own age." "Cradle-snatcher," was the final sting that sent the
angry blood into Saxon's cheeks as the two girls moved away,
unaware that they had been overheard.

Billy saw her home, kissed her at the gate, and got her consent
to go with him to the dance at Germania Hall on Friday night.

"I wasn't thinkin' of goin'," he sald. "But if you'll say the
word . . . Bert's goin' to be there."

Next day, at the ironing boards, Mary told her that she and Bert
were dated for Germania Hall.

"Are you goin'?" Mary asked.

Saxon nodded.

"Billy Roberts?"

The nod was repeated, and Mary, with suspended iron, gave her a
long and curions look.

"Say, an' what if Charley Long butts in?"

Saxon shrugged her shoulders.

They ironed swiftly and silently for a quarter of an hour.

"Well," Mary decided, "if he does butt in maybe he'll get his.
I'd like to see him get it--the big stiff! It all depends how