The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-09-09
CHARACTER IN PASTEL
BY HARMONY WELLER.
-UpyrIBlt, IyIo, by tHt WCOII
per Syndicate.)

uOI pretty
IF / 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 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 1t. | never heard 80 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 l need. She invari-
ably fits into my mood. Now, what
bothers me is this: does she fit 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 difident, quiet,
retiring-but sweet. Priscilla, born
unselfish, 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, fiattered him 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
subdued, creature. And Priscilla sue
ceeded In bringing more color into
her mothers personality than any
one else had ever been able to do.
| Eo1l mr. of urhn n
Priscilla was about.
Priscilla" Tom asked one night as
they sat at coffee before the log fire
in the dimly lighted living room, is
there anything you can't do-any-
thing you are not interested in?"
Priscilla laughed softly and studied
the black coffee in the tiny cup she
held. "Why-yes. l suppose there
are many things l can't do. For in.
stance, I can't vote"
And don't want to. l hope" said
Tom, testify.
"Oh-h! but l do! I'd like very
much to have the privilege Of the
ballot, but it 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"
mot to you, perhaps. But, PrIs-
ella" Tom leaned toward her, ut
has become the most absorbing topic
for thought, conversation and consid-
eration--to me-"
Priscilla only smiled a sweet, non
comnittal 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 well Is
rious ones-as IL had said it was a
| pleasant day. Priscilla. look at me- -
Priscilla turned her soft blue eyes
full upon him. Slowly a smile dawned
in them even as she looked at him.
"Well?" she asked. "What them
What then? I love you. can't
stand it to be away from you for a
day. And yet l have that awful feel
ing that you are all things to all men
to all people in the world. And
never could stand that dear I'm
jealous; | 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. what makes you think
II am so much to every one?"
ooh, the fellows are always making
poetic remarks about you they're al
ways looking at you; always wanting
to do something for you. And the
| girls adore YOU SO where do | come
in? Can you tell me-? Or is It against
that tantalizing policy of yours to tell
me, Priscilla?"
'You come in--just where you
like" she said with characteristic
quietness.
Tom Jumped to her side. "Pris.
ella! Say 1t again. You love me?
You really care for me-" he asked
searching her face. Il did not dare
to hope, and yet-oh, wanted you
So"
Priscilla leaned up against him az
he sat on the big leather arm OF her
chair. and I've wondered for long
time when you were going to tell me
so. I've known it-yes, | have. Tom,
she said, hiding her face In his