Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1910-07-08
THE GIRL HE
WANTED to MEET


her nephew's arm, and looked fondly
into his face. Cyril tossed his cigar
cite into the CRATE and rose, stretch
ing his long arms above his head. The
corners Of his mouth twitched as he
surveyed his aunt with twinkling eyes.
Dear, foolish matchmaker, regret
that shall be out Of town"
Now, Cyril, that is just an excuse"
she pleaded.
He stared a moment into the fire,
his face settling in sterner lines, the
fun dying out OF his eyes.
They are all alike, auntie, those
girls, and ! am tired of meeting them.
The girl want to meet is-well, new
er mind. It is not Miss Collins"
but you have never seen her,
Cyril?"
81 know, I know" impatiently. but
I have heard OF her, rich, petted,
spoiled"
"The girl he wanted to meet" His
words came back TO him, as he swung
down the steps into the frosty night.
That afternoon he had been inveigled
into a studio tea, viewing the artists
display with indifferent eyes. Just as
he was leaving, he knocked a port
folio off the table, and sketch hut-
tered out, a sketch that arrested and
held his attention.
Il was only the head Of girl,
roughly done; but the expression OF
the eyes. the wistful turn Of the lips,
were caught, and portrayed with in
disputable excellence.
Fay Redeemed when questioned.
ooh, that, l don't know who that
is. | did it, ages ago"
The memory of the face still filled
Cyrips mind as he struck out across
the pavement. He felt the need OF air
after the oppressive warmth OF the
house. and turned absently in the OPP
posite direction from his rooms.
Half an hour later he brought up
with a start against pile of buildings
that interrupted his progress. On
either side rose gloomy tenements. He
had wandered into the settlement OF
Little Italy. He swung about, and
started TO retrace his steps, when
woman's voice startled his ears. IL
was muffed, but Enthusiastically ap-
pealing for help. In an alley that ran
at right angles with the street were
two figures; girl struggling in the
grasp Of man.
Cyril was upon them in a minute
and in another was bearing on the
girl. while the fellow, one of the low
est order, skunk away.
The girl paused under light to
straighten her hat, more properly
bonnet: one of the Salvation Army
sort. with modest strings under the
chin. She was out OF breath, but COM
posed. Her black gown outlined her
slim figure. Against her throat
cleaned a silver cross,
"You should not be here alone at
this hour of the night" began Cyril
and stopped. The eyes lifted to his
own sent the blood pounding through
his veins. The face OF the picture con-
fronted him; older, perhaps less gen.
tie, but the same face.
| 1T is all right" she answered. l
come and go in perfect safety. My
bonnet, and this, protects me-
She put her hand to the cross.
"It was Alamo, little the worse
for drink"
Her calm, sweet courage thrilled
his heart. He put out his hand and
drew her arm into his.
Nevertheless, it is risk, he said'
"T must see you home"
THAT is ALL" she said; Il take my
car here. Thank you very much Tor
your kindness"
Cyril. the fastidious. the fluent OF
speech. stood cropping for words.
"I cannot leave you here" he be-
gan.
~ take my car here" she answered
firmly.
u wonder II can see you again.
Cyril fioundered on.
A car had stopped by them. The
girl put one foot on the step anc
smiled at him over her shoulder.
Perhaps" she said. In ract,
shouldn't be at all surprised If you die
see ME again"
For the next few days Cyril haunt
ed Little Italy in his leisure hours
There were many pretty women ga!
with the eolors OF the old country
but no slim figure and sweet fac
framed in a shabby bonnet.
On Friday he took a run up 10 ni
aunt's. and remembered just as ne al
rived that Il was the time appointe'
10 meet Miss Collins. Before he coul'
retreat his aunt descended upon mn
and bore him, business suit ard al
into the library. A tall, stately gil
rose to meet him. superb In gown c
satin. The expression OF her race wa
I L COl0 ana ONN hSs - -
when they lighted on him. IL was IN
girl of Little Italy-the girl he "ah'e
to meet.
II was late In the evening Oeior
r they got a chance to talk.
n "And you are the cold. fastidiou
Miss Collins. he said.
She shrugged her shoulders an
smiled a trlfie bitterly.
e "If people knew" she answere
they would call II fad. and pictui
3 me charming daughter of the rio
among the slums."
5, "And you would have let me thin
d YOU the-the Miss Collins OF yo'
L reputation," he finished bravely,
She lifted her eyes to his, ana
'f her face was the gentle, wistful lot
II he had learned to love.
THAT" she said. 'fs diflerenL
r7n1.! 'V,6YS a1,H(,