The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-13
Our Short Story.
THE WORRALLS.

Bennett had been on his way out OF the
l. Academy OF Design when, on the steps,
his friend. Mrs. Crane, had unexpectedly
ponped I'D and exclaimed, "Ah here you
are You'll just do"
There was nothing unusual in Bet
nett's being there, but Mrs. Grams sud
den appearance in the dusk of the late
afternoon was a surprise to him. lie
being an art student. might be looked for
thereabouts, any day; but Mrs. Crane
was not an art student. and he did not
know that she had come back to New
York even.
''You will do 10 take Miss Worrall
home" said Mrs. Crane. This IS Miss
Worrall. Not that 1 want TO get rid OF
her by any means, let me tell you, but
Il has got SO tate. and / have to run over
to Fourteenth street. So you will escort
Miss Worrall home-to Harlem-won'
your"
or course Bennett was much fattered
at Mrs. Cranes confidence that he would
do" as an escort. But that was not all
He recognized I'm this Miss WorraH a
young woman Of who-a he had caught
two glimpses that afternoon, and both
glimpses had told him that she was an
Exceptionally attractive young woman
TO the artistic eve. lie had not seen Mrs.
Crane with her-had not known that Mrs.
Crane was visiting the exhibition OF pho
tographs that afternoon--and had had no
definite hope OF ever getting any nearer
10 this particular vision of fresh young
loveliness than he had been when she
brushed by him, passing in the crowd
from one room. where he stood by door.
TO another That was why this sudden
Interference OF Providence and Mrs.
Crane in his favor delighted him so
keenly.
"Awfully sorry not TO have you with
US. Mrs. Crane he said, but only too
delighted to have the honor And his
manner showed his sincerity.
They got on very well together in the
thirty minutes Of the way out 20 Harlem.
She seemed a frank. unaffected sort OF
girl. besides being as pretty on closer
inspection as She had seemed in those
two casual glimpses.
BY the time they had reached Miss
Worralrs front door Bennett had found
himself deeply interested in her and all
her interests. He had not only listened
with polite complacency 10 all her Views
on art. about which ne. as an artist. real
" cared nothing, but had discovered That
his new beauty was n player OF golf In
summer and looked forward with keen
delight TO skating when the frost came.
"Then you must let me come and take
you to the lake VIII you?'
YES. II you like" said Miss WorraI
with queer smile. I'm glad you Ike
skating. Won't you let me see II mamma
is at home and introduce you? You can't
stay to supper? I'm so sorry?'
80 am l." said BENEFIT quite sincere
". "Its those horrible whites
I have TO 20 over tonight. I expect TO
eat my supper I'm a hurry in little res
taurant in the basement and then keep
working until midnight"
'"Too badr said the girl. you find art
a lard mistress, don't you?'
Everybody does"
Anyhow. you'll remember TO come and
take me skating at the first frost? BY
the way. I hope you know how to spell
my name-in case YOU have to send a
line about the skating?'
your name? Oh, yes. Is 1t W-u-r-i or
W-i-r-l?"
Neither. 7 knew you would make mat
mistake. It's pronounced to rhyme with
girl but we spell Il W-o-r-r-a-lL'
Thanks. I won't forget. My name Is
absurdy common by contrast-piain
Bennett. Good night" j. ..-.'