The Meeker herald., 1919-08-16
"A Newspaper
Clipping
@0
By SUSAN cLAoETT


rapidly, pausing for an instant to look
at the superscriptlon upon small.
square envelope, the handwriting OF
which he did not recognize. This he
laid aside for the moment for more
pressing business and then forgot 1t.
This was strange, for 1t was an In
sIstent thing, lying as 1t did alone upon
the desk In front Of him. Once his
eyes fell upon 1t and he stretched out
his hand to take 1t up but WINS inter
rupted and not until he left the office,
hours later, was he conscious that the
letter was still unread.
He picked 1t up and slipped 1t Into
his pocket, thinking to read 1t at his
leisure and again 1t was forgotten.
Yet he wns neither a careless nor for
gettul man. but ut this time he was
absorbed by an important case that
claimed nil his energy and determine
ton to carry 1t to successful issue.
Beside this, he believed 1t to be an In
yitation which he had no time to &C.
cept. Il
Two months later rs he was passing
the White House he collided with
woman in white who had suddenly
stopped in his path to read the suffrage
banner held nloft by very tired
looking girl. With an apology he was
about to pass on, when he caught
side view OF the face under the broad
brimmed Int. "You." he said, stopping
short and holding out his hand. Il
thought you were In California"
81 was until two months ago." Mary
Bowie answered. "and 1t Is good to be
back, even II my throat does contract
with IN ache every time n uniform
passes me. War seemed farther away
out there. but here, where almost every
other man you meet is in khaki. 1t Is
very nenr."
"Ycs." he said. looking at her with
appreciative eyes. "livIng In Washing
ton we are in the midst of things and
the war Is brought very close. But
suppose we forget 1t for time. Come
and take lunch with me. know a
place where they give you wonderful
rolls and delicious salad. That is, Of
course. unless you prefer hotel"
"My tastes are still simple" she re-
piled with laugh. "Rolls and salad
sound good to a hungry woman"
at is rather a shabby little place."
he answered. almost In apology.
"What matter7 Washington is a
city Of extremes. Two blocks up the
avenue from the White House Is
shabbIness indeed. Walk down Seven
teenth street until you reach the Cor
coran Art gallery. What do you
pass? GentilIty, nothing more until
you come to the wonderful group Of
buildings further on. That is the one
thing about Washington-its strong
contrasts"
II did not bring you to lunch to talk
about contrasts and extremes. I want
to hcnr about yourself. Why didn't
you let me know you were in town."
"Don't you read the daily papers7"
she asked carelessly. II believe I was
announced even to the details of my
travelling dress. which was IN old one
by the way, and did not deserve no
toriety."
Il never read the society news and
frivOllty does not sit well upon you.
lily uedI youuk iuuy. "hut EeusOu
did you have for not sending me your
card2"
"Are you sure I did mott"
"Quite sure. It would have reached
me II you had sent it."
II forgot your address and did not
think to look In the directory. You
can give 1t to me now. II you WILL"
NJ hor okoo div ,-o,,
quite sure that was the reason7"
"Why not7 1t Is the best can
think Of on the spur Of the moment"
she returned lightly.
"Why should there be reason?" he
asked again.
"why do you always look for one7"
she cOuntered back. '"Think Of 1t as
woman's whIm."
"Neither whims nor frivolity be-
comes you." he replied shortly. "but I
will give you my card" He drew
fiat case from his pocket and, not find
Ing what he wanted, laid several
papers upon the table. Uppermost on
the pile was the unopened letter re-
ceived two months before.
Mary Bowie's eyes widened. then
became expressionless as she glanced
from It to her companion, still search
Ing for his elusive card. As he raised
his eyes they. also, were caught and
held by the square envelope.
II forgot It," he said simply. ut
reached me when I was absorbed in
ah important case. OF course 1t was
lnexcusnble. I meant to read 1t when
I had leisure, but whenever started to
open It I was interrupted. II you Will
pardon me will look oyer 1t now"
LET It wait. An hour or SO will
now make little difference to your cor
respondent"
II have never corresponded with
woman in my life, and doubt II this
10 anything more important than IN in
vitation."
S,a Iocod a hand nvop tho loftpr