Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-12-02
ROMANCE
BY ELEANOR H. RUSSELL.


The letter addressed in an unknown
handwriting seemed TO jump 10 Anne's
eye as 1t lay on the table among the
days mail. She slit il open eagerly
and as She read soft flush rose in
her face.
well never expected anything
like that written to me, she ex-
claimed. "a rare type Of American
womanhood andT should consider It
a privilege TO come all the way from
New York 10 grasp your .littIe land,'
The bold signature, Gregory Phil
lips" told the story. He was sutton
OF her chum, Grace, who lived in New
York. When Grace had decided TO
break her engagement to Gregory and
not daring TO confess il TO hin had
planned simply 10 disappear, Anne Ind
written her straightforward note of
advice.
You've always been honorable and
courageous" she had written 'Dont
fall now. Face II out with him." And
Grace had needed her advice and had
evidently told Gregory whence II came.
This was his note Of appreciation 10
Anne. 1t brought thrill TO her as
she read. man much older than
She, who knew so much holding her
up as criterion oe8 all that was
womanly and fin, All, that was ro-
nance.
But that evening romance had to be
tucked away in the blouse of Anne's
gown. because Jim was coming to
take her to the movies
IN due time Anne answered the let
ter and reply came quickly. She
wrote dlfidently ut first, but as time
went on she began to open her heart
more freely to her understanding
friend
Even StolId prosac Jim thought
she was becoming more Indifferent
and dreamy than WAS er won't
"No. don't want to 70 90 wal
I'VE got letters 10 write" she said
petnlantly one evening
you'd better come out replied
jim. Seems to me you're getting
kind of pale and besides" here his
face lit up 1--WE little house on
Pleasant street To show you. Not q
very nice neighborhood, but just our
size"
I'm sorry, jim, not tonight and
Anne closed the conversation.
A week later the crisis came.
Gregory Phillips wrote he was coming
from New York for the express pur-
pose of seeing her Anne's excitement
knew no bounds. She bought whole
new outfit for the occasion. A soti .
black satin dress and dream of a
malines hat that set off her golden hair
to perfection, and pair OF tninty
slippers They made dent Ii her
savings
ON the great evening Anne sat
a-twittcr with excitement from the
trembling crown Of her hat to the very
tips Of her slippers. waiting for him
in secluded corner Of hotel draw
ing room Surely they would know
each other, she thought, she and the
prince Of her dreams suddenly She
looked up as a tail man entered with
a quick, self-asSured step. His eyes
roamed over the room, Anne's heart
gave one great hound and then stopped
completely She felt stunned aud,
obeying her first impulse. bent her
head For lac was not at all as her
Imagination had pictured him, Thin.
little bald, and even at distance
the lines under his word-weary eyes
and The STOPPING shoulders OF disil-
lusiou had not ESCAPED her.
"Did YOU think hiding your face
would prevent me from knowing .you?'
startled her and she looked up
Anne newer quite realized how she
got through the frs, sickening mo.
meutS or the miserable farce Of din.
ner Her food lay arely tasted on her
plate while her hero talked ON and
on Nothing Of how wonderful she
was now. hut all Of himself his sue
/ cess, his money. his ear and his clubs
Somehow the evening progressed and
( he left her mt her door with the
words
Tomorrow afternoon wc1l have yea
ANA then ! have tickets for the front
row of the hest show IN town" col
course. ne would pnt ii that way Ap
parcntly he had the best OF every
thng)
After he had gone Anne faced m,
] T.