Show It was the night of the Kirmess The stately old college building was completely completely completely com com- transformed Gay festoons of bunting hung from the chandeliers The walls flashed with brilliant colors and the gorgeous draperies of the booths shone with splendor under the bright lights Hither and thither through the confusion of color and gayety the crowd throbbed to the spirit of the music Around the booths the surging mass swayed and struggled and pushed in its eagerness to get up to the counters where girls booth-girls gowned in rich and gorgeous colors dropped coin upon coin in hot succession into sparkling tin cups Every moment was passing with a hum of vivacity and enjoyment But the great event of the evening was yet to come It was on lips Who among all this crowd would carry off the honors of the beauty contest Down Downin in one end of the hall with theother the theother other booths going away from it to theother theother the theother other sides was Loll Easton's booth for although the school-girls school had grumbled about giving it to her II because she was was was- with a shrug of their shoulders ders her ders-her her well known ease on important occasions secured for her the most prominent prominent prominent prom prom- place in the room Her booth was attractive in its simplicity It had no gorgeous color scheme nor did it represent represent represent re re- present the home of an Icelander or Indian or Turk Loll called it a modern booth where waist shirt-waist girls can buy neckties by the dozens II and behind the counter standing in her white gown trimmed with ruffles ruffles ruffles ruf ruf- fles and lace she sold such things to tos s 1 the great crowd that lingered so long before her All at once a burst of excitement rushed over the crowd followed immediately immediately imme imme- by a lull of stillness Over in a corner the people could see Mr James and his two judges co-judges Mr Halverson and Mr Symore talking together Mr J James ames was leaning forward speaking earnestly Symore nodded but Halverson Halver Halver- son shook his head The interest of the crowd grew intense The booths were deserted and the people pressed eagerly forward orward in the direction of the men Suddenly Suddenly Suddenly Sud Sud- denly Mr Halverson jumped up Paul called Laura from her booth where she was left all alone II the the judges are going to announce their decision Shall we stay in here Its It's so much cooler and we can hear just as welland welland well well well- and Im I'm so tired Ladies and gentlemen II shouted Mr Halverson I I want to ask a question The judges are not certain what they are areto areto areto to do Are the young ladies who preside preside pre pre- preside side over the booths in the contest A momentary burst of laughter came from the crowd Some student shouted shouted- II Yes Every lady present II The people strained with interest pressed close to the judges' judges corner and Paul and Laura were left way behind in inthE inthe inthe the booth with the clear light shining down upon them Judge Halverson rose The silence was intense Ladies and Gentlemen the judges have come to a decision He spoke of the honor they felt at being called to take part in such a successful affair affair of of the gayety and brilliancy and beauty there was present He said he did not think he had ever been anywhere anywhere anywhere any any- where when there were so many beautiful beautiful beautiful ful women and girls Finally when the crowd could hardly restrain its eagerness J j i 1 f m. m I p f. f Vo f A id I i ii 1 t and impatience he came to the climax of his speech I have now he said so slowly someone someone someone some some- one in the crowd groaned I I have now the honor to announce the winner of this contest It is Miss Laura Easton With a low Jaw whistle Paul grasped Lauras Laura's hand as the bewildered girl shrank behind the draperies Loll was all he said but it meant all he felt Like a frightened child Loll turned and fled through a door in the back of her booth with Paul close behind her before the noisy shouting crowd had time to turn With her mouth set and her eyes staring straight before her Loll hurried down the stairs and into the cloak room As Paul closed the door she turned on him sharply Did he mean me Is it true Dont Don't you know Im I'm the Ugh the Ugh It was the echo of the word she had heard in the waiting t Did he mean you Well I guess yes Why Loll you ought to see yourself yourself your your- fir self You Why youre you're youre you're-you're- youre you're fine and pushing Loll gently into a 7 chair Paul aul turned to search for her wraps M Mab ab I Wallace |