The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-10-02
Confession


In accelerated time; Just few nut'
tering palpitatons due TO the leapng
thought: "She has written to me 90
But, no. Second thought disproyed
this hopeful fancy. Emma Alden did
not write hand so boldly angular,
and Emma Alden would not have used
rose-plnk note paper.
Signing inyoluntarily, Doctor Con
way opened and read the letter that
had plqued his interest.
MY Dear Doctor Conway hear
you are back again, and do hope you
win be Interested in the news Of my
graduation, The exercises will take
place Thursday evening in Ployer hall.
u shall be glad to see you there,
aud, of course, you will meet many 9TH
er old friends ut the same time. Yours
very sincerely
"ETHEL ADEN.
"P. S.-Please come II you cen"
"Ethers graduation-yes, l remem-
Der she was looking forward to that
event. unused tie young physician.
"stn, this invitation is quite unexpeet-
ed ] wonder why she sent it.n
lie recalled the girl as he had seen
her o few months ago-almost one year
lgo. Vivaeious, willful, with brilliant
coIorng 10 match her exubcrant spirits,
Ethel Alden was a remarkable contrast
20 her sister Emma, who had always
lived up to the descriptive phrase, "a
littlc lady"
No one could remember Emma Alden
whom Size had bccn anything but slim
and self-possesscd. Her nut-brown
hair was sleek as silk, severely parted
and coilcd low al the back Of her small
head Her nut-brown eyes reflected
ihc purity and peace Of the spirit with
in. Her voice WAS low and sweet Ike
he haunting chime of ycsper bells,
She always wore soft colors and an air
of gentle dignity.
DE- Birch Conway's attentions to the
lovely MISS Alden had stirred mild gos
SIP in the town until his sudden de-
parnrc nearly q year ago, had ended
it. Ana no doubt now the Whole affair
was forgotten But the young ply
sicim had not forgotten Emma Alden,
or his wrecked hopes, or the bitterness
Of the tiiac when he realized that tho
Girl Of his choice cared nothing for
him. He had not forgotten the lively
sister, Ethel, either; for they had been
very good friends.
II won't 90" declared Doctor Con-
way, thinking Of Emma, who had
sighted him.
81 will CO. he decided a moment
later, thinking Of Ethel and her mys-
terious invitation.
Ployer hall lighted and decorated
for the commencement exercises Of the
towns high school on Thursday eve
ming. was crowded to the doors. Doc
tor Conway slipped into the gay scene
as unostentatiously as possible, and
took a seat on the far side where his
dark head silhouetted against the pale
wall, was soon discovered by pair Of
bright eyes belonging to one Of the
white-gowaed girls sitting on the plat
form.
Ethel Alden, vivid and impressive as
usual, acquitted herself brilliantly.
She read an essay on 'The Life Be
yond" and a witty class poem which
she composed. While singing in the
chorus later she managed to send a
flashing smile to that side Of the hall
where dark head was silhouetted
against the pale wall. And, half
hour later, with ribbon-tied diploma in
hand and an armful of flowers, she
dropped an old-fashioned courtesy be-
fore Dr. Birch Conway.
"Tm so glad you camel" Her dark
eyes were sparkling and her cheeks
crimson. She looked handsome tonight.
The young man was stirred at sight
Of her.
ethel, you've grown up" he teased.
@The bud is a full-blown flower"
Her eyes fell to bouquet of pink
roses She was holding. THANK you
for your roses, Doctor Conway" she
said with unusual shyness. Then she
leaned nearer. "Haye you seen En-
naT she asked.
"Only from a distance" replied the
doctor, with sobered face.
''But you viii speak to her? She
knows you are here. But she doesn't
know wrote, said Ethel hastily. She
looked into his gloomy eyes, then away,
ana motioned for him to step TO one
side.
ITS a queer place for condolences,
but must tell you something--tO-
night. I'm afraid I've made mischief
don't know how much Ethel was
speaking in low, restrained tones and
with her eyes downcast II hoped You
and Emma would meet and be friendly
tonight. But I've seen her--and I've
seen you-and 1 know must 'fess
up.'"