The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1931-03-06
Pretty Little Phoebe
Finally Wins
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(Copyright.l
By JANE OSBORN

T WAS nice party, young Phoebe
/ conceded that as she sat alone on
the stairs looking wistfully down at
the dancers, listening to the enchant-
ing music now and then waving
hand TO some friend who saw her on
her h-al0ne-unattended Her
throat swelled with a suppressed sob
even while she managed gay smile
and the debonair wave Of her hand.
Her sister Violet was always sur
rounded by three of four nice youths
but of course VI was perfectly fascinat-
ing. She was the pet OF the stag line
and never got more than two words
with any lad before another 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
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 forgot
ten. Not entirely forgotten, for Phil
Gordon had discovered her and, feel
ing sorry for the attractive little "kid,"
and vexed with the" perfect Violet for
not sharing the admirers with her
young sister. Phil ran upstairs and
sat down beside the solitary girl.
II hope you don't mind" his white
teeth flashed a kind smile down at
her.
"No-no, indeed" fiuttered Phoebe
"It's cooler up here, don't you think 2"
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 al
ways took vi to supper" she added
dOubtfully.
Phil suppressed smile. "vi and
have not discussed that this evening""
he said gravely. "It was nice of you
to think OF her first" he said with a
keen side glance.
at 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 slim hand
on his sleeve. Suddenly she flung her
head up and said proudly: 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
did / am just home from school.
Mother and dad were busy enough and
then / just couldn't stand 1t and
came up here to sulk! You'll probably
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
yuh IN hut ox,k
ed to do his duty, decided that dane
ing 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.
1T has been lovely" sighed Phoebe
as he left her on the stairs and hur-
ried away after q tray of refresh
ments.
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-" COM
forted Phoebe.
II forgot all about you, hon." said
careless vi. "Are you and Phil hav.
ing supper together?"
"Yes," admitted the wallfsower
guiltily.
Here's secret" whispered vi, hold
ing out her left hand where q great
diamond sparkled. Break the news
to Phil, that's a dearp'
"Vf, 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 Rob-
ert might find her.
When Phoebe delicately, and pity
ingly, broke the news to Phil that
gentleman looked startled for an In
slant, and then looked gravely at the
fair sweet face upturned to his.
'If / had heard that news three
hours ago I would have cared-now 1t
doesn't matter to me except that they
are happy. Some day, Phoebe my
sweet 7 will foil you Uhv havo