The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1918-08-16

.Sss s a..E
tssops right. i9Es. DY tie Mcclure Newspa-
pos Ssndirale)

II
nlsss.ing runs liISsa.
Ytsa SOC. my dear sister no kind Of
gsirl scan interest me. You have tried
eat every brand an to no purpose.
liaarfSss;. I shudder, vet every time
| think CT that Smith girl with the
J SIX face, watching my every move +
with hsr adoring eyes. III I had to I
egstIre that longer than week Ie (
be dead one And that vinegar
faced Miss Clapp, With her woman's |
rights. MY hair is streaked with gray |
today, as result of having her In
f1icted on me for two days.
And Miss Munyon, the heiress--
Helen, where was your love for me-
when sou invited me to look after that
damseI for perfectly good week end
Or was 1t your sweet way of teach
! Ing me that all Is not gold that gilt
ters.
FILLED with apprehension on account
Of my many narrow escapes, mnst
decline your kind invitation for the
coming week end, and your newest
protege, Miss Longley, will have to
be thrust upon some other poor VIC
tim.
How are the liddos? win run down
to see them as soon as your guests
have gone, and / can venture forth In
safety.
By-by, sister mlne-and pardon me
for being happy confirmed bachelor.
Lovingly yours, BOB
ss0f all the conceited impossible. ex-
asperating brothers, Bob Thornton Is
the worst" Helen Arnold threw the
letter into the hearth fire.
That afternoon in the telegraph Of
ficesof the city, however, the same Bob
VAS doing strange thing. He was ac-
tually staring at very pretty vision
In Il pink linen suit aud large pink hat
His thoughts were Interrupted by the
young lady's voice. II wish to send
telegram, please. VIII you take II, to
Mrs. Helen Arnold. Mountainyille, n
H?'
aGreat heavens" exclaimed Bob
smy sister Helen--wonder who she is.
Needless to say. he waited anxiously
for the message.
Dear Helen, 1t ran. Cannot come
Mountainville about 8 30.
(signed) ALICE LoNGLEY.'
s'Alice Iongley Bob Thornton,
you're fool, and everything that goes
with IT. But without further reflection
he grasped q pad and a second mes
sage was sent to his sister. Have
changed my mind. Will arrive $50
train. BOB"
If she still bore any resentment for
Bob's first letter, she had ample re-
venge In the three days which fol-
lowed
Bob was the devoted slave of Alice
Longley. who with her sweet quiet
manner of refusing his every attention
nearly drove him mad When after
gnaneuvering for all he was worth to
accomplish 1t, he was finally chosen as
her escort for the bungalow party and
dance, he was happy for the first time
since his arrival.
But at the last moment the chill
dren's maid received a call to come al
once to the bedside OF a dying sister
and Mrs. Arnold did not know what to
do She could not stay at home, since
she was the hostess of the occasion.
Much to Bobs dismay, Alice Longles
sweetly asked If she might stay with
& the children She would much prefer
4 1t to going to the dance, and she knew
Mr.. Thornton would be glad to excuse
her, for-with smile at Bob-there
were 50 many other girls who were
waiting to dance with him.
About an hour after the departure oi
the party for the dance, Bob Thornton
returned disconsolate looking, and an
grily chewing the end of IN unlightet
cigar.
He found Alice sitting In big II
brary chair---havng put the young
sters to sleep, mending pair Of tin,
socks.
She was very much surprised to se'
him, and much more surprised, whel
with sudden movement he came for
ward and without word, lifted he
I'm his arms from the big chair, IN,
kissed her soundly on either cheek.
."There,s' he exclaimed, Now ! sup
pose you will hate me worse than ever
but Just couldn't help 1t Miss Long
ley---Alice please forgive me- as h
saw the look Of pained Indignation i
s her eyes II can only excuse myseli
hy telling you the truth. / love you
how much only God knows, and whe
came upon you suddenly, after
miserable hour Of longing for YOU
81 well please don't ask me to explai
any more. Only tell me. dear coul
Il you would yor, let me try to make yo
81 love me. Please give me chance."
Alice Longley's eyes We're sInilin
now, even though the lashes were we
MIR. Thornton Bob she REPLIED
"you do not need chance. / hay
loved you from the first day--when
saw you In the telegraph office tryin
b In yonr clumsy mans way to disguis
ysur curiosity over my telegram. Bl
had been warned Of your heartles
ness with women. and was determine
Is that you should not add my name
the list of conquests."
What Bob Thornton replied to tfs
M% graerss and how the rest OF that eyel