Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-20
THE ice on Placid lake was at It's

HNHE ice on Placid lake was at 1ts
i best, and the skaters glided merrily
over its smooth, translucent surface in
great numbers. .
Among them, on this particular after
noon, was Doris Ruskin, who was being
pursued by three of the most popular
young men of the town, each of whom
sought the privilege Of accompanying
her home. But the girl was dexterous
skater, and she led them a merry chase
around the lake, keeping well ahead OF
them until she was nearly exhausted:
Then in her excitement, as she turned
her head to see how closely she was
pursued. she bumped into somebody
with great force, and they. both went
sprawling on the ice.
"Oh. Billy, I'm sorry. Did I hurt
your" She could not restrain her laugh
ter when she saw the blank look on his
face as he picked himself up and clum-
silly assisted her to her feet.
"No. Are you hurt?"
Doris had turned her ankle and found
that she could not walk without sup
port. II guess I hurt my ankle" she
said. would you mind taking Off my
He assisted her to n seat on the
shore, and proceeded to remove the
skates. He was very much confused az
first, for Billy Weston was not at all
popular among the young people OF the
town, especially the girls. Even in hign
school he had been regarded by his class :
mates as queer sort of a chap.
But Doris Ruskin, who had been IN
his class. had always pitied him, and
wished that they might become better
acquainted. so she took this opportunity
II guess III have to ask you to assist
me home, Billy, for I really can't walk
alone"
She chatted gaily all the way home,
telling. of her experience at a business
college, and later of her new position
| in the bank.
"By the way, Billy, what have you
been doing since graduation she In
Quired.
The boys head dropped. What had he
done? All he could truthfully say was
Nothing" -.
"Why," the girl calculated, II
thought you were going to be news
ideas at school, you know
"Yes. that's Just 1t, Doris, big ideas
end that is all. Just can't get any
where. I've written and written. stor-
les, advertisements and everything else.
but no one would buy them. No pep,
they always say. And here am, broke.
without even typewriter. That would
help me immensely in my writing, but
oh, what's the use! J"
"You poor boy" Doris said, consol-
ingly. II wish / could help you"
Thanks, but it's no use. I'm hope
less failure. I wouldn't have cared a
rap, back there on the lake, IL the ice
had broken and swallowed me up.
That's all I'm good for"
Billy Weston The idea of you talk
ing like that. You ought to be ashamed
Of yourself. You haven't the right spirit
at ALL"
They had reached her home, and as
he turned to leave he took her hand.
Doris" he said, softly. II don't know
why told you all that did. Somehow
you seemed SO friendly and kind-so
different from the others
'I'm glad you did tell me-" Doris
said, "for think can help you. Won't
you come over tomorrow evening and
bring some of the ads you have writ
ten? I have a typewriter, you know,
and I should like very much to see some
of your work"
The next evening Billy came, and
they sat down together to look over
his work. "These ads are great" the
girl cried enthusiastically. "All they
need is little more pep and a few
Illustrations, and we will show this
town that Mr.. William Weston is an