The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-08-21

envelope was placed in her hand And
he had appeared so intelligent, that
scenario reader. so kind. in the story's
return lay not all the mans perfidy,
for IT had again been sent back IN
read. The secret marker told the tale.
Two very real and big tears over
flowed tie dark eyes and splashed
upon her hands. Charlie viewed them
contemptuously Il had so counted
upon that reading" she murmured
Then she sighed resignedlT and reach
ed for her hat. "A promise is a prom
ise," she told herself decidedly, "and if
q man can't be trusted TO keep one he
must be made TO do it
If Charlie had been swinging along
the campus instead of down a proper
city street she would have whistled
cheerily In her undaunted courage
Now she smiled as she hurried along
at thought of this persistent boarding
Of the scenario reader in his den"
How would he greet her? For at the
back of Charles brain was a strange
assurance of not having been forgot
ten. When he had read her wonderful
story he would justify In his own
mind her persistence.
The whistles blowing out the noon
hour reminded her apprehensively that
the editor might leave at this time for
luncheon A wait In his office would
be discouraging Charlie crushed on
through the snow. Deep 1t lay all
around her, great drifts, which the
ho6 ~
move. Then all at once In her head
long rush Charlie collided with a mas
culine figure. She had one startled
glimpse of the mans hand reaching
frantically for his dislodged eyeglasses
and another glimpse OF those same
glasses disappearing with a mysterious
6nality into a drift Of wayside snow.
Blinking dazedly, her victim turned
upon her. IL beg your pardon" he
stammered. Gould you locate my
glasses, which have just fallen? I am
as blind as a bat without them
Charlie blinked, too, for the victim
turned out most surprisingly to be that
difficult and stubborn reader Of plays
It was evident In his present predica-
ment that the man had not recognized
her.
81 will be grateful" he went on more
easily, IF you can find them for me-"
Charlie looked over the road, with its
rushing autos and crowded traffic,
which the man evidently intended to
cross. Then she made her sudden re-
solve.
81 could get them for you," she an
swered slowly II distinctly saw
where they fell. The glasses went di-
rectly to the bottom OF the drift with
out leaving a sign above"
"Win your asked the man. He
waited perplexedly. "Or perhaps" he
continued as she made no response,
lone Of the men about might shovel
through the drift"
Miss Blake shook her head. ''They
would be sure to break the glasses, >
she said
81 couldn't risk that" grumbled the
man. I'm In a dev-excuse me-very
great hurry Most important work
must be done before could have time
to look up new glasses, reading work.
he exclaimed conclusively.
81 know" Charlie replied. "You are
a judge of photoplays. l called about
one of mine which you had returned
three times. You gave your promise
to read it''-she paused impressively-
"and again sent it back unread"
The man peered closely into her face.
81 thought 1 recalled your voice." he
said You are
Miss Blake" answered the girl
He shook his head despairingly. eff
/ could only see you. But / remember
the circumstance now. Your manu-
script was not to be found when !
searched among the papers. 1t was
regrettable."
yellow envelope from her muff. 'Tt's
here now" she suggested.
"And / can't see," complained the
man.
IF you couldT she asked him.
I'D read 1t first thing / got back to
| the Office he told her Then, stand
| ing there between the great drifts of
snow, they looked at each other and
laughed.
/
knees, one cloaked arm thrust to the
shoulder into the icy depths. mo-
ment more and she held up to him.
cleaning, intact. the valued glasses.
Through them presently his own
twinkling eyes answered the challenge
| Of hers
"The manuscript, please" he request
ed crisply. A moment longer he wait
ed to glance at the title page and her
neatly typed signature. Charlie
Baker he questioned.
cit was the name the girls gave me
at school," she explained. IT used 1t
In preference to Charlotte"
Understanding flashed across the
mans face. so that was why could
not locate the manuscript" he said.
81 was looking for a more ladylike
nom de plume Not knowing 1t to be
| yours, it was sent back unread. VIII
you forgive me"-suddenly he held
out his hand-"and accept my grateful
thanks for your service"
'It was / who knocked your glasses
or" Charlie reminded him.
You saved my life" the man In
sisted why, I've a scenario to get
| out before e"
It was she now who stood watching
his departure. Had his own heroes
upon the screen, she wondered, as fine
and straight a figure, as true and frank
a face? Charlie was glad as she walk
ed thoughtfully homeward that he had