Arizona republican., 1912-03-13
W hats Ours
By WlNoNA GODFREY
(copyrisht, 1910, by the Pearson
 Publishing Co.)

thTee-step!"
 Tremper was coming across the floor toward her. Everybody was staring. IL was in the air that the stranger had bribed the musicians that he might dance again with Sydney Chase!
 You see" he whispered. standing before her Her eyes were like stars. but she rose in silence. Wirt looked on blackly.
 'I suppose may not take you home?" Tremper brOached presently.
 She smiled No"
 You came with that light fellow over there?"
 Yes"
 Forgive me for this extra busi. ness"
 She was silent
 Did you mind?" anxiously.
 Il guess not" she said
 Win you let me call on you. them"
 "Why'-she hesitated Her heart luttered her white lids dropped under his gaze. If you wish"
 Il do wish. Where do you live?" SLe told him.
 After the dance: Goodnight" he said quietly. and he and his friend had gone before Home. Sweet Home" was over
 Wirt scolded a good deal on the way home about strangers being allowed 10 rome in that way. Nobody knew who they were-comin' in and maxim fun of everybody. But he was afraid 10 scold her.
 Sydney felt rather daZed. She was tremulously happy and frightened al the same time She could think Of nothing but that gray-eyed fellow and the way he had looked al her. When she came home from work the ! next night. flowers had come for her, and lhe next night he came himself. II was a dingy old clearinghouse and | there was no parlOr. only sort of lit tle alcove off the hall. where there were TWO swains already waiting for | their ladies 10 descend Cant we go somewhere" whispered | Tremper. as he released her hand. If you like. I'll get my hat" Like all the other homeless couples, they spent the evening in street-cars. and in the park. and in little restau rant She told him she worked al | Hathaway & Eaton's. half fearful lest ! this news should cool him. T. didn't And where do you wOrk?" she in | qured.
 He laughed little oddly. I'm | afraid Tn not much Of toiler. I'm pretending to lawyer little now" "Oh. you ought to work steady" she ! melted him. not quite understanding
 He looked at her with sort of rue ful tenderness. "Im-I'ye heen-an awful muff"
 A little time passed. Wirt was for | gotten. Sydney could not stop to l think-until Tremper had kissed her.
 They had come home from some where, and as she turned at the door 10 say goodnight. he suddenly bent and touched her fresh lips And she had torn from him and darted into the l house. Tears were on her cheeks when | her own door shut behind her | Perhaps she ought never to see him | again. She knew the store was buzZing | with gossip about her Tremper, with l his fine clothes and his free ways and l lis air" obviously gentleman" and l what did a gentleman want with u | shop-girl like Sydney Chase? Not any | good probably. Much of this talk f!l- tered 10 the girls ears, and at first it had not troubled her greatly. Unim- I | never dreams O. Prince Charming 1 from some world above her.
 She lad no notion whatever that his estate might be especially exalted. Nor 1 had she. in spite of what she saw in ' his eyes. ever said to herself: Il love | him and he loves me" For the first time then. she really faced what that 1 kiss might mean. Tremper was diff hn a,, she knew, and she had read far .oo many novels not 10 understand that men kiss and ride away. And that kiss taught her afresh what it would mean to her if Burton Tremper, too should ride away.
 But women must work as well as weep these days, and morning found her as usual leaving the car at Hatha' way 6 Eaton's corner. Tremper was there before her, and for a moment they looked at each other without greeting. pausing on the edge Of the sidewalk He was grave and pale.
 Sydney" he began without preface last night-forgive ne, won't you: But l meant it, and more, too. Will you marry me?'
 She lifted her eyes full Of wistful | questioning 10 HIS, lIitH lO"citu tHe white lids to mask their answering fire.
 Her whisper was brief: Yes"
 They stood silent the careless. bust ling tide of the city street flowing past them.
 II must gu." she ,lurmured present ly. m be late.
 He caught her hand. No. don't go | You needn't work now!" She smiled. "Oh I must" He submitted Then I'll meet you at noon and we'll have luncheon to !, gether"
 Al right" Their hands clung ,noment-and they parted. At noon. Tremper was boyishly gay "Oh. what's the use of waiting? Come let's be married today. and then 1t vii
 be done for good and nobody can un
 do it.'
 'Is anybody likely to try" sht
 laughed softly, not taking him seri
 ously.
 Well. nobody will succeed and h'
 shut his mouth tight. He tried to ge
 her to marry him immediately, thougl
 vouehsafing no greater reason thai
 what's the good of waiting. and Una
 he wished her to quit work at once At length she promised that in
 tnopth--thrse weeks maybe-and h | haJ in he satisfied