The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-04-26
"a Newspaper
Clipping
o0
By SUSAN cLAoErr


per Syndicate.)
Hugh Mcintosh sorted his letters
rapidly. pausing for an instant to look
at the superscription upon a small.
square envelope. the handwriting of
which he did not recognize. This he
laid aside for the moment for more
pressing business and then forgot 1t.
This was strange, for 1t was an In
sistent thing, lying as 1t did alone upon
the desk In front Of him. Once his
eyes fell upon 1t and he stretched out
his hand to take 1t up but was inter-
rupted and not until he left the office,
hours later. was he conscious that the
letter was still unread.
He picked 1t up and slipped 1t into
his pocket, thinking to read 1t at his
leisure and again 1t was forgotten.
Yet he was neither careless nor for
getful man, but at this time he was
absorbed by an important case that
claimed all his energy and determine
ton to carry II to successful issue.
Beside this, he believed 1t to be an In
vitation which he had no time to ac-
cept.
Two months later as he was passing
the White House he collided with
woman In white who had suddenly
stopped In his path to read the suffrage
banner held aloft by very tired
looking girl. With an apology he was
about to pass on, when he caught
side view of the face under the broad
brimmed hat. "You," he said, stopping
short and holding out his hand. II
thought you were In California"
81 was until two months ago." Mary
Bowie answered, "and it Is good to be
back, even If my throat does contract
with an ache every time a uniform
passes me. War seemed farther away
put there, but here, where almost every
other man you meet is in khaki, 1t Is
very near"
"Yes," he said, looking at her with
appreciative eyes, "living in Washing
ton we are In the midst of things and
the war is brought very close. But
suppose we forget 1t for a time. Come
and take lunch with me. I know
place where they give you wonderful
rolls and delicious salad. That is, of
course, unless you prefer hotel"
"My tastes are still simple" she re-
piled with laugh. "Rolls and salad
sound good to a hungry woman"
at is rather a shabby little place."
he answered, almost In apology.
"What matter? Washington is a
lily of extremes. Two blocks up the
avenue from the White House is
shabbiness indeed. Walk down Seven
:eenth street until you reach the Cor
,oran Art gallery. What do you
pass? Gentility, nothing more until
you come to the wonderful group Of
buildings further on. That is the one
hing about Washington-its strong
contrasts"
II did not bring you to lunch to talk
about contrasts and extremes. I want
to hear about yourself. Why didn't
you let me know you were In town."
Don't you read the daily papersT
she asked carelessly. 81 believe I was
announced even to the details Of my
travelling dress, which was an old one,
~ the way, and did not deserve no
:oriety."
II never read the society news and
.rivolity does not sit well upon you,
ny dear young lady. What reason
lid you have for not sending me your
.ard"
"Are you sure did not?"
"Quite sure. 1t would have reached
ne If you had sent It,"
II forgot your address and did not
:hink to look in the directory. You
IAN give 1t to me now. II you WILL"
He looked at her steadily. "Are you
lutte sure that was the reason?"
"Why not? It is the best I can
:hink Of on the spur Of the moment"
the returned lightly.
"Why should there be q reason?" he
isked again.
"Why do you always look for one?
the countered back. "Think Of II as
woman's whim."
Neither whims nor frivolity be-
comes you," he replied shortly, "but
will give you my card" He drew
lat case from his pocket and, not find
ng what he wanted, laid several
papers upon the table. Uppermost on
he pile was the unopened letter re-
,eived two months before.
Mary Bowie's eyes widened, then
became expressionless as she glanced
from it to her companion, still search
ng for his elusive card. AS he raised
MS eyes they, also, were caught and
held by the square envelope.
81 forgot It," he said simply. "It
reached me when was absorbed In
an important case. OF course II was
nexcusable. i meant to read 1t when
had leisure, but whenever started to
open 1t I was interrupted. If you Will
pardon me will look over II now"
LET 1t wait. An hour or so will
now make little difference to your cor
respondent"
81 have never correspondent with a
woman In my life, and doubt II this
Is anything more important than an in
vitation."
She placed a hand over the letter,