Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-01
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE HANDSOME MAN
"OH. HELEN, want you to come
BY Stella l.. Cole

| want gou w NOhiN
" to the dance at the pavilion to
night. My cousin James from Brown.
who is coming down for a day or two,
will be there and do want you to meet
hip. He is just the dearest, handscmest
man ~
Helen shrugged her shoulders.
'Humph; handsome man, is ne? Say,
If there is any one thing in this world
for which | haven't the slightest use,
it is handsome man!
1t was a jolly crowd of girls who
entered the pavilion that evening to
which nothing but the lure of a dance
would have brought them that hot July
night.
well, isn't it about time for your
handsome cousin to arrive?" Helen
asked Sadie. at the end of half nm hour.
Helen crossed the room to speak to a
| friend, but glancing toward the door,
her gaze was suddenly riveted.S There
he stood, the handsome man! As her
! quick brain registered the details, she
realized that he was ali that Sadie had
claimed for him. And very much more
Tall and straight he stood. superb in
his physical strength, and with the
features of young god. Helcn's heart
almost ceased to throb. "No. Sadie
wasn't bluffing." she thought, "but l
have no desire to meet man us hand
some as he is: he is altogether too much
for me. l will make some sort of an
excuse to Sadie tomorrow" and she ac-
confpished a hasty exit by rear door.
Outside she turned toward the sea
which was booming on the ragged rocks.
As she neared the shore. large sharp
rock suddenly dislodged itself and fell
upon her foot. A sharp cry of rain
escaped her lips.
A young man suddenly emerged from
behind a nearby cliff. Beg par Ion,
lady. but are you hurt?"
"My foot" she faltered.
He was at her side in an instant.
'Oh. you really must let me assist
you." he begged.
Thanks. but ! wouldn't like to
bother you" she replied. my home
is near, and am sure ] can manage all
wight
But you really need my help he
insisted, and as they moved onward she
found that she was very grateful for
the support If his strong Fight arr,.
"But how often does it happen that
you are not at the pavilion ~ he asked
presently.
II might ask you the same question, "
she replied, but instead, I'll answer
yours. The fact is. | left the hall n
few moments ago to avoid meeting a
handsome man
Indeed - he exclaimed. How in =
tcresting Would you tell me about it?''
Surely. He is cousin of friend
of mine, and she wanted me to meet him
tonight, so to please her i came. But
after I got there, he came and stood in
the door, and he was so terribly hand
some that he-well, he simply fright
ened me. and so | ran away"
well, it must be unfortunate to be
so handsome as to scare a girl away
rather more so than being homely
enough to scare one away, | should
think. Would you mind telling me the
name of the poor fellow"
"Um-. Well, it seems to me, he
ought to be handsome as recompense
for being burdened with a name like
that. Don't you think so?'
They had reached her home now.
and at the door they stopped. "You
have done me a great service, she
said. "and I don't know how to thank
YOU. But won't you tell me your
name?"
"Why. I am afraid it wouldn't in
terest YOU, he said. as he looked at her
keenly with his kind eyes. Q
Indeed it would she assured him,
for | am going to consider you my
friend. Mine is Helen Benner. Now
yours, please ~
"Wcll, if you insist" he replied,
Thought il you don't like it, don't
blame me. My full name is James
Alexander Jefferson.
For a moment Helen stood as if par
alyzed but when she came to herself
the man was laughing. Some joke
certainly :" he exclaimed. Ran into
the arms. as it were. of the very man
from whom you were rupning away
! Rut MS for me. no offense. and no apol
| opies needed. I am delighted to know
that there is at least one girl who
thinks | am handsome, event it is only
nv cousin. and also that there is one
girl sensible enough not to be senti
mental over a handsome man. 1t is like
n breath of fresh air, / assure you ~
The following day, Sadie called on her
friend in a somewhat agitated state Of
mind. lawfully sorry about your foot, y
she said. but I don't know but what
it served you right, for running away
like that. Whatever became of you
/ anyway
"Oh. | was enjoying myself all right
But tell me, who was the Greek goo
who came and stood in the door as
left:"
THAT? Oh. that was Tommy Wat
son. Rather a nice looking boy, ism
! he?"
James Alexander called that night tc
inquirc about the injured foot. And the
next evening he called. And he con
tinued to call during his stay, which
mysteriously became prolonged. ant
when he finally left it was with Helen''
promise that she would become Mrs
James Alexander Jefferson.
The next complete novelette--MOlasse!
Candy.