Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-02-17
All. Well That
Ends Well"
BY Lillian HALL CROWLEY
Copyright 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper 6yndicats.)

"Come, girls" called Mrs. Stevens
from the next room; 1--WE shall be late
for the train"
"In a minutep MAY has to put In
another hairpin!" answered two JOY
Gus young voices. The girls then hur-
Red In to Join their waiting chaperon.
A taxi was waiting at the entrance
to the hotel, into which they piled and
were ftlriously driven to the station
where they were to take the train.
They had finished a three-days' sight
seeing visit in the national capital,
and were on their way to Annapolis
to attend the January hop at the Ma
val academy.
May Withers, who was engaged to
Midshipman Roy Bloomer. had per-
suaded Jean Stevens and her mother
to 90 with her. Both girls were at
tending college, and this was holiday
time. May intended finishing her col
lege course the following June, and
Roy would graduate the same month.
Then they were to be married.
You'll like Roy's chum, Philip Car
son, Jean. Roy says he's shark for
study-like yourself-bones up on lit
erature and writes verse. You two
ought to get on splendidly. I'll let him
know that you're the high-brow OF our
class"
II wanted to meet him because he
IL Roy's friend, but now I want to
meet him for himself" said Jean.
II don't see how he and Roy became
roommates, because old Roy never
reads a book unless he has to. We're
alike. there"
When they arrived at the station In
Annapolis, Mrs. Stevens called a rick
ETY. old carriage that had two listless
horses and fat darby driver. They
ambled along Maryland avenue until
they came to their hotel, large white
building in the center Of the town.
For dinner they had some Of the ia
nous Maryland soft-shelled crabs, and
then went into the parlOr to wait for
the "boys."
Presently May was introducing Roy
Bloomer and his friend, Philip Carson.
This was the ladies' first visit to An
napolis.
They soon exhausted all the small
talk, and wise Mrs. Stevens suggested
walk. She would write letters while
awaiting them. She was repaid for
her thoughtfulness with the Joy she
saw in the faces Of the lovers.
Later when they all came in Roy
and May were blissfully happy. No
one could mistake the fact that they
were genuinely in love. Philip looked
politely bored, while Jean seemed be-
wildered and wretched.
ooh, Jean, I made mistake about
Phil being a student Of literature. He's
an athlete and never reads. have
confused his name with that Of anoth-
er fellow Roy wrote me about"
"Well," exclaimed Jean, that's why
we didn't hit 1t of. preached every
subject I thought he would like-not
that cared myself, for I would rather
have talked about this quaint old
town. what must he think Of mer
"What did you say to him."
II started out on the technic Of the
short story Of today In comparison
with the long-drawn-out stories Of
Richardson, the father Of the English
novel;"
Heavens" exclaimed May. while
Mrs. Stevens repressed a smile. HE
didn't know what you were talking
about. I'm sorry for my sake. Jean.
What else did you say?"
"When he didn't respond, I thought:
He doesn't care to be serious tonight
50 I told him q joke, and he didn't
even SMILE"
"What Joke did you tell him?"
"That extremely funny one about
the New York publisher, who, on his
first visit to England. asked Herbert
Spencer to give him the sole right to
the 'Faerie Queene.'
How could he laugh at that7
There's nothing funny about 1t, Is
there?"
Perhaps not" Jean answered wear
lily.
'Never mind, DEAR" said her moth
er; ut often happens that two admir-
able persons cannot be congenial. Re
member, there Is the dance tomorrow
night"
"Phil Carson has missed q lotw ex-
claimed May, because you're the dear.
est and sweetest thing that ever lived.
Present company not excepted"
Next evening the two midshipmen
were at the door Of the gymnasium,
where the balls are held, when the
girls arrived with Mrs. Stevens. Their
programs had been filled by their es-
corts before, as was the custom.
Roy said: "Phil and are sorry
about Billy Westerman. We wanted
you to know him, but he's so popular
that all his dances were taken before
we knew you were coming"
"Who is hep asked May.
"He's the fellow wrote you about
the shark Of the class-writes
verse;"
"He's the one I meant" May whis-
pered to Jean.
Jean and her gallant, having start.
ed badly. could not get adjusted; espe-
cially after Jean. to show her interest
in the best baseball pitcher in the
academy, asked:
"Why do some Of the players wear
gray suits and the rest bluei"
The look on his face decided her
that no subject was safe. so she be-
came icily polite; he caught the In.
fection, and 30 the evening passed.
Many times Roy tried to corral Billy,
but did not succeed. However, az
Phil had seen that Jeans program was
full, she enjoyed all the dances eI.
cept the six with him.
At last the beautiful ball was over |
and Mrs. Stevens gathered her charges
into the carriage.
'There Is one thing regret, JEAN"
said May. when they were again In
Mrs. Stevens room; II wish you had
met Billy instead of Phil-although |
Phil Is In love"
"Never mind. dears," said Mrs. Stew.
ems, I'VE all had delightful time. Re-