The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-08-01
SHE SPOKE FIRST
BY HARRISON CHASE.

Nancy Earle was a new-fashioned
girl with an old-fashioned name. She
believed in woman suffrage and the
power of mind over matter. She
played tennis and rode horseback.
When she reached the age of twenty
five Nancy had doubts that such a
thing as love existed. But that was
before she knew Henry Blauvelt.
Henry was the "Son" in the firm Of
Blauvelt & Son, the most prosperous
department store in town.
Henry was also slightly old-fash-
toned in regard to his consideration of
the gentle sex. To him, q girl resem-
bled piece of priceless china which
too much handling would break. And /
the fact that Henry Blauvelt fell in |
love with Nancy Earl was as much of |
surprise to Henry as it was to the
rest of the town.
1t happened one sunny afternoon at |
the Country club when Henry was sit |
ting in the cool shade of the big veran-
da when the club messenger strobe by, |
announcing a telephone call for Miss
Nancy Earle. The boy called so loud |
II that Henry spilled some lemonade
on his new flannel trousers, and while
he was ruefully contemplating the dis
aster Nancy herself came strolling by.
He searched his mind whereby he
might find a plan which would lead to
an introduction. Newton, however, is
rather a small village, and before the
afternoon was half over, Henry discov-
cred that at least ten of his acquaint-
ances knew Nancy Earle intimately.
He decided that Bob Melvin should
do the honors. Calling Bob aside, he
| explained that he wished TO be intro
duced to Miss Earle. and Bob, know
ing the characteristics of both Henry
and Nancy, laughed loudly.
4 Henry failed to see anything to
| laugh about in his simple request. He
! mentioned this fact rather crisply to
Bob, and the official introducer, once
brought TO his senses, hunted up
Nancy and introduced her to Henry.
Henry he'd up three fingers of his
right hand and muttered something
about being honored.
Nancy ignored the three fingers,
seized Henry's yielding hand in her
own calloused one and shook it heart
lily.
I'm glad to know you" she an
nounced. I've been wanting to speak
to you about tennis racket. ]
bought ii in your store only two days
ago, and yesterday a string broke. Do
you think l can get new one for it?'
| Henry assured her hastily that he
| would take up the matter himself.
| That was the beginning of a three.
months battle between Henry's ideals
and Henry's ideal. Henrys life was g
mixture of joy and gloom. Whenever
Nancy smiled at HIM he lived for G
brief moment in Utopia, and occasion
ally, when Nancy indifferently TOLD
: him that she had already promised
i somebody-or-other that he might TAX
d her to q dance, Henry received yer.
z vivid impression of what hades Nigh
be.
| But when the summer had almos
/ worn away he resolved TO ask Name
7 to marry him. He had long sine
changed his opinions regarding won
ans place in the general scheme of tn
universe.
Y 1t was after the late summer dane
IS at the club that Henry decided to tax
the step which thousands of youn
men had taken before him, but whic
is always new. 1t had taken him
long time to make the momentous d.
cision, not because of any doubt
Nancy's mind. For he believed sh
m considered him old-fashioned and on
of-date, and that she tolerated hi
Il. only because of the kindness Of hi
heart.
~ He was silent during the drive hon
after the dance, but when Nanc
" alighted from the car Henry followe
10 her and stopped for a moment In tt
IL shadow of the porch.
Nancy spoke first.
if Wont you sit DOWN. she asked.
on 81 guess not" Henry had difficult
in recognizing his own voice. Il
9 like to say something to YOU"
'What have I done now to displea'
il. you?" she asked.
Nothing" There was bri
k, pause, and then Henry took Il
plunge. II love you," he said.
And Henry, inexperienced as he W
In the art of courtship, did the rig
thing in exactly the right way. f
the first time in his life he kissed
girl. But it was perfectly fitting al
ss- proper-for they were engaged.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newsr
per Syndicate)
ire