Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-11-06
How WenZell
Made Good.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.


The city boarder sat on the red
plush sofa and looked at picture postal
cards with Ann Rose. He was well
dressed youth, with gorgeous hosiery
displayed above his low cut shoes. His
face was ordinary and notable merely
for its shrewdness and frequent dis
play of gold filled teeth. Ann Rose ad-
mired him greatly. His position In a
city bank and his undoubted respec-
liability had much to do with his en-
trance into the Baker homestead.
Ann Rose Baker and Chester Laid
law glggled over the postal cards until
Wenzell Beebe slid awkwardly into the
back parlor and sat down beside Mrs.
Baker, who nodded kindly at him.
"How's your mar" she asked.
shes all right" replied Wenzell,
his sunburned face turning deeper
redI He was conscious that the city
boarder was discussing him with Ann
Rose, and her light laugh, instantly
suppressed, rendered him still more
uncomfortable.
you know Mr.. LaidlawT whis-
pered Mrs. Baker.
Wenzell nodded. II met him here
the other night"
He's awful smart. He's in a bank"
said Mrs. Baker importantly.
Wenzell did not reply. He was try
Ing to keep his eyes from the couple on
the sofa In the other room.
Ann Rose was watching him covert
ly. She noted the new suit of gray
clothes, the light blue satin necktle
and his large brown hands. Her
glance wandered to the youth at her
side, with his air Of easy assurance,
and down at his slim white hands play
ing with the postals. She twisted
Wenzell's little turquoise ring from
the third finger of her left hand and
transferred 1t to the other hand. Then
she flew over to the plano and ratified
the keys noisily.
Come, sing something, Mr.. Laid
law" she suggested gayly.
Mr.. Laidlaw was pleased to sing, and
he and Ann Rose turned the pages Of
book of old love songs. and when
their voices blended In unison Wen
zell's hands tightly clinched the sides
OF his chair and his lips whltened.
81 come to take Ann Rose out rid
ing" he said sullenly to his future
mother-in-law.
Mrs. Baker glanced apprehensiyely
ut him over her spectacles. "Ann
Rose, here's Wenzell Asserting here
waiting for you to 20 riding with him"
she called
The music ceased abruptly, and Ann
Rose appeared In the doorway, de-
mureIy pretty I'm her white dress. with
n half blown rose In her dark hair
The boarder lounged behind her
~ saw YOU come I'm. Wenzell, but |
forgot nil about YOU" she said, with a
coouettish glance at Mr.. LnidIaw. T'Il
be ready I'm n minute"
Wenzeu Beebe nodded awkwardIy at
the boarder and. linking his hat. went
out Of fine aide door TO the shed where
be Ind fled bis horse. He backed the
buggy into the driveway and waited
natIentIy until Ann Rose came re.
iuctantly out. Silently he assisted her
to tbe sent md iumned in beside her
The bIe black horse carried them cas-.
iIv out OF the ward and into n green
shaded road. where the setting sun
poured Sitting golden streams through
tho branches When they reached a
rise of ground Wenzell pointed with
bia wbIn IN the horizon where n low
rim of black clouds stained the yellow
light
"RaIn tonight" he said. speaking for
the first time.
81 euess pa,s hay III yet wet. then.
He's over TO town. and he didn't get IL
nil in" said Ann Rose lazlly. She was
tbinkjng of what Chester IaIdlaw had
said about her eyes, and at that In
slant they were very bright.
"Where's YOUR rlngY' asked Wen
zell suddenly.
She glanced guilty down at her left
hand ana then extended the other with
n sbamefaced smile 81 changed II
for fun" she faltered.
"Then you amt ashamed OF ItT"
asked WenzeIl slowly. and ns she made
no reply he added. with a furtlye
glance at Ann Rose: II reckon that
Laidlaw fellow could hand out dIa-
monds and such They say he's n
spender.
Ann Rose shrugged her shoulders
pettisbly. her dark eyes seeking new
" built cottage that crowned n little
eminence.
"I Thought mayba you'd Ike to look