The Springdale news., 1914-05-08
5-JI EYES IF FIT.
y RANK K. '.-Lc ON.

indulge in, moderate letity at times. @thei says l can and she, if anyone foes, should know.
 For months before I met her at the graduating reception of my class ii college I had heard of her as being a mighty pretty girl" Now if there was one thing which 1 then held i1 utter scorn, 1t was pretty girl. carried Franklin's saying of hand. some is that handsome does" to the axtreme-and beyond if may be per. ntted the expression, I held that fem aine plainness and virtue walked and in hand and that no girl who Has pretty could also be fitted for the pedestal on which my ideal was raised. So you see Ethel Eiwell won no anti-acquaintance homage from me on account of her being acknowl- edged pretty.
 It the reception, however we were forced into each others company Most of the fellows except me hap pened to be either engaged or head over heels in love and there was prevalent opinion, afterward learn ed, that the man who had won the highest honors in the class of Ought Two ought to have some claim upon the belle of the reception, which Ethel undoubtedly was.
 made frank acknowledgment to her It the outset.
 AS we are to be neighbors at our summer houses up in the old Granite State this year, we ought to be ac- quainted, but 1 promise not to keep you from your conquest of hearts. You must, on the other hand. count ne as an immune. I have never yet seen the woman I could love. though I have many friends among your sex l promise, then, not to fall in love with you, and you of course don't have to say you won't fall In love with me. That goes without saying Now let's be friends and friends onlyi"
 For the smallest fraction of sec ond the blue eyes of Ethel looked into mine. and then dropped shyly under their silken fringes Although. as said, am serious minded man, I felt the queerest sensation about my temples 1 had ever known. It was like being under fire for the first time.
 Ethel extended her hand. quite the ] prettiest I have ever seen-small. white, and delicate beyond expres i sion.
 Thank you." she exclaimed in a 1 low, frank voice. T am so tired of 1 the men who fall in love with me. I tell you the simple truth when say you are the first-the very first-who l has promised to be only friend. You cant think how exceedingly re- freshing 1t is.'
 AS We adjourned to our summer residences in Hudson the next week. We saw much of each other after that. There was canoeing on the liquid sil- yer of the Merrimack and there was golf among the hills which looked as if they might have served as tees for the Titans of old.
 The last day came, the day when was forced to end my vacation. Ethel and 1 sat in the twilight on the veran- da of River Rest" as the Elwell cot. tage was called. We occupied oppo- site ends of the same willow seat.
 And we're still friends" I said elatedly. "Ethel"-I called her that in the spirit of true comradeship- you can't tell how much that means to mel"
 I did not suppose that the valedic. toran of his class at college would care for even the friendship of girl like me" she answered.
 I steeled myself at the thought that she might be playing with me as she had played with others.
 What is your program for tomor- row." I asked lightly.
 Boating, fishing, golfng, tennis, " she said.
 With Hartley Grady?" inquired
 Yes. suppose he and I will have l to strike up comradeship for Sep tember."
 This didn't please me, though ] couldn't have told why
 What time are you going west?" 1 queried. There was a California trip 1 in prospect.
 Papa says the Gradys are going with us. 1 expect, from what he says. we'll start about the first of October. "
 You'll be making an end of your conquests soon. Ethel" I said. feeling 1 as if I'd been shaken in a train col ] lision. l laughed nervously Per i haps you'll be marrying Grady"
 Perhaps" She actually smiled
 And. Robert, we're still friends, aren't we?" I remember hearing her say. as one remembers things which i occur in a drearbs
 Yes. .s-awkwai Ay-"and I prom. ised not to fall Tn love with you" Was my arm about her waist
 But I-I didn't make any prom ise," Her saying that. I remember very, very distinctly, for 1t was super latively sweet to my ears.
 Do you absolve me from my prom '