Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-24
/ aiming OF
Rodney

When Rodney was IS and developed
such a violent and romantic passion
for the blond little girl in the corner
candy shop his fond parents sat up
nights holding their distracted heads
and bemoaning Rodneys fate, for they
were positive that matrimony, and
perhaps an elopement. would crown
the affair.
The little candy girl thought Sc too,
for when Rodney of sudden calmly
announced that everything was over
between them she talked Of breach
of promise suit after she had finished
weeping and asking why he didn't love
her any more. To the latter query
Rodney had bent studious mind and
had finally delivered the verdict that
he was blessed if he knew. Apparent
" his affections came and went with
the wind.
After that followed love affairs with
a long series Of girls. Finally Rod
ney's family became so accustomed to
this sentimental state that they went
right on with their usual three meals
a day and paid no attention to 1t. If
Rodney was not at the point where he
had at last found the girl Of his heart
and everything was settled he was at
the next point where of sudden be
had decided that 1t was all mistake
and he did not really care for that par
ticular girl.
Finally he met Stella. She had
paused for a few days in the city on
her way 10 her home in San Francisco
or Seattle or Reno or some point In
the distant west. Rodney instantly
fell victim to her charms.
Stella was one Of those girls who
are so slim that you think them skin
ny until you observe that instead they
are merely 1.-the and willowy. You
think her only moderately good look
ing until you dissect her face and con-
clude that there never before were
black eyes quite so big, skin quite so
white and fine and lips so clearly cut.
AS for her slow smile-Well, that was
positively irresistible.
Rodney rushed out to San Francisco
or Seattle or Reno or wherever 1t was,
Just two weeks after Stella left. He
said he had business out there and he
had. His business was to fall still
more deeply In love with Stella Soon
there came day when, lettering I'M
der the trellised arbor In her yard, ho
told her how he felt and that he want
ed her to marry him.
There is no reason to blame Stella
for liking him, because Rodney is
eminently likable and his wooing had
been spectacular and therefore attrac-
tive. She said yes-and Rodney de-
parted on air, because he simply had
to go back home.
The next morning Stella got tele-
gram from him. sent from the train on
which he was speeding eastward It
read: Consider 1t all a mistake and
at an end. Am miserable. VIII write" .
BY the time the startled Stella had
got Rodney's explanatory letter and
perused 1t and completely failed to IN
derstand it. Rodney had discovered to
his alarm that he did not experience
his usual citation. at being free from
an ENHANCEMENT. He had heavy
heart and a yearning which he finally
figured out was desire to see Stella
again. He really loved herl
Expense not having to be consld-
cred by Rodney, he Travelled back to
the coast and metaphorically cast HIM
self at Stella's feet. Stella smiled her
slow, sweet smile. regarded him mus
ingly and then practically summoned
the gardener to sweep him out with
the other rubbish. Rodney went and
sat By the sea after that and medi-
tated upon death and raved at HIM
self. Stella regularly hung up the re-
ceiver whenever she found him on tho
phone, so after @ while he returned
home, o blighted being. Everybody
knew he was a blighted being because
he made no secret Of it
Stella was his only thought and his
sole conversational topic, till finally
his family struck. They told him to
clear out and go and marry Stella by
main force or else fall in love With
some one else before he returned
home, So he hunted up Stella.
Rodney was very much In earnest
and very desperate and he made Stella
listen. Incidentally she gathered his
sentimental history from friends OF
hers who knew him we'll. But Stella
was q wise girl and saw possibilities
I'm going to take q chance that
you mean what you say" Stella told
him. Anyhow hope you do mean
what you say, because well, I'm
foolish enough to like you myself! /
think III marry you after ALL
"Todayl" Rodney cri"d jubllantly.
81 should say not" sal. Stella, win
decision. I'm going to give myself