South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-03
The ELUSIVE Pnze
By Katherine Hapson.

shoulders as if dismissing the sub
ject. Betty hurried on 10 the drug
store where she was to meet Alice
Graham. friend with whom she
had promi sed to go TO the matinee.
She foun, Alice had not come. so
while she waited. ordered an ice
cream soda. She was sitting at
table eating. when with a start of
amazement. she saw reflected in the
opposite mirror a man who looked
like Guy Stafford. She looked again
yes it was none other. He took
seat at a table near the door. After
his order was given, he looked
around the room in the half-smiline,
abSent-minded way she so wells re-
memberel. How handsome he was
with his clean-cut features, and
patrician air.
She wondered if she could slip
away without detection. But she
was penned in as her table was
toward the end of the room and
she would have TO pass him going
out. She knew it was only a matter
Of time before he would see her If
she stayed
She sat nervously toying with her
ice cream spoon, and il was only a
I few moments before the inevitable
happened. She saw the light Of rec
cgnizition come into his face. and he
I quickly crossed the room with the
old gladness of greeting. He sat
/ down and nothing would do but she
must have something more 10 eat
TO keep him company. he explained
how he had just a few hours ago
arrived in the city.
/ But he soon saw that something
was amiss and presently the trou-
/ BILE came out. He learned that she
was hurt because his letters had
/ ceased to come and she learned in
turn that he was hurt because she
had not answered the letters he
vowed he had written. They could
only attribute the delay 10 wrong
/ addresses or miscarried mail. For
a long time they sat and talked OBJ
livious to their surroundings. People
came and went and the ice cream
melted i'm their dishes. but they paid
TO heed. Betty found her resentment
swept away on the tide of Guys
magnetic personality. How wonder
full a prize happiness seemed!
At this juncture Alice Graham
hurriedsin: Il know you must be all
out of patience-and I'm afraid it's
too late 10 go 10 the matinee" she
began breathlessly, then seeing Guy
and the embarrassed expression on
their faces. she added laughingly:
But I don't believe you missed me
at ALI"
While Alice w : explaining about
the string of callers swho had de-
tanned her. Betty's thoughts were
brought back to realities. 1t was
nearly time for Dr. Ormsby's Office
hours TO close-and he would get
her letter.
If | only had not sent it-he's
too good and fine 10 be disappOint-
ed. I wish I could prevent him from
getting it, It's positively indecent TO
be engaged to two men at the same
time"
she had promised Guy that he
might call that evening, SO now she
excused herself on the plea of inn
portant errands TO do. and slipped
away. leaving Guy to the voluble
Alice.
Her little wrist watch told her it
was nearly closing time She walk
ed SO fast that she was quite out
of breath when she reached the Of
fee. There were three patients
waiting and she impauently waited
until they had had their turn.
HAS the letter come ." she Won
dered over and over in a fever Of
impotence.
When she was al last admitted.
DR.. Ormsby said: Well Betty. you
don't look like patient. IL seems
good 10 see someone so blooming
and bright" His smile was singular
lv gentle and reassuring though
when in repose his face was always
a little stern. What can ] do for
YOU ." he asked kindly.
II came on queer Grand" Her
eyes fell on a pile of letters on the
table. Yes. they were still unopened.
She drew a long breath of relief.
Resolutely. she raised her dark eyes,
a pleading quality in their depth.
CT want YOU 10 let me see If the
letter 7 mailed YOU today is in that
ple2'
He took up the letters sorted
them over. and gave her the one in
: her handwriting Her heart gave a