Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1900-10-04
Minute. Goodbye. Mr.. Gilstead,'.

1t must be! But our talk isn't a fln-
ished. I wanted to say"
Enid Moore pressed his hand and fed.
Gilstead walked home-a prey to the
most novel emotions. The intense glow
~pervading his being informed him that
the border-line between love and
friendship had been crossed. Ends
face, wreathed in her own sweet hair.
lowered before him.
Why had he not spoken? Alack, he
had not grasped in time the meaning of
his feelingsi He was vastly annoyed
with himself for missing so splendid an
opportunity.
All that night Enid thought of one
person., and one alone. His eyes, his
mouth, even the precise curl of his
moustache, fixed themselves in her
memory. She had TREMENDOUSLY talked
Of the subject with other girls. Now
she herself was in love.
| They might not meet again for a
week. How relieve their -unexpressed
emotions?
Well, both were persons Of literary
| and artistic instinct, and they flew to
| pen and paper. That night two new
poets, each that the other was
! present in spirit, haunted the lower
slopes of Parnassus.
The editor of that popular period
1So1s Il L 0Cl 60 IAo ~
loaded desk, considering manuscripts.
It was a wearisome task. but then he
was a conscientious man, and did his
best to examine all matter submitted.
At least, that was what the editorial
"notice to contributors" promised.
To-day there was a plethora or
poems. They always came, like mea-
sles, in the spring. What was this!
ITO BERTHE" He read it through. Very
| sincere, very touching but wholly ANA
| flourish. The editor glanced at the
writer's name Enid Moore and
threw the offering into the ito be re-
turned basket.
He took up the next manuscript in
order-another poem. ITO Enid"
Strange coincidence of names. He
| turned to the signature and started.
"Bertie Gilstead." The editor chuckled.
In the prosaic course of business he
had alighted on a charming little ro-
! nance.
How delightful to print the two
poems in tell-tale conjunction in a COM
ing issue of "The Penman."
1t would be quite a mistake, of
! course; certainly not of purpos OF
forethought. He did not know the par
ties concerned any more than the man
in the moon. And what fun it would
be to their friends; how they would
chaff the amorous pair. But then it
struck him suddenly that two hearts
that beat as one were serious possess
si0ns-sacred possessions-to their own
ers; that even friendly jokes might
stab them like knives. Above all, it
wouldn't be 1.-The thing" to do; and
then the poems-drivelling sentiment
badly expressed.
should not have a little fun on his own
account; so with a sly smile he DELHI
erately changed the manuscripts. Ber-
ties effusion went back in Enid
Moore's envelope, hers was returned il
his.
"Only a wretched ~return!" muttered
BERTHE Gilstead, and he threw the long
envelope unopened aside.
Enid was a girl and she opened hers,
D. lump rising in her throat. To think
hat the lines which had seemed SO
wonderful, and mad cost her SO much.
! should meet with this callous refusal
First she read the printed notice.
The Editor regrets that he cannot ac-
,ept the enclosed contribution, for the
offer of which he is much obliged"
Hard. cruel man, not to add even one
3encilled word of commendation.
Then she slowly and sadly unrolled
he manuscript.
Some mistake! InlS was mol uStS!
ITO Enid Surely she knew the hand
writing! Why, it was signed "Bertie
Silstead."
A minute later the manuscript rolled
10 the ground, and Enid subsidized into
l chair fairly frantic with excitement
That Saturday afternoon Gilstead
was the first embe to reach the ter
MS field. He began 10 amUse himself
oy knocking a ball with astray golf stick.
"Mr. G~ilstead!"
Don't bother, please! sixty-sixty-
one-sixty-two!"
81 have something TO give you"
Gilstead recognized the voice, anG,
careless of achieving a record, let the
ball go.
81 beg your pardco. I didn't see it
was you, Miss Moore"
She stood before l,i1n IL a white dress
"a dainty and bev'!.: Ming fg'12. a BIT
of heaven transported to earth.
s"This is your property, I think. The
editor of The Pennnan'--areieSs mar
has returned it to ne by mistake"
He took the envelope she was hold.
ing out, and wonderingly abstracte6
the contents.
"Ah!"
cit is yours, isn't ft?"
. He had gone crimson.
, 'Ye-esi You have read it,"
: SCI did just glance over the first few
: lines"
: "You guessed-er-what they mean?'
ct couldn't help guessing"
, Enid l." and he took her hand.
That afternoon "The GrasshopperS'
> announced with great gusto and SOM
. yalnglory the engagement Of two mol
members of their club.
e Common Things.
q