The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-10-18
SHE SPOKE ] FIRST
BY HARRISON CHASE.

Nancy Earle was 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-fdsh-
toned in regard to his consideration Of
! the gentle sex. To him, girl resem-
bled piece of priceless china which
too much handling would break. And
/ the fact that Henry Blauvelt fell in
J love with Nancy Earl was as much Of
a surprise to Henry as it was to the
rest Of the town.
1t happened one sunny afternoon at
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
ly 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 plan which would lead to
an introduction. Newton, however, is
.. rather 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.
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 held 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 1t heart
lily.
'T'm glad to know you" she an
nounced. 1--WE been wanting to speak
to you about tennis racket. l
bought it in your store only two days
ago, and yesterday a string broke. Do
you think can get new one for it?"
Henry assured her hastily that he
would take up the matter himself.
That was the beginning of three
months battle between Henry's ideals
and Henry's ideal. Henry's life was a
mixture of JOY and gloom. Whenever
Nancy smiled at him he lived for a
brief moment in Utopia, and occasion
ally, when Nancy indifferently told
him that she had already promised
somebody-or-other that he might take
her to a dance. Henry received very
vivid impression of what hades might
be.
But when the summer had almost
worn away he resolved to ask Nancy
to marry, him. He had long since
changed his opinions regarding wom-
ans place in the general scheme Of the
universe.
It was after the late summer dance
at the club that Henry decided to take
the step which thousands Of young
men had taken before him, but which
is always new 1t had taken him a
long time to make the momentous de-
cision, not because of any doubt in
Nancy's mind. For he believed she
considered him old-fashiOned and out
of-date, and that she tolerated him
only because Of the kindness of her
heart.
He was silent during the drive home
after the dance, but when Nancy
alighted from the car Henry followed
her and stopped for a moment in the
shadow Of the porch.
Nancy spoke first.
won't you sit DOWN." she asked.
81 guess not" Henry had difficulty
in recognizing his own voice. I'D
like to say something to you
"What have done now to displease
you?" she asked.
Nothing" There was brief
pause, and then Henry took the
plunge. II love you," he said.
And Henry, inexperienced as he was
in the art of courtship. did the right
thing in exactly the right way. For
the first time in his life he kissed
girl. But it was perfectly fitting and
proprietor they were engaged.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
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