcus"
she asked her husband, "have you
seen Phoebe?"
somewhere about danced with
her once, and left her sitting on the
stairs-she's having a good time"
he added in a harassed tone as he
moved toward a neglected elderly
guest.
SO young Phoebe was quite for
gotten. Not entirely forgotten, for
Phil Gordon had discovered her and.
feeling sorry for the attractive lit
tie kid and veXed with the per
feet Violet for not sharing the ad-
mirers with her young sister. Phil
ran upstairs and sat down beside
the solitary girl.
Il hope you don't mind" his
white teeth flashed a kind smile
down at her.
"No-no, indeed" fluttered Phoe-
be. IT'S cooler up here, don't you
think?"
Coolest place in the house, Miss
Phoebe. Suppose we have our sup
per up here"
'That will be lovely" Phoebe col
Ored rosily. 81 thOught-that you
always took vi to supper" she add
ed. doubtfully.
Phil suppressed a smile. wi and
l have not discussed that this eve
ming" he said gravely. "It was so
nice of you to think of her first"
he said, with keen side glance.
1T is so horrid to be left out of
things-but of course vi never
would. There would always be
some one around"
That's the trouble" he began,
and then stopped suddenly and
frOwned. Lets dance, shall we?"
Phoebe arose and laid a slim
hand on his sleeve. Suddenly she
flung her head up and said proud
ly: 81 was sitting there because l
was lOnely-no one asked me to
dance-I tried to see that some of
our guests were being entertained,
but, somehow, all of them knew
everybody else better than l did |
am just home from school. Mother
and dad were busy enough and
then l just couldn't stand it and
came up here to sulk! You'll prob
ably get awfully stuck with me. ~
She smiled adOrably.
"You cannot scare me that way"
he averred and offered his arm.
The music was just starting and
they fell into step with the
rhythm. People stared after young
Phoebe as she went light as thistle
down. Phil Gordon, who hated to
dance, but wanted to do his duty,
decided that dancing with Phoebe
was rather pleasant after all. vi
was so small that she had to be
held up, almost, but young Phoebe
Of the sunny hair and the daffodil
frock was just right.
''It has been lovely" sighed
Phoebe as he left her on the stairs
and hurried away after a tray of
refreshments.
Lovely for me, too," he said en-
phatically.
Violet, at the head of the stairs,
tripped down to her sister. 81 was
wondering where Phil was!" she
laughed gayly. "And he was with
you after ALL"
81 think he was sorry for me-"
comfOrted Phoebe.
II forgot all about you, hon." said
careless vi. "Are you and Phil hav-
ing supper tOgether?"
"Yes." admitted the wallflOwer
guiltily.
Here's a secret" whispered vi,
holding out her left hand where a
great diamond sparkled. Break
the news to Phil, that's dear"
"Vi, darling, who is it,"
Robert Garth-he is simply won
derful!" And happy vi, having
made her choice at last. was kissed
by her sister and drifted away so
that Robert might find her.
When Phoebe delicately, and
pityingly, broke the news to Phil
that gentleman looked startled for
an instant, and then looked gravely
at the fair sweet face upturned to
his.
"If | had heard that news three
hours ago | would have cared
now it doesn't matter to me except
that they are happy. Some day,
Phoebe my sweetheart, | will tell
you why l have changed so sudden
ly," he said.
But Phoebe was so happy for
months afterward that she forgot
to ask him the question until their