society leaders of the town, though there was no elaborate social system.

A regular "Gibson girl," was Grace Ford, not only in form but in face.
There was that well-rounded chin, and the neck on which was poised a
head with a wonderful wealth of light hair. The other girls rather
envied Grace her hair--especially Mollie, who was a decided brunette.
And, as I have said, Grace dressed to advantage. There had been a time
when she bemoaned the fact that she was tall--"regular bean-pole" her
brother had taunted her with being--and Grace--well, she had slapped
him. But this was some years ago. But now, with the newer styles that
seem to forbid the existence of hips, and with skirts that so
circumscribe the steps that fast walking is impossible, Grace fitted in
perfectly. She was artistically tall and slender, which fact none knew
better than she herself.

But Grace was not vain. She did pose at times, but it was done naturally
and without undue thought. She just could not help it.

Her brother Will made no end of fun about her--even at this date, but
Grace had sufficient composure to ignore him now, and only smiled
sweetly, remarking:

"You only show how little you know, Billie-boy. Run along now and
play ball!"

Then Will, trying to think of some cutting thing to say, would hasten to
join his bosom friend Frank Haley, perhaps remarking as they tramped off:

"Hanged if I can understand girls anyhow."