Putnam patriot., 1915-07-09
CHARACTER IN PASTEL
By HARMONY WELLER.
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Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure Newsp
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not pretty.
 If I 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 hall and make a speech about her. why don't you?" 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 they2s
 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 all ways just what l need. She invari- ably fits into my mood. Now. what bothers me is this: does she fit in this way to every fellows notionF Does every one think she's just the right girl?"
 through more than one night. At length he became a frequent guest in the home of Priscillas 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 ful business man, was bluff and noisy, self-eentered and very proud of his achievements in the material world. Her mother was the antithesis of the father; she was difHdent. quiet. retiring-but sweet Priscilla. born unselfsh, had tried all her life to please both parents. She had listened to and admired her father ea all oc- casions. drawn him out on his fa- vorite topics, fattered him a 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 almost subdaed. creature. And Priscilla sue ceeded in bringing more color into her mothers personality than any one else had ever been able to do Mrs Walker was almost at ease when Priscilla was about.
 Priscilla" Tom asked one night as they sat at coffee before the log fire in the dimly lighted living room. lis there anything you cant do-any- thing you are not interested in?"
 Priscilla laughed softly and studied the black coffee in the tiny cup she held. 'Why-yes, suppose there are many things I cant do. For in. stance, I can't vote"
 And don't want to. hope" said Tom testify.
 "0h-h! but I dol I'd like very much to have the privilege of the ballot, but 1t is hardly my way to- we'll. to get out and fight for it." she said
 "Next?' persisted Tom.
 %Oh. don't force me to talk of my self: it isn't an interesting topic"
 Not to you, perhaps. But. Pris- eilla," Tom leaned toward her, 'it has become the most absorbing topic for thought. conversation and consid- eration-to me"
 Priscilla only smiled a sweet, non eommittal sort of smile.
 Girl, don't you know most girls would have blushed--if they weren't past blushing-or simpered or looked shocked? And yet you receive that remark-which you know very we'll Is only the forerunner of more and se- rious ones--as if I had said it was pleasant day. Priscilla, look at me"
 Priscilla turned her soft blue eyes full upon him. Slowly smile dawned in them even as she looked at him. ''Well?" she asked What them"
 What then? love you. can't stand it to be away from you for a day And yet I have that awful feel ing that you are all things to all men ito all people in the world And I never could stand that, dear. I'm jealous; I want you to be mine alone
 ~But-Tom," she said, calling him by the familiar title for the first time, though he had long discarded formal ity with her. 'eI9hat makes you think Fl am so much to every one?"
 "Oh, the fellows are always making poetic remarks about you; they're al- ways looking at you; always wanting 10 do something for you. And the girls adore you So where do I come in? Can you tell me? Or is it against that tantahzing policy of yours to tell me. Prisciila?"
 You come in-just where you like" she said with characteristic quietness.
 Tom jumped to her side 'Prfs- cillal Say it again. You love me? You really care for me?" he asked. her face T did not dare to hope. and ye4-oh, 1 wanted you SO. fl
 Priscilla leaned ID against him as he sat on the big leather arm Of her i chair. And I've wondered for long time when you were going to tell me so i've known it-yes nave. Tom" she said, hiding her face in his sleeve.
 If a word to the wise is sufficient. lew men are wise.
 Preparing for the Future.
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