Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-07-18

have done that write Q personal letter
to my sister. and another TO my cousin
the one with SIX children-and ex-
plain TO them that as an act of pa
triotism We ought TO refrain from gift
giving this year It's just an exchange
of lot Of junk" he went on. more
to himself than to Nancy. between a
Vt OF people that don't care two straws
~ each other. Then write a letter
70 ~ matron Of the orphan home-the
one my mother used to be SO much in
terssssd In I've previously ordered a
doll or book for each child. Tell them
mat feel that would be n needless
extravaganza. II they are absolutely
without necessities let them notify me.
and I'll send them q check But now
10 no time to waste money on mere
toys. Let the youngsters make dolls
out OF sticks and things. They will
enjoy them Just as much"
Nancy wrote these and q dozen or
so similar letters that Mr. Harrow die
tated, and gave no inkling of her own
attitude toward the contents Of the
letters. That night, when Harrow had
left rather earlier than usual. the let
tiers were still on Nancy's desk. and
when she left, a little later. the letters
were lying In a mail basket where II
might seem that they had been forgot
ten. but where, as a matter Of fact.
there was no danger of their being
mailed Nancy hurried from the Office
to the nearest public telephone booth.
called up Clarics and told her she
wanted to see her at once and would
board the next car toward her house.
She hurried TO Clancs's room and
talked with her for q short ten min
utes, and then hurried home, leaving
Clarice ample time for q more than
ordinarily elaborate toilet that night.
When Mr.. Harrow arrived at the
Wardhan house an hour later, for din
ner and q quiet little evening with
Oarics afterward, Clarice was In her
most bewitehins mood and Harrow had
nothing Of the sruffness that had char
acterizsd his manner at the ONCE dur
Ing the afternoon.
He had come with the half convic-
ton that that night he would definitely
ask Carice to marry him and demand
from her q definite answer. But when
he fell under the charm Of her CO.
Quetry. for Clarice was irresistible that
night, he was full determined, and he
was impatient Of the many courses Of
dinner and the moments that had to
be spent with Clarice's family before
they could gracefully md a seQuester-
ed spot alone.
When they were seated In the music
room-Clarice had made an excuse Of
wishing 10 show him some new rec
ords-he asked her point blank and
without wasting time In preiiminaries
whether she would marry him.
Clsrlce looked pcrpleIed. I'm afraid
We ought not TO think Of It," she said:
"at least. while the war lasts. Il would
mean 10 give each other q great deal Of
love. aud owing 70 war conditions. we
ought not 10 give all that do you
think so."
SIR. Harrow for the FIRST time that
evening recalled his afternoon al the
Office. and HE man that had dictated
the letters set!Ied now like p repulsive
shadow az his true self. Clarice OK
planned her friendship for Nancy Smith
and Nancy's hurried call that after
noon.
"Don'i think the less OF Nancy for
IT," begged Ciarice II asked her 10
let me know just what sort OF man
YOU are. and wouldn't let her tell you
that she knew me n is all my fault"
"If she realized how small I was in
writing those letters why didn't she
tell me?' demanded Harrow. why
did she post them?'
she didn't posi- them said Claric&
''They are locked In your once"
II was q thoroughly contrits. hum
bled sort 81 man that knelt before
Clariee's chair. III I'll promise TO give
twice - much this ChristmaS, and
promise never to be a spug again. Will
yos promise - marry msr' h begged
And Of course Clarics said yea"