The Washington herald., 1915-11-05
DAILY SHORT STORY.
HER CHARM.
By CLARIssA MACKIE.
Copyright. 1851

Copyright, 1851
so you've invited Ned Allen to your
party" remarked Mrs. Hendryx, pursins
| her lips in disapprovaL
Dorry looked up from her sewing, a
faint color fading into her cheeks
Ned is an old friend. mother" she
reminded.
But after his escapade-"
Mother. dear!" protested Dorry. you
know he was exonerated from all blame
in the matter Of the missing papers, and
even Mr.. Tuttle said that Ned hadDbeen
untustly accused"
Henry Tuttlef. said the same thing to
me-both father and son are generous
enough to give Ned the benesit of the
doubt: but, OF course, 1 wouldn't have
you slight Ned, my dear. In a small
town like Highway such things are very
noticeable-but I am afraid he will not
have very agreeable time"
Il shall take bai1s that Ned does have
. good time" said Dorry. her head bent
low over her needlewSrk-
Mrs. Hendryx cast a sharp glance at
her daughter. She didn't want Dorry to
become interested in Ned Allen when
Henry Tuttle was eager to marry her
father and son had both spoken to
Dorry's mother
ASK Ned IL you like. Dorry." said Mrs
Hendryx, but don't fuss too much over
him: 1t will appear as though you really
thought he needed pity, when II he has
done no wrong he can stand independent
ly among our other young men"
"of course. mother said Dorry
meekly enough. but her eyes flashed
dangerously.
The village streets rang with merri-
ment as crowds of young people In fan
tastic costumes wended their way to the
Hendryx home, large colonial Structure
cfowning a wooded slope.
The guests were masked and there was
much fun and not a little perplexity
when they entered the large parbrs
where Amos Hecker was playing the
cornet while his wife and daughter ac-
companied him on violin and piano.
The decora tions were strictly in accord
ance with the season. and Jack-o-l IAN
terms took the place Of lamps and
streamers OF gayly colored autumn leaves
trimmed the walls and doorways, while
black paper cats and witches peered at
one from every nook and corner.
Dorry, garbed as a Puritan maiden,
was without a mask. and she gave gay
greeting to her unknown guests as they
filed before her. Some she recognized by
voice or gesture. Henry Tuttle she knew
by a familiar ring on his little finger;
otherwise she would never have distin-
MIN ITOTn NeQ Allen, 1Or IleY
were both of the same height and general
appearance, and by a singular coinci-
dence both had chosen to assume the
dress Of century ago.
There was another stranger present. a
mender. whose identity no one could
guess
Then came Ned Allen. holding his head
with the same confdent air that marked
his bearing before papers had been
missed from the bank and Ned Allen,
the cashier. had been accused OF making
way with them. The Tuttles-Mr Tuttle
was president Of the bank and Henry
was vice president-had exonerated Ned.
but he had not been reinstated. and the
finger Of suspicion still pointed at him
and the tongue of gossip still babbled
about him.
Ned bent over Dorry's little head.
II hope my coming will not embarrass
you, Dorry," he murmured.
mo. indeed. Nedi We are honoredI"
said Dorry. with flushed cheeks and
shining eyes.
Thank YOU" he said as he passed on,
and there was more than gratitude In his
tone.
Halloween parties are much alike. and
Dorry's was no exception to the general
rule. They played the same old games
and danced the old-fashioned dances to
the playing of the Hecker family.
The old umbrella mender created a
diversion by stepping into the middle Of
the floor and lifting his hand.
81 an n fortuna taller frfapda d -