The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1918-01-04

again, ueF cOlOT TlSluS. Sno was SIdu,
glad, that Murray Andrews would see
her this way-among these gay, So
phisticated people. He had been in
Oldport the summer before, on a
sketching trip, and they had become
very good friends. Only he had gone
away without saying anything. Ellen
had imagined that there must be
another girl in the city. She had long
ago resolved to forget him.
Her cousin Rob opened his eyes wide
when he saw Ellen, and when they
arrived at the club he acted the
part of a very gallant and proud es-
cort. It was new to Ellen, this feeling
that people were proud Of her, but it
gave her unaccustomed courage and
ease of manner. Dorothy and Louise
smiled at her when they passed in the
dance. Rob picked her the very incest
partners and saw more than one young
man looking at her with a glance that
was Enthusiastically admiring. Indeed,
she was the prettiest girl in the room,
and quite the belle Of the occasion.
Murray Andrews was presented af-
ter while; he was to have a waltz
with her. He looked very different
here in evening dress from the rather
young artist of the summer before.
They waltzed for a while il silence,
and then he spoke abruptly.
LETS go and sit in the conserva-
tory" he suggested. eve ought to be
talking tOgether-not dancing"
They found a secluded spot, and he
no. 1,t,7
self.
GLOW did you come here, you little
wildfower?, I never could have in
agined you in such society"
"Why?" she asked, little piqued.
you're too good for it, too fragile
and unspoiled. However, 1 can't say
that you do not grace the room better
than any other girl on the floor. l
suppose you'll get to be like all the
rest ia time"
'Of course" she agreed, and laugh
ed again.
They talked for while, about things
that did not matter, and then another
partner came to bear her off. Ellen
was conscious Of a feeling of bitter
disappointment. Murray was friendly
enough; but the girl loved him; she
was conscious only of something with
in her that cried OUT for more than
friendship, more than admiration.
''Why didn't you say you knew Muir
ray Andrews?" accused Dorothy when
they got home. "He told me about it
himself, and asked if he could call
some day. I'm glad one member of our
family captured the celebrity"
The girls were going to tea next
afternoon, but Ellen conscious of her
inadequate wardrobe pleaded head
ache, and stayed at home. In fact
she Gid have a headache, or heart
ache, Which is usually defined in terms
Of lesser physical ailments. She could
not help thinking about Murray An
drews. She hated herself for weak
ness; she wished for a chance to dc
battle with herself, and try to over
come her feeling toward him. It was
so evident that he cared nothing fol
her, and never would!
Ellen sat alone in the library, wher
there came a ring at the bell, and thu
maid brought in Murray Andrews
card. Ellen gave her hair a hasty pa
before the mirror, and wished that sh,
had not been wearing a Bingham frock
Why, she looked just like last sum
mer in the country! And Murra,
was so very correct, with his sticl
and the gardenia in his button-hole
The girl felt pail of shyness descen,
upon her, after all, she was not of hi
kind.
my cousins are not at home," sh
told him. Il am very sorry"
''It was you came to see,' he said
II had not hoped for such luck as t
find you alone. Such belle as yo
were last night"
"Don't!'' she cried "You're teasin
me. I'm not belle, and I was neve
meant to be. Can't you see I'm jus
' the same old country Ellen you kney
t last summer? There's no use my pre-
tending to be any different I'm not.
: I'm glad" he said. Last night
( was half afraid-you seemed so beau
: tiful, so sophisticated, so unlike tn
). little you had learned to love-"
+ Don't say that" she breathed. "Yo
: haven't any right to love-
i "Why not, when I do love you?
t came around this afternoon just t
tell you so; that is, if you were m
). own sweet Ellen, instead of the wor
d derful young beauty Of last nigh
4 Didn't you know, child; didn't yo
r guess, that I loved you? Why, I wa
v coming back to Oldport on purpose t
q win you! And 1 wanted you as yo
It are-sweet and simple. One see
y enough of naughty girls with wonder
+ full clothes, but there are not MANY NIX
you-as natural and unaffected as Go
It made them. When will you MARI
Il me, Ellen?"
Il "Just think of our country cousi
s carrying off the lion of the season
e remarked Dorothy to her sister lat
y that evening. "Ellen's a wonder ,