The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-05-15
Her Choice
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE
csp, hsht. 1915. By Western Nswspspes U.iSsJ

There was spirit In her, too, Tor she
CONFRONTED Arthur Randaii, ioutisn
iad OF hfteen' with blazing eyes
nusneu cheek ana "hi'e' ue''c"'e
hanus ciehcheu'
You great stupid!' she quavereu'
LOOK at my scarf. wringlhs wet
And-you coward "heh 'he pi'hs
pent you thought only OF yourseii. anu
iet go OF me ana jumped ior UT! ANU
ana III hndnt oeeh QUICK an" h''nu'e
would nave gone into the orook,
ana Erma Bruce turned her oaeh
squarely upon the cuiprit
where you goihgF ne chai,enseu,
am going TO walk 10 uhe oio
pridge. eaten me waning your com,
pany or trusting 10 your care again
They were children OF wealthy par,
ents, neighpors' ana un''i arthur nau
got into domineering ways hau peeh
close companions.
To get home from rambie they
had evaded the bridges spanning Two
brooks and trusted to a narrow plank
to help a short cut home, for Arthur
was disagreeable ana Erina cross anu
pettish.
Hold on!'' he objected. as she
started of. you promised kiss II
I got across that plank"
Come and get It," flashed back
Erma. and as the callow youth ap-
proached her hand described a sharp
circle. He drew back with NUT
ter of rage, nursing his singing
cheek.
"If you're ever my wife. I'll make
you pay for that!" he snarled.
IF ever am, I deserve to bel"
cried Erma disalainfully. She rounded
a clump Of bushes and hesitated. An
other boy stood I'm her path. He was
totally unlike the dandified Arthur.
"onIy n common boy" but she smiled
upon him.
you look tired" said waldron
Pearce. IT'S a good mile TO the
bridge. and you save that by fordlng
the second brook. It's quite shallow
just now, and II you like I'll see that
you get across without spelling those
pretty slippers"
"How will your" catechized Erma.
"rIl carry you. Don't fear. I'll
not drop you nor leave you In mid
stream"
He was not Of her set. His father
was only an ordinary mIllwright, but
Erma walked by his side hoping that
Arthur saw them. When they reached
the second brook he was stumbling
along behind them.
"If you please" spoke waldron,
and he lifted Erna in his arms. She
did not demur except to tell him he
would wet his shoes and stockings. but
he only laughed at that and his color
ran high at the contact Of those pref
~ arms clasping his neck. confidng-
ly. Then Erma thanked him as he
landed her high and dry beyond the
brook. And then mischievous
twinkle came into her eyes as she saw
Arthur In full view watching them.
you may kiss me. you brave boy!"
she spoke, In voice purposely
raised. II love brave boys. Good-by.
and thank you" and she darted home
wards with a hooking laugh, meant
for the discomfted Arthur.
The slap Arthur soon forgot. for
ne lacked sensitiveness and saw little
Of Erma for four years.
His father had died and Arthur
was put In place as manager of his
business. As to Waldron he was a
shop foreman, earning liberal sal.
airy. but not mingllng much socially.
One day Erma was driving her
Limousine when II broke down direct
ly In front OF the Pearce home. a
sight OF the open door or rear struc-
ture used by Waldron as shop. in
fiuenced her to hope that she might
command ready mechanical aid. She
left the machine and passed through
the yard. She halted at the echo OF
familiar voices.
II will give you twenty thousand
dollars for your invention" sounded
the voice OF Arthur. ut is indispens-
able to our plant and ] viii take the
risk Of the contrivance turning out I'm
practicable"
my price is one million dollars"
came the clear. inclsive declaration