Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-30

THE WORLD-AND DELLA
HotO the Country Mouse Came to Town

She looked at the flushed cheeks Of the
younger woman, and for the first time It
occurred to her that her life had been a
little dull
What arc you going to do with all the
money!" she said, no trace Of envy in her
tone-for at bottom she was a large
soulcd woman. though she did not always
act the part,
~ think that We both should 20 and
visit our cousins In Philadelphia" said
Della quickly.
A couple OF weeks later witnessed
parting at the little railroad station
In the village, where the spinster sis
ters lived. The younger was setting off
alone on the lonE-thought-of visit. The
older sister had refused to join her, and
had decided to save her share of the
money.
The Philadelphia visit proved great
success. For Miss Della Craven, spin
ster forgot that she had reached the ma
ture age Of 80. and reveled in saicties and
pleasures of all sorts. Yes, for four weeks
the giddv whirl of life in Philadelphia
had claimed her for its own!
She went with the young. merry cou-
sins to various dances, and though she
never learned to foX-trot, yet she had
great and glorious time!
She had grown almost pretty too. Per-
haps her new smart clothes were respon-
sibe for the transformation in the hith-
erto drab little spinster, but she blos-
somed forth and quite forgot that she
had reached the dividing line so perilously
near the shclf!'
Perhaps n certain rather attentive man
had somewhat to do with her bright air
and reiuvenated looks BE that SO or not
the little Della had a most delightful
time.
When the four weeks were over the
young cousins saw her or at the Reading
Terminal, with great regret. They wished
that she would come and live perma-
nently In Philadelphia. for they had all
grown very fond OF her
On her return to the little country vii
lage II seemed curiously small. The well
come OF her older sister carried compen-
sations, for It Is hatterins to know that
one has been missed, Yet Della felt
strangely unsettled and unhappy, and she
gszed down the long white road more
wtstfully than before. Yet this time
no letter came, though a whole week had
passed.
on the eighth morning she was gazing
down the road once more-and then she
saw the figure of a man appearing in the
distance. Her heart beat wildly. for she
recognized, even at that long distance. her
cavalier of the Philadelphia visit. Hast
lily she turned and hurried into the shelter
Of the house.
Yes, she was right, and IL was he! He
had not written, for he wanted to sur
prise her. so he said.
II could not keep away from YOU, my
dear he told her: you must have seen
how very much I cared I want to take
you back to Philadelphia and marry you
If YOU will have me. Words seem so
futile to tell you how very much
care I am so afraid that there is some
one else-all the men In this village must
ne in love with you, too. 1 think! They
simply could not help it, for you are so
sweet so beautiful.
The little Della could scarcely believe
that she was really wide awake! To
her II seemed a dream He thought her
beautiful!-she who had always been con-
sidered homely looking! And he talked
of other admirers, too-why II he only
knew It he was the very first man who
had apparently ever given her a second
thought!
Amidst her new, great happiness her
conscience troubled her that he should
labor under any such deusion. But her
older sister now spoke.
Yes, Della always was most attractive,
and you are lucky man to have won
herr she said to Della's cavalier in most
decided tones "I can congratulate you
truly. for I know she has heart Of
gold"
The End