The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-07-08
GOOD IMPRESSION
BY AGNES G. BRoGAN.


With wei simulated surprise. Gerry
Thompson proceeded down the car
aisle to meet his sisters new friend.
The few occasions upon which he had
been privileged to enjoy that young
woman's companionship, had not salts
fed Gerry's eager state of mind, for
his was an unmistakabIe case of love
at first sight.
The moment the girl raised her eyes
IN acknowledgment of bis sisters
words of introduction, Gerry's heart
had leaped from its normal position, as
1t seemed to have acquired a habit of
leaping ever since at sight of her.
Gloria would be going to the city to-
morrow, Gerfy's sister had told him,
and he might take advantage OF the
long ride into town to create good Inn
preston. So Gerry paused before the
last seat down, and raised his hat In
apparently surprised delight.
$50 glad to see you" he said, point
Ing to the vacant seat at the girls side.
MAY II" And Miss Gloria nodded in
bright assent.
'The time viii pass more quickly
with companion" she said.
To such a propitious beginning Gerry
bent his best endeavor. How could he
please her, win her admiring favor?
Her nearness was most distracting.
Surely he had not realized before her
loneliness. Sidewise the girl looked at
him.
aren't you going to talk7" she
asked.
Gerry cleared his throat. He must
be very careful in broaching a subject
OF conversation. "Gloria is so well in
formed" his sister had warned him,
don't make the mistake of starting
any topic you're not sure OF" What
was he sure of? Gerry did not know.
In embarrassed despair he drew the
morning paper from his pocket shaking
out its folds.
"Bolsheviki," he began, reading from
the printed headlines.
"Oh! please" the girl protested, I'm
so heartsfck Of war. Just here, flying
along through these giistening snowy
field-can't we talk of something else?'
Hurriedly Gerry turned the page. He
had blundered at first effort. Over In
this section Of woman STUFF he might
find surer ground. Gloria leaned closer
to smile with him at an absurd pic
tured fashion. He felt encouraged to
read feelingly sentimental poem, but
the girl laughed.
Doesn't seem to fit in with my mood
today" she told him. Then her eyes
took on CLINT of interest. Whats
the story?" she asked.
Gerry read the title disgustedly.
Roses and Thorns. By Richard Gold
en- OF course" he added, 'sif there Is
anything particularly inane, that fell
low writes it.; sometimes read his
silly yarns on the way home-such
ROT"
why" inquired his companion, edo
you read them IL they are so foolish Z"
Gerry shrugged his shoulders-"T
pass the time, / suppose" he said;
but can you fancy person like that
for-well, lifemate?"
"Why not7" questioned Miss Gloria,
wide-eyed.
Romance is all very well In its
way" Gerald told her, 'sbut to be con-
stantly associated with. one Of these
dreamer of dreams'-not for me"
Gazing from the car window the girl
considered. 'sThe poor writer may be
well-meaning kindly SOUL" she
unused. mot as aggressive perhaps as
some conceited young business men"
Gerry was subdued; the rest OF the
ride passed In strange intermittent
silence.
| Miss Gloria held out her hand with
frigfd little smile.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Thompson"
she bowed In dismissal. Gerry strobe
along modify. He had intended to In
vite her to lunch with him during this
shopping tour In the city and now II
was all ended. That ''knock" OF hers
about a "conceited young business
man." had evidently been given to
chide his assurance. Well, he would
pass the afternoon at q movie, and
meet her on the train going home.
Girls were queer. He might then In
| humbleness be able to reinstate him
self. His eyes sought her out before
| she had fairly selected her seat upon
the homeward Journey, but an intel
lectuall0oking youth forestalled him
as Her companion. 1t was only at the
station before the last, that the man
lingering unnecessarily over the girls
hand, babe her good night and depart
ed. Gerry's humbleness had vanished
as he dropped into the coveted seat.
! Il suppose you will be able to bear
| my presence for the few remaining
miles" he remarked sulkily.
/ won't bother me at ALL" the girl
assured him. "rm going to read the
story in the paper-Richard GoIden's
rotten stuff you know"
/ Gerry leaned suddenly forward
why" he asked severely. "were you
| so cut up over what said about that
fool wrfter-anything to do with that
fellow who has just gomez
/ Miss Gloria looked straight into his
eyes: NO." she replied, Il am the
fool writer I'm Richard Golden"
For long moment they sat gazing
at each other.