The Parker post., 1918-02-09

AAAAs
Ellen dropped the brooch she was
pinning into her dress.
Murray Andrews?" she repeated.
And she, looked at herself In the glass
again, her color rising. She was glad.
glad that Murray Andrews would see
her this way-among these gay, So
phisticated people. He had been in
Oldport the summer before, on
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 very gallant and proud es-
cort. 1t 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
poIt tACIS, anu dW u1OIc tudA OAC yOuAS
man looking at her with 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 a 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. while in silence,
and then he spoke abruptly.
Lets go and sit In the conserva-
tory" he suggested. "We ought to be
talking together-not dancing"
They found secluded spot and he
at once began to ask her about her
self.
"How did you come here, you, little
wildfower? I never could have I'M
agined you In such society"
"Why?" she asked, little piqued.
"You're too good for it, too fragile
and unspoiled. However, I can't say
that you do not grace the, room better
than any other girl on the floor.
suppose you'll get to be like all the
rest In time."
"Of course" she agreed. and laugh
ed again.
They talked for q 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
h,1f II
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 a tea next
afternoon, but Ellen, conscious of her
inadequate wardrobe, pleaded head
ache, and stayed at home. In fact,
she did have headache, or q 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 chance to do
battle with herself, and try to over
come her feeling towaed him. 1t was
SO evident that he cared nothing for
her, and never would!
Ellen sat alone in the library, when
there came ring at the bell, and the
maid brought in Murray Andrews
card. Ellen gave her hair hasty pat
before the mirror, and wished that she
had not been wearing gingham frock,
Why, she looked just like last sum-
mer In the country! And Murray
was so very correct, with his stick,
and the gardenia In his button-hOle.
The girl felt pail Of shyness descend
upon her, after all, she was not Of his
kind.
"My cousins are not at home" she
told him. II am very sorry"
1T was you came to see," he said.
II had not hoped for such luck as to
find you alone. Such a belle as you
We're last night"
"Don't!" she cried. you're teasing
AAA~' LII Act q OCIIC, ouu was never
meant to be. Can't you see I'm just
the same old country Ellen you knew
last summer? There's no use my pre-
tending to be any different. I'm not"
I'm glad" he said. Last night I
was half afraid-you seemed 80 beau
tiful, so sophisticated, so unlike the
little you had learned to love-"
"Don't say that" she breathed. "You
haven't any right to love-"
why not, when I do love you?
came around this afternoon just to
tell you so; that Is, If you were my
own sweet Ellen, instead Of the won
derful young beauty Of last night.
Didn't you know, child; didn't you
guess. that I loved you? Why, was
coming back to Oldport on purpose to
win you! And I wanted you as you
are-sweet and simple One sees