The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-17
DAILY SHORT
STORY
The. GIRL IN THE

H. WI WI
- Arch Morgan, civil engineer, reat
the telegram he held in his hand
| through the second time. He ould
not have desired better offer in
some respects, but when he real
ized That it meant an absence of a
year he hesitated. That might ruin
his chance of winning Lucille Yves
ton, He was not certain that she
cared that much for him, but he
felt that in a short time he would
make the test.
Accustomed to thinking rapidly,
he decided to find Miss Weston, tell
her of his love and ask her if she
would wait a year until he could
return from foreign land and
claim her as his bride. Even now
there was less than two hours until
the hour of departure.
He caught car and was soon at
the fashionable Weston home. He
had not taken time to notify the
young woman of his visit, and he
quickly found that she was not at
home. From Mrs. Weston he learn
ed Lucille had gone to the theater
with Morton Walford, the one rival
he had reason to fear.
Determined to seize even the linn
tied opportunity afforded he start
ed for the Longman theater. When
he arrived there he found he had
but 20 minutes to locate the young
woman, make known his love, and
begin his voyage. From the en-
trance he could see her, sitting in
one of the lower front boxes, appar
emily engrossed in the play. To
reach her without attracting the at
tention of everyone in the house
was out of the question, and he had
no desire to make the affair con
spicuous. In the midst of his per
plexity an idea flashed through his
mind like an inspiration. He had
taught her the sign language of the
deaf-mutes and they had used il
more than once for the exchanges
of little condolences in the presence
of others. If he could secure a
place where he could attract her
attention, he could at least be sure
of making known his affection. No
tfcing that the box just opposite
the one she occupied was vacant
he obtained a seat in it, and began
10 look at her fixedly
I In a moment she turned toward
him with a glance of dispieasure
Then. with a smile of recognition
she started to turn again toward
| the stage, when the movements OF
his right hand caught her eyes
Listen" the man spelled, rapidly
Forgetting he was using merely a
sign language. Shielding his hand
as much as possible with pro
gram so that he might prevent
others from seeing what he was
doing. he began to spell out sen.
fences.
"In Is minutes" he spelled, 81
am sailing for South America. to be
gone a year. Received telegram
tonight. Offering me good job
At that moment Miss Weston's
escort said something to her and
she glanced away for second. AL
most Immediately, however. she
again turned her eyes toward Nor
gan. surprise showing clearly on
the face.
Il love YOU" the hand told her.
'1f your heart tells you that you
love me, will be the happiest man
in the world. When | return, at the
end of the year. | will be ready to
provide cosy home for you.
Once more Morton Walford spoke
to Miss Weston. and seemed sur
prised when she manifested no in
terest in what he said. With a puz-
zled expression he turned away and
gave his attention wholly to the
play. No sooner had he done Sc
than the young woman again faced
the man in the opposite box.
Twill you give me your prom
ise?" motioned the hand, the look
of eager expectancy in Morgan's
eyes clearly apparent to the WON
an who was watching every move
ment.
For almost minute she sat alb
solutely motionless, then her right
hand began to move nervously. but
spelled no word. Slowly q fash
mantled her cheeks. and her eyes
frightened. Her lips, moving as II
to speak. she caught herself. and
rapidly spelled the words:
Yes. GOodby dear. Write often.