The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-07-18

His letters are more CONVINCING
than his presence" she told herself.
Carrie spent several days trying to
convince herself that she had ceased
to love the actor, and that she intend
ed to break her engagement whether
he would or not Her thoughts ter.
minated in the writing of long, chum-
my letter that touched but lightly up
on love and marriage.
After that she waited eagerly the
arrival of PapPs next letter.
When it came Carrie scarcely adj
mitted even to herself that she was
disappointed. Paul's letter breathed
only of friendship and travel. There
was no hint Of the more intimate love
they had experienced, nor was there
another suggestion regarding the en-
gagement between them.
ut looks almost as if the tables had
been turned" Carrie sighed when she
came to realize that she really loved
Paul. Perhaps he should have been
writer instead of an actor" she
smiled whimsically, "his letters have
made me feel things that his presence
could not"
The summer passed while the CORE
spondence was continued. Carrie had
written to the effect that she would
be sailing for home in August
Since you are no doubt touring
about" she had written, II will not
see you before sailing, but when you
return to New York in November we
will surely meet"
1t was with great regrets that Carrie
left England. To her it was not so
much England as it was the country
where Paul Gregory lived.
II am little chump,' she told her
self while she dabbed handkerchief
to her eyes. The boat was pulling out
to sea and Carrie was experiencing the
horrible sensation of being dragged
away frem one whom she loved very
dearly. "The worst of 1t is she tried
to smile through her tears, that Paul
does not seem to love me-"
At dinner in the evening Carrie
looked listlessly over the passenger
list that lay on the table before her.
Because her eyes were more or less
unseeing the name Paul Gregory did
not meet instant recognition. When 1t
finally dawned on her consciousness
that she really was seeing that name
in print her cheeks were swept with a
brilliant color
HE Is on this boat--he is on this
boat!" her heart repeated.
But when the dining saloon was
without @ vacant chair and no familiar
matinee idol appeared to greet her
Carries spirits sank. She realized
with her disappointment that for some
unknown reason she had been expect
ing Paul on the homeward trip. Her
intuition had been but a myth and
had become to her a reality because
another man possessed the same name
as her Paul She read her menu card
through tears.
"Will you please pass the paprika? 2"
asked most delightful voice at Car
rie's side. 1T is always customary to
begin acquaintance on ship board by
asking for salt always change it to
paprika-Miss Reynolds"
Carrie turned to find herself look
ing into a pair of laughing eyes, and
later blushing to the roots of her hair
She was angry at herself for blushing
and more so for returning the smile
he sent her.
hn continual
calmly, because ! have been corre-
spending with you for some three
months"
"You are absurdly mistaken" Carrie
managed to tell him.
81 am Paul Gregory" the man told
her, "and James Dean, actor and natl
nee idol is my cousin. Jimmy is rath-
er fond of a joke and gave you my
card when he. parted from you. You
have been writing me most
"You had no right to keep me in
ignorance!" Carries eyes we're flash
ing but in her heart she knew now
why letters had counted where words
had failed.
Paul Gregory's voice was serious, Il
had not intended to until knew that
YOUR letters we're written only in
friendship, and that they would con-
tain nothing sacred to lovers. also
knew that l wanted your letters more
than Jimmy could ever want them"
Carrie remained silent.
"But how do you happen to be here
11o+ cb uSlxnd
"That is what call a very foolish
question:" Gregory answered with a
laugh in his voice and seriousness in
his eyes.
ut does seem foolish-now." Carrie
told him.