Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-18
DAILY NOVELETTE,
ON YOUR KNEES
ELIzABETH was a very bright an
BY MARJORIE HATHORNE

EIIIABETH was very bright and
- cheerful sort of person. Always
wore n smile and had pleasant word
for every one in all kinds of weather.
Bruce watched her as she sat at hoi
typewriter, busiy engaged on the let
tcrs he had just dictated. He won
dered if she had ever been in love or
if such thoughts had ever penetrated
into her sunny heart.
Donald Bruce was now at the head
of the firm. Bruce & Son, and, since
the death of the elder Bruce, Don s
whole life had been, apparently, wrap
ped up in the business. He and his
father had been almost inseparable
since Don's boyhood: they had read and
played and gone to ball games together
as Don grew older they had belonged to
| the same clubs and fraternities and
/ later Don was taken into partnership
with his father. Then came the terri
bic blow of his fathers death. and since
then, Don had lived, more and more by
himself. withdrawing from the clubs
and taking no interest in the world
around him.
Elizabeth turned from her desk to
ask Il question but, seeing the gloomy
expression on Brucc's face, she hesi-
tatCd. Now, in spite of her calm aud
CarcfrCe exterior. Elizabeth loved DON
aid Bruce, and had loved him since she
first came to the Office, and, secretly
haG hoped that some day he might
return her love.
Because of this fact she was always
very careful not to intrude unpleas-
anty, but today something within her
which she could not resist prompted
her to speak:
Donald Bruce! If you will pardon
the impertincnce of your secretary.
wish you would tell me why you al
ways sit in n cloud of gloom, instead
of coming out into the sunshine. Try
making some one little happier and
see if you are not happier yourself"
Good advice, Elizabeth, but there is
just one person in the world whom
want to make happy, and that person is
perfectly happy without my aid"
AS Bruce was speaking a chill seemed
to clutch the heart of Elizabeth. An
other girl. She had never thought of
that.
"Iou-you mcan-er-a-a girl?
You mean you love u girl and She
she refuses you?' Go Elizabeth this
seemed impossible that any one couldn
love this man,
Yes, that is pretty nearly what l
mean" Bruce replied. "Although she
has never actually refused me, for as
matter of fact l haven't yet mus
tered up courage enough to ask her
"Of all the idiots. Donald Bruce"
exploded Elizabeth. "Why don't you
wake up? She may be eating her heart
out for love of you, but what girl will
show it! She is not going to throw
herself at your head. Don't l know?'
she exclaimed as Bruce tried to inter
rupt. II do know. You are always
commenting on my sunny disposition
and carefree life, yet, we'll it sounds
silly to say it, but it does mean so
much in ones life, and to the one ex
periencing it it is very serious thing
but l am in love, too, hopelessly so,
for my love is not returned" SO say
ing, Elizabeth turned toward the win
dow to hide her face. fearing she was
betraying too much of her feelings.
Then she felt her arms gripped as
with bands of steel as Don turned her
around facing him.
elizabeth" he said in voice from
which the hope and joy of living seemed
to have gone, but in its place tender
ness. Elizabeth do you mean you have
given your heart to some one? Tell me
who he is and I'll make him love you,
or-or, break his neck Don't YOU
know, dear girl, it is you love? l have
loved you since the day you came into
this Office. Forgive me for telling you
this. know it is useless and l have
no right, but | cant help it, / love you
so. But your happiness is more to me
than anything else in the world. l cant
understand how any one can help low
! ing you; there must be some mistake
Can't I help? Tell me who he is and
| will bring him here on his knees"
Elizabeth had been half turned away
while Don was speaking. Now she
turned toward him with a CLINT of mis-
chief in her gray eyes and said, Get
down on your knees, then!'
Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Elizabeth !" It
was all Bruce could say as he looked
into her uplifted face and read the
truth in her eyes. Then down on his
knees he dropped and kissed the hand
he was holding so tightly. But not long
did he stay in that position. He sprang
to his feet and took her in his hungry
arms.
After a few minutes he whispered in
her ear. 'I'm glad I won't have to
break any ones neck, but I ought to
have mine twisted for being so SLOW"
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