South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-10
Ann 5 Miracle
BY A. Maria Crawford

Joe had fallen in love at first sight
and was ready to commit himself.
precipitately.
Eugene and Jerry. who had been
engaged since they were children.
Joined them until time for the dane
ing 10 begin. Miss Harrington step
ped out on the floor and compelled
silence as she held up a warning
hand. Mr.. Charlton Brooke. the
most distinguished lawyer in the
state, would award the usual quar-
terIy prize Of one hundred dollars to
the girl who had made the best
marks for the spring term. A little
admiring murmur ran around the
room when a handsome man in the
early thirties stepped forward. in
stead of the old man they had ex-
pected and took his place beside the
stiff Miss Harrington.
All of the girls leaned forward,
stirred by a common impulse 10
worship at the shrine OF such a veri-
table story book hero. Success, good
looks and brains make "A powerful
combination and the school girls re-
sponded. hatteringly.
Charlton Brooke made a few
pleasant comments about a girl who
had made exceptionally fine marks
and announced that if Miss Ann
Meredith would come forward. he
would present her with the prize
When the little formality was
over Ann danced around the room.
her heart as light as her canvas
clad heels. and the adoring Joe
looked down at her, happier than
he had ever aeen before in all of his
carefree young life.
AS soon as the first dance was
over. Charlton Brooke made his
way toward Ann. his gray eyes smil-
ing into her startled blue ones.
Hello. Joe" he said genially.
Il am going to take this girl away
from you"
You're a celebrated lawyer, Mr..
Brooke, so I'm going 10 ask your
assistance in winning this girl. My
family is keen on the match" he
indicated Eugene who was laughing
at him, and now since I've seen
her I'm planning to speed things up
bit or my name is not Joe VIII
you take the case"
Charlton Brooke surveyed the
pretty girl who had the bearing of
a young queen. This slender flow
er-like girl who had somehow. mys-
teriously set his dignified heart
throbbing like a foolish boys at his
first party.
Il can't take your case. Joe" he
said, his eyes smiling gravely on
Ann. 4 have made il a rule never
TO take any case where I can't sin
cerely and whole heartedly lend my
best effort TO my client You're go
ing 10 have 10 count me a rival.
young man, even if I have a few
gray hairs.
Joe laughed. II as all a joke TO
him. But Ann felt a little thrill as
If the curtain OF the future had been
magically lifted for a second and she
had seen the chrysalis OF happy
girlhood dreams emerge into golden
butterflies OF life. tangible and real.
You make me think Of an ex-
quisite woodland flower, Miss Ann.
said Charlton Brooke softly as they
danced lightly away together "a
naturally beautiful flower. you know.
blooming among hot house blossoms
that Will soon fade. / am going TO
ask Miss Harrington's permission TO
show YOU my old home one Of these
bright spring days. There are just
such flowers as YOU make me think
OF, growing in my yard. Some
day" he said as if he had known
7 her for a long, long time Il would
/ like 90 see YOU mistress there"
There was something indefnably.
poignantly sweet in their compan-