The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-04-18
1.-THE BEST
LAID PLANS"
By ROBERT CARLTON BROWN.

Georges heart gave another violent
| thump as he stood on the platform
waiting for the last morning express
There she was again. Who could
she be? For weeks George had no
ticed the trim young woman in the
brown tailor made suit. They usually
caught the same train and George
usually sat near her and watched her
over the top of his paper
Falling in love was not an every
day affair with George Vincent, as II
is with many young fellows. 1t was
an event to him He could think OF
nothing else but that trim little
woman.
To think that she went to work
daily with all those gruff, boorish bust
ness men. The thought panied the
sensitive young fellow. He blushed
at his hope that some time she would
not have to go to work daily.
Soon he found himself going further
in this line of thought and picturing
his departure in the morning leaving
her behind to welcome him on his re-
turn in the evening. Each time these
pictures required in his mind there
were Celebrations, and then new pic
lures would suggest themselves.
Day by day his feelings grew. He
prayed for an introduction to her. He
could think of nothing else but the
joy Of meeting her. How he would
pour out his soul to her and tell her
of his longing. 1t might not be con
ventional to do all this at the first
meeting, but in love there is no con-
ventionalities. She would be over
whelmed with his great love, and she
would listen, and, perhaps, in time
but then George dared not let himself
think further on the subject.
1t all depended on that first meet
ing. He must impress her with his
sincerity; he must make an impress
sion upon her and at least obtain the
privilege of calling upon her
Constantly he was on the qui vive
for a chance to meet her. He asked
all his friends if they knew her, but
none of them could give him any sat
isfaction. No one seemed to know
her.
Poor Vincent Nany times was
tempted to introduce himself, but she
was reserved looking little woman
and il might spoil his chances The
risk was too great to run. so George
sat signing in the car, with his eyes
fixed upon her.
One night he attended a large Ma
sonic dance. There We're hundreds of
strange faces; he peered into them all
anxiously, ever hoping.
While searching one small group he
suddenly realized that he had at last
found her The thought staggered
him. At last he was to meet her
and tell her all.
Feverishly he hunted up a man who
knew her and was introduced.
Trembling with emotion he asked
if he might have dance. She hand
ed him her programme in answer, and
he took dance and the extra follow
ing it.
Then, half delirious with joy, he
rushed into the smoking room and
consumed innumerabe cigarettes, in
an effort to calm himself while wait
ing. The intervening dances seemed
unending
With great excitement he approach.
ed her when his dance came She
smiled pleasantly and the two waltz
nI n % hNrth of hDt
dance was Intoxicating to poor George
He hardly knew what he was saying
when the dance was finally over, and
he told her it was much cooler on
the veranda.
They walked out on the club porch
together and made for a couple of
chairs at one end.
AS soon as George realized that
they were alone, he burst out wildly
The time had come to tell her of his
great love.
Il have long waited for this chance"
he breathed hotly 1T has kept me
alive for the last month. | have so
wanted to see you. Every day that |
more anxious to know you"
"Yes-yes," she encouraged him, as
he faltered In his speech.
Il love you. Il love you more
than"
oh she cried, starting from her
chair, quickly.
"Don't-don't leave me-" he broke
out wildly. II am mad with my love
Dont-dont leave me. Stay-stay
and hear the rest"
20, can't" she gasped, starting for
the door.
"Why-why can't you let me ex.
plain?" poor Vincent spluttered.
'Why-why, you see, I'm engaged
and he might not like it" the girl re-
piled