The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-10
The Wall Flower
By TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright, 1911. By Associated Literary Press

II love life better than I did when
was younger. Tonight I've been out
In the wind, walking up the beach
and felt strong enough to conquer the
world. Even in my most sanguine
boyhood days / never knew the same
sense Of absolute belief in my ability
TO make things come my way"
But you're a man." she said. "A
woman when she loses her first youth
and beauty must be content to be a
wall flower"
Come out" he said, impulsively,
"and walk with me up the beach. 1t
is glorious out; the wind is blowing,
and youll feel as II the world was
miles away, and that the people In II
were of little account in the sum Of
human happiness"
The moon shone between the rag
ged clouds, as, wrapped in a red cloak,
she went with him on their wild walk.
TITS glorious" she confessed, "and
I don't care tonight II am poor and
a wallnower, but IA the morning there
will be the awakening"
Il am poor, too" he said, "but for
me there will be no awakening, be-
cause all my life I've had riches and
all my life I've been bored The week
before I came down here learned
that / had lost everything. Everybody
thought that the blow would be crush
Ing but l have been surprised to find
that | do not care"
but you will care" she said, when
you have lived for a little while and
have learned of how little account you
are to people"
What do care for people?" was
HIS question.
"You will care Just as did tonight"
she said, when you find that you
are Of little account. It will hurt you"
He turned to her. DO you think I
could ever be Of little account?" he
asked 81 don't say this with conceit,
but ! know that l have found myself,
and that henceforth / shall make the
world listen"
"Oh!" she breathed, "1f one could
feel like that"
"One must feel like that" he said,
"to live and conquer. Shall we test
It? Tomorrow night put on your pret-
tiest gown and go into the dance ex-
pecting to be a belle, not a wall flower,
and see the result"
That wouldn't make a bit of diff
ference" she protested.
1T will make q difference" he said.
Try IT,"
The next night saw her in the midst
Of a group of men. Her head was up
and her eyes were shining.
you see 1t worked" he said, as he
came up to claim dance.
1T was the funniest thing" she con-
fessed. Before l came downstairs l |
smiled at myself in the glass and |
over and over again that l
was young and happy, and gradually
came to feel that l was happy, and
came down to the dance tonight with
1ut fear. It seemed as if l created
lifferent atmosphere. Do you believe |
n such things? OF course you do,
Jr you wouldn't have advised it last
night"
Il knew you we're Understanding
your own charms" he told her. "You
an away upstairs to the balcony be-
ore people had half a chance to see
,ou."
after ALL" she said, quickly, what
s It worth, what do really care what
hey think of me?"
He looked down at her with a new
light in his eyes. What do we care
or anyone except ourselves? What
think Of you, and what you think of
ne: that IS the important question,
sn't it?"
After a while he took her up to the
,alcony where they could be alone.
"If had my money. he said, "Td
SIX you to marry me-"
III you had your money" she said,
/ wouldn't let you ask me. I'm not
tted to be the wife of a rich man."
Below them the dancers whirled to
he rhythm of the music. Outside the
yind sang a wild song, but they had
o ears for the music within or that .
,ithout. They were listening to the /
ong Of their own hearts. which told ,
I the love that laughs at obstacles. a