Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-20

She was a slim little slip OF creature
with a small, pale face and great dark
eyes-eyes that faced the ups and downs
OF her rather lonely life with the same
calm, resolute outlook Just a little ste
nosrapher she was. neither rich nor very
clever nor even very d-looking-and
tonight more than trif1e lonely, and, ah!
so tired.
The day had been long in the office. and
she had yearned for the quiet peace Of
her little attic room, with its cheerful
Are and big armchair. Yet here she was
at last, and all that she could feel was
the sheer solitariness OF II all For to-
night was the anniversary Of an episode
long years ago, an evening pregnant with
events, and the dear happiness OF young
love returned.
"Ten years ago tonight said the little
stenographer with a tiny sigh ten years
ago tonight. and I am %. This does not
seem to me quite like a birthday, some-
how. How | wish had some company
TO cheer me upr
piece Of burning wood sprang from
the FIRE down to the hearth below. The
girl stopped slowly and replaced 1t care
fully IAN that Is left for me is Just to
picture fancies in the hre' she said
aloud.
The embers shone with a deep crimson
light. and deep into their glowing heart
the girl now gazed brighter and
happier scene rose to her eyes. she saw
once more an episode of ten long years
ago. So many many unexpected happen
ings had come to her since then.
~ was sentimental lT-year-old that
night" the little stenographer said
aloud, land very much in love! the
best-laid schemes of mice and men do
often go quite far astray-witness my
present loneliness in this quiet little attic
room!"
She gased once more into the fire, and
there old memories seemed to glow. a
ballroom, lit with many-colored lights.
came to her view, and a tall, handsome
boy was leading a young girl behind the
shadow OF some sheltering palms.
This is your birthday. dear he said
while he gazed down at her most ten
Derby 81 am so glad to see that you
are wearing the pink roses that sent
you tonight They match the color OF
your pretty checks so well!''
The girl had laughed and blushed as is
the way OF sweet seventeen. Il love your
flowers" she said, "and do you like my
new pink Gown?''
"Ny dear. my dear" said he, while
loyclight shone in his dark. handsome
eyes. ~ think you are the sweetest
loveliest thing rye ever seen! Your
pink gown suits your pretty little face!
The little girl responded happily, Il
think you see me through rose-colored
glasses, Jlm!'
II want to marry you" the boy con-
tinued. earnestly. "Ah! If I only were
older and Weather, then we need not
wait"
"I do not think that mother will con-
sent" the little pink-gowned girl re-
piled, with a sad note in her young |
voice. but shall always love you, jim |
and no one else"
He bent his handsome head and kissed |
her tenderly.
This is the sheerest nonsense, Laura"
cried her mother later. in a sharp and |
dictatorial key; 1T is a piece Of imper-
tinence for medical student in his first |
year of college to dream Of marrying !
you! My only daughter shall make
suitable match, as l did with your poor |
dear father" And the good lady whisked |
away the very tiniest of tears for she .
was q widow. though a remarkably brisk .
and reconciled one.
The little Laura now was hurried off |
abroad, where in the joys Of European |
travel II was hoped that she would soon |
forget the early ridiculous love affair. /
All correspondence was strictly super
vised by the strong-minded mother, and /
they stayed abroad for quite five years.
living sometimes for months in Paris
then In Italy and Germany and other
parts.
The young medical student soon lost
track OF the little girl for whom he
cared so much She moved so frequently
TO new addresses, and when his college