Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-03-09
GOOD IMPRESSION
BY AGNES G. BRoeAN.


aisle to meet his sisters new friend.
The few occasions upon which he had
been privileged to enjoy that young
woman's companionship, had not salts
fed Gerry's eager state of mind, for
his was an unmistakable case of love
at first sight.
The moment the girl raised her eyes
in acknowledgment of his sisters
words of Introduction, Gerry's heart
had leaped from its normal position, as
it seemed to have acquired habit Of
leaping ever since at sight of her.
Gloria would be going TO the city to-
morrow, Gerry's sister had told him,
and he might take advantage of the
long ride into town TO create good inn
preston. So Gerry paused before the
last seat down, and raised his hat in
apparently surprised delight.
$50 glad to see you," he said, point
ing to the vacant seat at the girls side.
'fAIay II" And Miss Gloria nodded in
bright assent.
1.-THE time win pass more quickly
with a companion" she said.
To such propitious beginning Gerry
bent his best endeavOr. How could he
please her, win her admiring favor;
Her nearness was most distracting.
Surely he had not realized before hei
loneliness. Sidewise the girl looked al
him.
aren't you going to. talk?' she
asked.
Gerry cleared his throat. He must
be very careful in brOaching a subject
of conversation. "Gloria is so well in.
formed" his sister had warned him,
"don't make the mistake of starting
any topic you're not sure Of" What
was he sure of? Gerry did not know.
In embarrassed despair he drew the
morning paper from his pocket shaking
out its folds.
''Bolsheviki," he began, reading from
the printed headlines.
ooh please" the girl protested, 'T'm
so heartsick of war. Just here, flying
along through these glistening snowy
field-can't we talk of something else?"
Hurriedly Gerry turned the page He
had blundered at first effort. Over In
this section of woman stuff he might
find surer ground. Gloria leaned closer
TO smile with him at an absurd pic
tured fashion. He felt encouraged to
read feelingly a sentimental poem, but
the girl laughed.
Doesn't seem to fit in with my mood
today" she told him. Then her eyes
took on a CLINT of interest. "Whats
the story?" she asked.
Gerry read the title disgustedly.
Roses and Thorns. BY Richard Gold
en- OF course" he added, ''if there is
anything particularly inane, that fell
low writes it; sometimes / read his
silly yarns on the way home-such
rot"
"Why," inquired his companion, "do
you read them if they are so foolish?"
Gerry shrugged his shoulders-"To
pass the time, suppose" he said ;
"but can you fancy person like that
for-well, lifemate?"
"Why not?" questioned Miss Gloria,
wide-eyed.
Romance is all very well in it's
way" Gerald told her, ''but to be con-
stantly associated with one of these
dreamer of dreams'-not for mel"
Gazing from the car window the girl
considered. "The poor writer may be
a well-meaning kindly SOUL" she
unused, mot as aggressive perhaps as
some conceited young business men,"
Gerry was subdued; the rest of the
ride passed in strange intermittent
silence.
Miss Gloria held out her hand with
q frigid little smile.
GOOD afternoon, Mr.. Thompson"
she bowed in dismissal. Gerry strobe
along modify. He had intended to in
vite her to lunch with him during this
shopping tour in the city and now it
was all ended. That 'Gknock" of hers
about a "concelted young business
man." had evidently been given to
chide his assurance. Well, he would
pass the afternoon at a movie, and
meet her on the train going home.
Girls were queer. He might then in
humbleness be able to reinstate him.
self. His eyes sought her out before
she had fairly selected her seat upon
the homeward journey, but an intel
lectuallooking youth forestalled him
as her companion. 1t was only at the
station before the last, that the man
lingering unnecessarily over the girls
hand, babe her good night and depart
ed. Gerry's humbleness had vanished
as he dropped into the coveted seat.
81 suppose you will be able to bear
my presence for the few remaining
miles," he remarked sulkily.
won't bother me at ALL" the girl
assured him, "rm going to read the
story in the paper-Richard Golden's
rotten stuff you know"
Gerry leaned suddenly forward.
''Why," he asked severely, ''were you
so cut up over what I said about that
fool writer-anything to do with that
fellow who has just gomez"
Miss Gloria looked straight into his
eyes: NO." she replied, Il am the
fool writer I'm Richard Golden"
For a long moment they sat gazing
at each other.
Gerry murmured helplessly: "Can
you ever forgive my senseless prattle?
Some time viii you let me try to teach
you to care-as care, Gloria?"
From beneath her lashes the girls
eyes twinkled up at him.
at may be possible" she said
thoughtfully, shat all young business