The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-21
CHARACTER IN PASTEL
BY HARMONY WELLER.

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Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
Priscilla Walker was not exactly
dull, but she never sparkled. She
was not exactly homely, but she was
not pretty.
IF l should try to describe her"
one man in her set was heard to say
in speaking of Priscilla, she has
personality that is Of pastel shades"
Hire q hall and make speech
about her, why don't your" asked
Tom Royden; for it was to him that
the remark was made. "Or write
her about It. I never heard SO many
eloquent compliments about any one
little drab-colored girl" he said, with
some heat.
Never drab.colored, Tom. Any.
thing but that"
That's SO. Bill; old maids are drab,
aren't they?"
And, thereafter, in spite Of himself.
Tom was drawn toward Priscilla. The
more he was thrown with her-the
more he danced with her, dined with
her, talked with her-the more he had
to admit her fascination.
"Her personality seems to be al
ways just what I need. She invari.
ably fits into my mood. Now, what
bothers me Is this: does she At in
this way to every fellows notion?
Does every one think she's just the
right girl?"
Tom pondered these questions
through more than one night. At
length he became a frequent guest In
the home of Priscilla's parents in
their country place on Long Island
And it was during visits in her home
that he began to gather. through close
introspection, the reasons for her per.
sonality.
Her father, an unusually success
full business man, was bluff and noisy
self-centered and very proud Of his
achievements in the material world
Her mother was the antithesis OF
the father; she was diffident. quiet
retiring-but sweet. Priscilla, born
unselflsh, had tried all her life to
please both parents. She had listened
to and admired her father on all oc
casions, drawn him out on his ia
vorite topics, flattered him q little
With her mother she tried to be as
interesting as possible; she attempt
ed to make the little woman feel that
she was a part and parcel of the
world instead of a retiring, almos
subdued, creature. And Priscilla sue
ceeded in bringing more color int
her mothers personality than any
one else had ever been able to do
Mrs. Walker was almost at ease wher
Priscilla was about.
Priscilla" Tom asked one night a
they sat at coffee before the log fir
: in the dimly lighted living room. II
there anything you can't do-any
thing you are not interested in?"
Priscilla laughed softly and studie
the black coffee in the tiny cup sh
} held. "Why-yes, suppose Their
are many things ! can't do For ir
? stance, I can't VOTE"
And don't want to. I hope sal
Tom, testify.
' "Oh-h! but I do! I'd like yer
!. much to have the privilege Of tn
r ballot, but 1t is hardly my way to-
we'll. to get out and fight for It," sh
: said.
"Next?" persisted Tom.
"Oh, don't force me to talk Of m.
! self: 1t isn't an interesting topic
ONyok - ,,o,, porhopu nvt pri
cilla," Tom leaned toward her. "
r has become the most absorbing topl
y for thought. conversation and consi
a eration-to me-"
>. Priscilla only smiled a sweet, no
!, committal sort of smile
|. Girl. don't you know most CIR
" would have blushed-if they weren
past blushing-or simpered or locke
" shocked? And yet you receive th'
|; remark-which you know very well
!, only the forerunner of more and S
. rjous ones-as II I had said 1t was
~ pleasant day. Priscilla, look at me
n Priscilla turned her soft blue ey'
10 full upon him. Slowly a smile dawnt
!. in them even as she looked at hill
"Well?" she asked. what them"
"a What then? love you. I car
m stand 1t to be away from you for
10 day And yet I have that awful fe'
4. Ing that you are all things to all mi
m to all people in the world. And
~ never could stand that. dear. I
ir jealous; want you to be mil
ar alone"
or "But-Tom." she said, calling hi
ID though he had long discarded form
"A ity with her. What makes you thil
-. II am so much to every one?"
70 "Oh, the fellows are always MAXI
=, poetic remarks about you: they're
ways looking at you: always wanti
to do something for you. And t
girls adore you! So where do COZ
in? Can you tell me? Or Is It agar
that tantalizing policy of yours to t
>. me. Priscilla?"
=" you come Unjust where y
~ like" she said with characters
an quietness.
NV Tom jumped to her side. "Pr
"a ella! Say 1t again! You love m
~ You really care for me-" he ask,
- searching her face. Il did not ds
w.. to hope. and yet-oh, I wanted y
.H So"
~ Priscilla leaned up against him
~. he sat on the big leather arm Of
= :. chair. "And I've wondered for a 10
= time when you were going to tell
so. I've known it-yes, have. Tor
she said, hiding her face In