The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1908-10-15
A Question
Of Height
ByR. PhIIIIps.

what a tall girl you arel"
Prentiss bit his lip on the ARE"
but nevertheless the words had es-
capped and the embarrassment of such
a remark following close upon an in-
PRODUCTION brought an unwonted flush
to his brown cheeks.
But the girl on the opposite side Of
the fragrant flower hedge only laughed
lightly.
Since time was, It seemed. Prentiss
had heard of and expected to meet
Erma Lane She had been a chum OF
his sisters at college. But said sis
ter's descriptions we're Of the print
tive order. so she had perslstently re-
ferred to Erma Lane as "awfully pref
ty and frightfully dear" From this,
Prentlss had deducted enormously
that she was petite and merely pretty.
whereas the girl across the flower bar.
risr was tall and most rsvishingly
beautiful.
PrOntiss wOrshipsd the wonderful
lovsliness. hut was disappointed In
finding the long anticipated Miss Lane
80 tall He wanted to fall in love with
her, but height forbade. For years
he had dreamed Of a "ouddly" sweet
heart. Therefore. he strolled home
ward through the summer twilight
rather disillusloned man.
"On the golf links and the tennis
courts that girl is grace itself As a
dancer she's perfection. She's unuau-
ally tall, but she can be cute, which ls
rare accomplishment for stately
damsels. II she'd only have me--but
she won't"
Tom Morrison finished with a gusty
sigh, and the other men on the club
veranda laughed. No one ever took
Morrison seriously--except himself.
"Of course you refer to Erma Lane.
She's the sweetest girl around these
parts, and that's a fact"
Laurence Prentiss suddenly sat up
and took notice. He had rather avoid
ed Miss Lane for the somewhat fool
ish reason Of her height. With swift
resolution, he tossed aside his rack
ct. abandoned the cooling drink at his
elbow, and made most decided tracks
for the Lane summer home.
Erma was curled up in a hammock
and Prentlss ADMITTED that cute"
might apply to the fun OF beautifully
white lingerie gown and artistically
tumbled red gold hair She waved a
slender hand in greeting.
Excuse my laziness, Mr.. PrentiSs.
Have a chair and fan"
Prosaic words they were. but to the
lit of them Prentiss willingly finished
falling in love with "the tall Miss
Lane"
His path was not a bed of roses
or, rather. they were thorny ones. Des-
peratlon finally drove him to calling
again in the midst of rather terrific
thunder storm. After seeming hours
Of waiting. "the goddess" as he pri-
vately called her. appeared in the
doorway
I'm glad to see you, Mr. Prentiss,
but how could you venture out ia this
frightful Storm
II wanted TO see you" announced
Prentiss, whose eyes had do or dare
expression totally at variance with the
individuality Of proposing during a
battle Of the elements.
Weren't you rather foolish? You
might have been struck. Oh! it's 60
ing TO DO It again"
There was a warning flash, and Miss
Lane covered down in a huge arm
chair much as II she were frightened
girl covering her Oars with her
hands.
There were a succession Of binding
flashes and thuRdarous crashes, and
when there was a lull In the heaven
ly artillery Miss Lane discovered a
pair OF very strong arms about her and
masculine lips we're whispering:
There. there. darling; don't be fright
ened. I'll take care OF you"
Miss Lane sought to escape. though
the refuge was welcome for two rea-
sons-the lightning and the old, old
one of love.
''Ermal Erma! Don't go awayl I
love you'll"
'And land +"
Her eyes told the rest. Their lips
met at the beginning Of the next fash,
but neither noted it. In loves para
disc the sky is always smiling, so
therefore a miracle! Erma forgot the
lightning.
And then. another miracle! Prem
tiss, gathering her closer in his arms.
my darling little girlie!"
For he had found his "cuddly sweet
leart!"