The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-29
,05~5e=Ss 20
Our Daily Short Stories
HEIR SHATTERED ROMANCE
BY KENNETH f. HARRIS.
Copyright. 1901 by Authors Syndicate,

And how about your manner and
attitude?"
Il suppose it is natural that l should
feel the change in you. But l love
you"
That is the usual thing to say to
girls at summer resorts, isn't it?" she
asked, coldly, turning the little ring
around on her finger, particularly
when it is just a little schoolma' am
: who hasn't got anybody but an indig-
nant aunt to look after her and seems
to need the compassionate attention of
a dry goods clerk?'
The young man slipped off his pile
and took one or two quick strides in
front of her. II suppose you think
that taunt is generous" he said, stop
ping suddenly.
She laughed lightly "And now that
your hard earned vacation is over you
will return to your counter and seek
forgetfulness in then strenuous actlYl-
ties of commercial life?''
"And you will go back to your room
in the eighth grade and your dear lit
tie chubby faced, rosy-cheeked pupils,
who all love their dear teacher, be-
cause she loves them, you know. And
when you chalk up the divisions of wa
| ter on the blackboard you will think,
perhaps, of the Atlantic and of a man
who made a fool of himself over you
where it's raging pillows roar. By the
way, where is your school?"
What dry goods firm did you say
you worked for?' she returned. Dick
Mr.. Wilsey, you-you have been de-
| ceiving me. You know perfectly well
that you have"
HE colored a little under her d.
! rect gaze. What do you mean?" he
| demanded
Nothing" she replied, smiling, Eek
! cept that 1 had quite a confidential
/ chat with that lovely little freckle-
! faced boy at the farmhouse where you
are boarding, and he told me of the
( silver-mounted glories of your dress
| ing-oase and a few other things. and
/ noted that you threw the hack-driver
a dollar in very lordly and careless
way for poor dry goods clerk, con-
sidering that the fare was only ten
cents for each of US, and-oh, have
noted enough to convince me that you
are an impostor and that you have
been amusing yourself with the poor
little schoolma' am, and now you think
the affair has gone far enough-per-
hsps a little too far. You tell her
that you know she thinks she has made
a mistake. Well. the poor girl will
have to live it down. Goodby!"
She jumped down from her pile but
the man caught her by the hand and
detained her. The gloom had van
ished from his face, and the blue eyes
were dancing with compressed mirth.
Let me go, Mr.. Wilsey," she said,
with an effort at dignity.
I'm a moment" he replied. False
girl You thought to break country
! heart for pasture ere you went to town,
+ did you? Well I have been noting
some things, too. For instance, 1 noted
that as you passed the hotel yesterday
morning Mrs. Todhunter ran down and
! kissed you with effusion. She doesn't
effuse over Everybody. and them"
she is interested in me-" said the
I girl. 81 am an humble protege OF
hers
II know. And this humble protege
for all her Bingham frock wears Jou-
vim gloves and her boots"
The boot disappeared beneath the
Bingham skirt That's nothing" said
/ the girl IF you think school teach
err can't wear decent boots"
"And her hat has the august sig
nature of Louise, and the INDECENT
aunt says: Yes, miss, in private,
and"
You spy!" she cried. "And I be-
lieved in you until yesterday"
| And l thought you were genuine
| until yesterday"
That is why you have behaved so
Strangely"
yes. I thought you were heart
less trifer."
80 did I, Dick. didn't want you to
know 1 was rich. And I wanted to be
loved for myself alone"
The man looked around. The place
was fairly secluded, and there was no
one in sight.
But I'm awfully sorry to lose my
sweet little schoolma' am" said the
young man, as they walked back.
"And l." she answered, will never
find another dry goods clerk like my
poor Dick. There's no more romance
left in the world"