The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-26
PENELOPE
BY Nj. M'cuLLocH-WILLIAMs.

From her yOutp, feneippe Was IKE
sapling-so declared her family.
Other folks likened her tc a flower,
or stalk OF wheat she was so slim
and, withal, so lithely graceful The
pity OF II, they did not tell her. There
fore she drew her fine hair away from
her classic brow, and made herself
as nearly fright as healthy com
plexion and very good eyes permitted.
The Joy of life for her centered in
the theater. Each week she bought
next weeks ticket-this to make sure
OF an end seat. Judge, then, her
mental state when, all intent upon
seeing the star play of the winter,
she found her chosen and paid-for
seat occupied by an elderly man and
the row filed with what was evidently
a family party--a sweet-faced, white
haired woman, two presty girls, q
young matron. vivaclous and no-end
stylish. and very good looking young
man, evidently her husband. Those
two we're Enthusiastically urban, Pene-
lope instantly decided; the others had
provincial written all over them. She
waited with a sort of grim satisfac-
tion the ousting Of the intruder.
Tho usher poke sharply to the old
man. Instantly the younger one
leaned across, showing handful Of
checks. The usher studied them In
tently The young man rose, stepped
out in front of her. looked at the check
the usher held, then said politely;
There's evidently mix-up. VIII you
please take my seat?"
You live out Of town." Penelope
asked.
"A thousand miles" he laughed
"So-of course--I want to see all the
wonders
"You shall see this-at your ease"
Penelope assured him smilingly i
can come to see II any afternoon
And this Is his only chance the
young man interrupted gratefully
MY people are leaving town tonight
elise we should have waited for the
evening performance. Still--I don't
like taking your seat Come with me
to the box Office. please. 1t needs-a
good talking to-
Which am quite equal to under
take by myself. Sit down and see the
play" Penelope decided, amazed at
her own self-possession. She was
even more astonished when. in the
lobby-to which he had followed her
the young man touched her arm. say
ing deferentially:: You must let me
have your name here is my card. |
simply can't thank you enough-dad's
heart was so set on,this."
Penelope took the card without
Ioking at 1t. handing over her own,
face down, In return. Then, with a
quick Go right back to dad" she
darted outside, resolved to have 1t
out with the box Office at more
convenient season. She had had ex-
element enough for one day.
Next afternoon she had surprise
the maid brought in cards for her
Mr.. and Mrs. Adriance had called to
see her. Perhaps fate and provisions
anyhow something had inspired Pen
to curl her hair and get into a pale
violet afternoon frock that became
her wonderfully well. Thus It hap
pened she was all unlike the forbid
ding tailor-made self the visitors ex.
pected to find.
The change put them all at their
ease. The. Advances, It turned out.
had several friends who were well
known to the Chesters. That had
emboldened them to coma over and
ask Pen to make one OF theater
party the following week. with a lit
tls supper. afterward.
This was but the first Of series OF
happy outings to dinners. to theaters,
to concerts and many delightful en-
tertaipments. After six weeks of 1t
Pen took herself sternly TO task-she
was growing too fond of all this. She
did not admit II even to herself, but
she knew sh, was growing fond OF
Frank Adriance. He was not mar
ried. It turned out-the gay young
matron who sat by his side at the
theater was his sisterin-law Her hus-
band was abroad on business and
they we're living at hctel for the
winter.
One day when she was at her worst
--sall0w and hoEow-eyed from her
effort to crush her growing fondness
for Frank-the affair came TO a crisis,
AS 1t happened. she had dressed her
self in a fcrbidiing, slouchy green
something. at which even economy in
the person of Grandma Pettcn had
cried out aghast Yet when Frank
Adriance. unannounced. came upon
her in the library. en- her knees, sort
ing old prints and papers, he did
not pause to see what fright she
had made Of herself. He lifted her
to her feet. boxing earnestly In her
face, ami began, with husky tremor,
cn-darling-I can't live without
soil came at this unearthly
hour tc tell you"
'AlegT Pen cried incredulausly,
dragging him toward big bookcase,
the doors OF which. furnished dis
tcrted mirror. Look Snch fright.
you-ycu must be making spcrt OF
met
"A fright. yeu're goddess--iust