The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-12-11
FATE?
BY MINNIE M. TOWNSEND.

DO you really believe that, Dave?"
The big, athletic fellow, lolling on
/. the hot beach sand, turned toward his
companion a little bit impatiently.
"Sure. If two persons are meant for
each other they will come together.
Clothes and fine looks have nothing
to do with it. What is to be, will be-"
The girl at bis side shrugged her
thin shoulders aEd skipped a stone
into the tranquil waters as If to dis
miss the subject. A distant bell
changed and the man arose with alac-
rity. First call for dinner Coming?
No; well, so long, then
She watched him swing easily down
the beach. How typical of his attitude
toward her were those last words. At
first when they had met at the sea-
shore resort she had been happy in
his jolly companionship, but now she
was no longer content TO be merely
"kiddoed" and "solonged."
II what he had expOunded was true,
there was no chance at all for her.
When her boss had granted a we'll
earned two months vacation she had
thought only of the long, lazy rest she
could enjoy, and had come prepared
only for that sort Of time. Just re-
Gently she had Begun to realize that
her life's happiness was at stake. Da-
vid could argue brilliantly, but Anne
was fully conscious that despite his
latest argument he paid much more at
tention to certain fluffy-clad feminine
creatures at the hotel than he did to
her own plain drab self.
Suddenly she jumped to her feet, a
little smile of determination about her
lips. Ocean Beach would see plain
Anne Brown no more-a new Annette
Browne would grace the pleasure re-
sort.
David scarcely noted the two days
absence of his little chum. but when
she did rcappear he was somewhat
perpleXed and very much aware of her
presence. He did not voice the adj
miraton in his eyes, but Anne's intui-
ton told her that he had taken stock
of her trim green linen suit which
y ent so well with her dark hair, now
displayed to advantage under the soft
green outing hat. That evening she
wore the new frilly pink Organdie and
this time David paid her the first COM
, pliment since their acquaintance. With
arms akimho he viewed her from shiny
hair to white satin slipper. My, how
fine we look, ne said boyishly. Anne.
/ never knew before just how becom'
ing pink is 70 YOU
NO wonder" Anne told herself
Grossly. Il never wore it before"
The long summer days drifted by,
and before many days had gone be
yOnd recall Anne realized that her
dream was coming true. She was no
longer Just Dawes pal, but very near
to being something infinitely Sweeter
Put somehow Anne was unhappy. A
little cnawing worm of suspicion en-
tered her heart. Dave had never real
ly cared before she had donned all her
new fnery. arranged her hair becom'
ingly and affected certain little airs of
her own. The solution must be that
he was merely in love with her new
adornments.
A miserable time followed this over
towering discovery, and soon her APP
parent establishment began, She re
fused his invitations, ignored him
carelessly, and finally cut him from
her list of friends. One week remained
of her vacation, and these last days
she spent mostly by herself, reading
or muSing on the peryersity of man
kind. She longed TO be back in the
cool sanctuary Of the Office, in a white
waist and neat dark skirt. The sham
Of life smote her tragically.
The last day was rainy and cold.
Defantly Anne donned her very old
est clothes and went for walk out
over the breakwater rocks Rounding
a huge rock suddenly, she came face
10 face with very woebegone-iooking
David. Surprise and CONSERVATION
halted her moment, but regaining
her self-composure. she turned to re
trace her steps. David was at her
side in a moment "Anne this seems
to be the opportuSe moment for an ex-
PLANTATION. What on earth have done
to merit such displeasure on your
part?"
Annes mouth cured sarcasticaliy.
I'D much rather not discuss it,"
David planted himself between the
two rocks where she would have to
pass "Well, prefer to discuss it right
now. 1t isn't many decades since you
and | were the best of chums and now
i don't know what happened, but we
are as far away as the two poles"
He looked very bOyish and eager as
he stood there in the rain, and Anne's
hard little heart finally unlocked and
she told him the whole tale. $50 you
see. David" she said in conclusion. 81
disproved your argument to my own
triumph and disgust. II leave to-
morrow"
You do! How very near you came
70 shipwreclling our lives. Anne. Your
little dress-up farce hasn't disproven
anything. Why, I've cared for you
right from the beginning. Didn't you
know that, dear?"
Anne shook her head. stubbornly