The Washington herald., 1913-12-10
DAILY SHORT STORY

| things. It's too personal for me around
here II any one wants me you can say
Pm dead. Confound you for a-ned-
der" he staIked out, and Parsons
chuckled after him.
You surely have got it bad. my
boy" but Hurley was out Of ear
shot.
still scowlihg the young fellow
| strode out upon the street, where was
falling softly the first real snow. II
was late in November and the Thanks
| giving spirit was in the air. shops
displayed turkeys and chickens and
certain air Of plenty and jollity pre-
| vailed. Hurley walked along, throw
ing HIS head back and breathing. in the
crisp air. He walked out of the DOWN
town district and up a quiet residence
street. finally turning into Pleasant
| avenue lost in thought, but feeling
better. After all. IL had been rather a
| relief to have Parsons talk about her
/ he had known IL would be Tom Port
land-something had warned him of
that. OF course, she had been indiffer-
ent to him, Hurley, but who could
blame her? he thought humbly with the
abject seIf-depreciation of the man
really in love.
He walked on, and resolved imme-
diately to take Parsons advice He
| would come out OF it"-and forget her
/ From that moment on his depression
/ would cease. He would be his old gay
self He would not make fool of him
self over an engaged girl. Now that
he knew 1t was all over it would be
easier for him. 1t was the uncertainty
/ that had troubled him. Still. what had
he done that she was SO rude as not
\ to answer his last letter-and an invi-
tation to the Bachelors ball at that?
It was an honor-not an insult, that in
vitation. What did she mean? She
might have been civil, at least, he
thought bitterlyl
Somehow the old gayety did not coms
to his face as easily as he wished He
walked along swiftly but aimlessIy i'm
i the soft-falling snow, bound nowhere IL
was then that going about corner he
came face to face with Ethel Rose, walk
ing alone. befurred and rosy, her eyes
bright She smiled enchantingly and
stopped. and perforce he paused and took
/ her out-stretched hand. Despite himself
warm glow went all over him. She
was near him again What mattered?
But he found nothing to say. She
colored brightly and a strange shyness
held her silent a moment.
! "You-don't deserve being spoken to-"
she said. but / am forgiving-" He
looked his utter surprise. and she an
swered his unspoken question.
| you did not answer my last letter
| it's two months ago since wrote it,
But never mind, though it was rude OF
you"
He turned and walked beside her. his
head twisted that he might see her
bright brown hair curl against her soft
cheek
Il did answer-and I also asked you to
the Bachelors ball. You must have for
gotten-but you are excusable-your new
| INTEREST," mean getting engaged and
ALL" he stumbled. speaking rapidly and
giving her no chance to reply. Portland
is a lucky chap-and wish you all man
ner Of-happiness" The words tremblej
on his lips, but she turned and looked UP
at him, stopping short in the street.
wait a moment. / never received that
invitation. Mr.. Hurley. Something must
have happened to it. And I'm not en-
gagged. Tom Portland may be lucky
but If you mean that I am toto marry
him, You are mistaken What put such
an idea in your head?'' She began
walking on, and he strode beside her
on air. for the earth seemed TO have
gone from beneath his feet She was not
enga ged, And she had not-slighted him.
tSomething had happened to his fool let
ter hut-here she wasi Every hit Of sense
left hin1--he had but one Thought, and
that was a question. 3,
"wnl you-marry me, Ethel? Yeu
know love you'll thought r.
''I-of course I WILL" she said nervons-
ly. and found not another word to say.
He looked down at her, his face alight
Ethel he said. you're in, danger
Of being-kised, right on the avenue
with people all about. 1t would be a
scandaEbut 1 am afraid 1 shall. do it
IL we don't get somewhere pretty quick -
She was demure, and gave him little
U smile There the OarSOn'S library