The Little River news., 1916-11-22
ALENE'S ROMANCE.
By CATHERINE GRAN MFR.


ouOuiuC4Cu, SOC0-lOOhlIS young IdIn- CTS or cowboys were the heroes had caused her to picture farm as the place Of all others offering the roman tic possibilities for which her young soul yearned.
 She had been rather nettled moro than once at Will Eggers seeming oversight of the romantic in the yari- ous movies to which he had accom- panied her. He was always figuring how the plot worked out, and frequent ly when the most adorable hero had rescued the heroine from the villain Will would only give grunt about it being the same old gag
 At this stage of her day dream, the porter stuck his head in the door and shouted; "Waynesburg, Waynes- bnrg!" That being her destination, Alene grabbed her suitcase and as she tripDed down the steps she became the center of interest to the dozen listess- looking people. The prospect for ad- venture was far from promising.
 Just then the eyes of all left Alene and went ill the direction from which came the sound of a rushing automo- bile and excited and laughing voices. A big touring car swerved from the main road on the open space at the end of the station and 8 young man sprang from the machine to grasp the handrail of the last coach just as the train moved past the station.
 Alene hoped she would be taken into the automobile to be conveyed to Ru- ral Retreat farm. She was accosted at that moment by a tall, lank young fellow
 Are you waiting to go to Rural Retreat Farm?" The face from which the nasal voice leaked out was sun burned almost to a blister. His mouth oozed the brown liquid and the chewer. AS they logged along the dusty road, she made casual inquiry about whether the occupants of the automobile were stopping at Rural Re treat.
 Well, I guess not" he calculated.
 
 to Randolph's mansion.''
 Alene'S appetite was not tempted by the midday din1er. In the big yard after dinner, Alere found little of in- terest save hammock made of bar. rel slaves and padded with bed quilt.
 The long afternoons dragged insuf. ferably, and the day before the end of the week, for which she had paid her board in advance, she was so des- taken to the train. As the boy was driving her along in his buggy, she saw three galloping horsemen ap- preaching, and for an instant there re. vived within her the hope that nc. movie dream was coming true a-,1I all. AS the riders drew near, she rec, ognized one of them as the youth who had driven the touring car to the sta tion the day she arrived. But, alas for her dream! The three horsemcn went galloping by the slow-moving buggy without even glance at the oc- cupants, and the last hope for a mo- mantle adventure died out of Alene's heart
 Not until she was well on her jour ney home did her sense of humor come to her rescue. Then she saw how she had foolishly allowed her i'm agination to get her into predica- ment. She reached home that eve nj cf fo har were sitting down to dainty, but sim pie dinner in the darkened dining room of their little fiat. They laughed heartily at her accounts of her dis illusionment about the retreat and the rustic hero she had expected to find 1 there.
 And nov we're going to celebrate my return from the rural regions by going to picture show but l hope they won't show any rustic heroes" said Alenc
 That r@-ninds me-" exclaimed her mother. Did you hear about Will Egg | ger winning a thousand-dollar prize for the best scenario picturing a mod ern business romance? Isn't that great?" Before Alene could reply her father called her from the front door, bidding her come to greet an old friend. She was not surprised great ly when she found the 'old friend" to be Will Egger.
 | "Oh, Will, but I'm glad to get back to civilization said Alene, after the first greetings were over. I'm in- clined to think the rustic romances ! are all on the films"
 q came by to ask your parents how you liked your retreat" laughed Will, Out maybe you'll go to the picture | show with me-"
 'Ill go if you'll guarantee no rustic adventures" asserted Alene.
 q can safely promise that" said Will, flor they are giving the first run tonight of 8 modern business TO- nance"
 ''Oh, and congratulations on your home run for the big prize! Mother was just telling me about it when you came,'
 What I want to tell you, Alene, is l that I've been hoping that thousand I