Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-20
DAILY NOVELETTE, I
"a
REUBEN
BY GLADYS PLUMMER
EOuR of Henry Simpsons daughter

hand.
"Daughtcr." said Mr.. Sampson,
clearing his throat as was his habit
when about to make an important an
nounccment, eve just had a letter
from Josiah Lane. His son is coming
TO Portland to visit relatives and We
must do something to entertain him."
"Wcll," reported Leila, her face
suddenly burning with angry surmiscs,
"I'd like to know what we can do?"
eve can have dance and dinner
party aftcrward. said her mother. who
always before had loathcd entertaining.
"Of course we cam" agreed her
father. Hes smart lad Josiah tells
me he's doing well at law. Hes the
only child and Josiah is pretty well
| fXPd.'
Now Lclia's surmises became rooted
suspicious. :,
"Whats his name?" she inquired
abstractcdly.
Reuben" answered her father in
defiant tone.
Leila frowrcd. "IIis name sounds
about as countryfied as his father
looked when he visited us ten years
ago. she said scornfully.
That night in her room she chuckled
TO herself as she visioned Reuben Lane
from Sandy Creek leading her to the
altar.
She looked at herself critically in the
glass. 'IIow do ! know that he win
! ask me to marry him, even if it is his
fathers and my fathers wiSh?'
'Lcia," said her mother next morn
ing, your hair is very becoming in
that French twist. 1t shows the con-
tour of your head, which is lovely"
Even her father looked over his paper
and gruntod approvingly.
Did you see the pink charmcusc in
the window of Smith & Eaton's? went
on her mother; "thc one with the tunic
of gold beaded net and narrow under
skirt. | wonder if that wouldn't be
nice for you?'
Il don't need it." objected Leila.
Yes you do, dear pink is your color
and you haven't anything. pink now
except your little cotton dresses"
Leila felt the net tightening about
her But, like a lamb to slaughter, she
followed along to Smith & Eatons and
came home dutifully with the pink
gown under one arm and desperation
in her heart.
AT s O'Clock the following night the
doorbcll rang and Leila heard her
| fathers hearty voice: "Wcll. well, my
boy. SO this is my old friend Josiah's
SON.
Leila hurried to her room as an idea
| popped into her head.
Her mother was away, so she need
not fear her comment. She hastily dug
out one of her sisters old dresses, about
| four sizes too small for her, and put it
on. together with pair of Dutchy
shoes about three sizes too large Her
hair was combcd out straight and the
| lovely contour of her head was well
hidden under the immense pompadour
roll which reached all the way round.
She switched off the light. ran down
the stairs and, trembling, stood in the
parlor door. Her father and Reuben
rose. Then for few seconds Leila
forgot everything. The piano and chairs
whirled. the walls and pictures whirled
and out of the general whirl her
fathers voice reached her with the
words of introduction and she found
herself looking at the handsomest man
she had ever seen.
He was in full evening dress and
everything pto date.
! In a flash she adored Reuben Lane
in another she hated him for being an
onlooker at her hideousness
Leila lived through the evening,
which was more than she at first
thought she could do. Once more back
in her room she jerked off the old dress.
tore it in two pieces and threw it in
the closet.
| She dropped into a chair with her
face in her hands. Il must see Reuben
Lane clothed in my right senses and
my best dress, but how is it going to
be accomplished?
Just after breakfast the next morn
ing the telephone rang.
1t was Ella Loring, where Reuben
was visiting. 81 am inviting about
thirty young people for an informal
dance this evening to meet Cousin Reu-
ben. Will you Gomez"
! Would she? She flew up two stairs
at time. The despsed pink char
meuse was slipped joyfully from its case
and the satin slippers Ia match. Her
hair was dressed in the becoming French
twist and little curls. fell carelessly
about her face. Y
why, Leila Sampson, you're a per-
feet picture" said Ella that evening as
she removed her wraps.
"Sh! Don't call me Sampson. I
want you to introduce me to your
cousin as Miss Curtis"
Come along, then. There goes the
bell"
Reuben Lane bowed low. Miss
Curtis" he repeated after Ella and
showed not trace of recognition. After
a most enjoyable evening Leila was
waiting for a taxi to take her home.
"Must you go?" asked Reuben Lane.
"I'm afraid l must. ] wish the time
wouldn't fly so quickly" answered Le-
liza. Reuben's face frightened, MAY I
see you home?" he asked. "Y-e-s,"
she stammered, too happy to think how
it might complicate matters to. have
Miss Curtis left at the Sampson gate.
He closed the door and sat down be-