The Pulaskian., 1920-08-19
DAWNIE:
By MARY HELFANT.

(S0 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.l
 Young Jim Standing opened his eyes, yawned and stretched his long, healthy body leisurely. He turned over on the other side, his sleepy eyes falling on the clock.
 "Good night!" he gasped in dismay-
 Fully awake now he jumped out of bed and pulled back the blinds He groaned aloud as the room was food ed with the mild sunshine of an early spring forenoon.
 Young Jim's thoughts were bitter as he hastily splashed in the cold tub. AS he dressed his thoughts grew more bitter
 "A fine excuse have to offer Dawnie for not turning up. Poor kid, how disappointed she must have beenl After all her planning, too. She may break off for this" The last thought proved too much for poor Jims peace of mind and gulping his black coffee without tasting it he dashed off to- wards Dawn's home. On the way he tried to think of some excuse less humiliating than the truth.
 Young Jim was engaged to little Dawn Gricklin, q lovely blonde young person to whom life was one sweet romance. She was not a giddy, young butterfly for she could cook and sew and keep house very nicely. Her old- fashioned mother had seen to that Dawn's small head under the crinkly, baby-gold curls held q clever little brain. But Dawnle had to have ro- nance. When life offered none she would create it. She had known and l loved Jim always, as she would naively tell you. But she would have pre- 1 ferred her parents to disapprove of the clever young architect, for then their courtship would have had many thrills. It would have been so jolly to have had to meet Jim on the slyi But alasf Jim was as welcome i'll the Cricklfn home as Dawn herself.
 So Dawn made up all manner Of stunts for Jim to go through with. Jim agreed to "clandestine" meetings and hurried partings with tolerant good-na- ture.
 "It amuses Dawnie and it does no harm" he would say.
 Jim had baked at Dawnie's last scheme, though in the end he gave Tn as usual
 Lets elope!" she had coaxed in her prettiest way. "Weddings are so dulf and commonplace. What lark 1t would bel'
 But we can have the wedding at home," Jim protested.
 "Sillyl" Dawn rebuked kissing him as only Dawn could. We want to steal off in the dead of night just as If father would really pursue us"
 And so Jim, feeling rather foolish, gave Tn. They agreed that about two o'clock Sunday morning was the best time. Jim was to leave his roadster a block from the Cricklin home, and Dawn would wait for him in her room. Her room was on the second floor over looking the garden, so she could have all the romance she craved, even to the proverbial ladder.
 And at the last moment Jim had failed her for the most prosalc of rea- sons. He had worked hard all wo,'< on some important plans. Saturday afternoon he took Dawn to a matinee. That evening he worked with his part ner on an important hurry plan. About ten he had gone to his room, packed his suitcase and lain down to roe.' The next thing he remembered was awakening in broad daylight.
 .l. 4l. Jagged as he came within sight of Dawn's home He had nothing to sa but the truth, and he could not Sas that.
 With grim smile he climbed thp steps of the Cricklns' front porch.
 "What the" he stammered as he front door flew open and lovely vision in pink silk and laces threw herself into his arms.
 "Oh, Jim,7 the vision cried between kisses, 'you aren't angry with me, are you, dear? am so sorry I kept you waiting in the damp old garden. You will forgive me, won't you, dear, when explain?"
 "Yes, dear, of course" Jim assured her dazedly.
 "Oh, I'm so relieved. You see, at the last moment I thought 1t would be more romantic If 1 pretended we had been discovered. My cruel parents (Iim smiled at this, even in his be- wilderment) forced me to stay a pris- oner in Aunt Jane's room I pretend ed I had a toothache, so wanted to stay with auntie 1t was great fun, but I'm sorrow for you, Jimmy. Say you don't mind" Dawnie paused to catch her breath, her eyes dark with pleading.
 Young Jim breathed a fervent prayer of thanksgiving and aloud said,