Middletown transcript., 1920-07-24
CUP1D's CAR
By RALPH HAMILTON

q small estate left by her father. A
girl of less gentle mold would long
since have resented and abandoned
the strict discipline and kill-joy meth
DDS Of the soured old maid. There
was an innate sprightliness and OPP
timism, inherent with Drusilla, how
ever, that sustained her nightly.
She submitted to exclusion from the
coveted companionship Of other young
people, she sat patiently in sewing cir
cles, dreary lecture rooms and uncon-
genial meetings Of a club of which
Miss Ward was secretary. and which
comprised all the long-haired male
theorists of the district and most OF
the female faddists.
Meantime, Drusilla dreamed. She
loved poetry, sentiment and all that
was true, good and beautiful. She an
ticipated her twenty-first birthday,
when the ban would be lifted and she
could enter into real life and Joyous
ness. Then one day she met Irving
L uCdIlC OA AOl way " q IO"A WV
miles distant, whittier she was sent
weekly to carry messages and dainties
to an incapacitated old lady friend OF
her aunt.
He came into her life so charmingly,
50 naturally, that It seemed to Dru-
silla as If it was all predestined. He
was stopping only incidentally at Mill
Vile in the property interests OF
relative, was young, handsome, chival-
rous. The winding country road was
lined with flowers, and beyond were
bird-haunted stretches Of timber and
reaches Of velvety
sward, where they roamed at will, and
that one day in the week when they
met became a sweetly beautiful idyl
to both. No word Of love was spoken,
but its expression came forcibly to
both when Miss Ward made the dis
covery Of this stolen companionship
and like a destructive hurricane
crossed the paradisiacal path Of love
and beauty.
Meantime Miss Ward had intro
duced into the household as tri-week-
" visitor q Professor Jeremiah Black,
whose cult was antiquity and whose
efforts to court Drusilla were persis-
tent, but repealed. He was a long,
lank youth. whom, Drusilla discerned,
Miss Ward was intent on marrying
her to, possibly interested as to Dru-
silla's little fortune.
There was a picnic one bright July
day which all Millville usually attend
ed, and Drusilla consented to accom-
pany her aunt and the professor, be-
cause she believed Irving would be
there and was prepared to get some
word to him. Arrived at the festal
scene Miss Ward selected an isolated
spot, and, lynx-eyed, kept Drusflla
from conversing with any one except
herself and the professor. Drusilla,
however, was so uncongenial and dull
that the latter wandered off by him
self in a somewhat disgruntled mood.
Her heart was beating high, however.
for she had seen Irving arrive in an
automobile and later lurking in the
woodland near by. Then she caught
sight of him gazing directly at her
from a near covert.
81 wish you would treat the profes.
sor with more attention and respect"
spoke her aunt. "When there is dane
ing I wish you to retain him as your
partner"
II am not prepared to join in the
returned Drusilla with art
full mildness, and removing her hat
she disclosed several wisps Of her hair
done up in papers.
"You might try to oblige me for
once! !" observed Miss Ward tartly, and
Drusilla proceeded to remove the curl
papers. Her aunt was busy primping,
with hand-glass assisting. Drusilla
twisted several tiny wisps of paper
free. She turned a quick glance in
the direction Of her lurking lover. She
larger piece Of curl paper,
wadded it and flung It into a bush
nearby.
Irving saw and understood. When
Drusilla and hef aunt started for the
pavilion he gained the bush,
UNFINISHED the discarded curl paper
and read: "Meet me at the spring in
an hour"
It was that length of time later that
Drusilla, breathless and excited, Joined
him there.
II Just managed to get away from
nv aunt" she fluttered. "Oh, Irvingl
they are trying to marry me to that
horrid professor and am going to
run away from home"
"Grandw commented Irving cheer
fully. I'm going to, likewise. Dru-
silla, dear, let US go together. MY
auto is handy; I know convenient
clergyman not five miles away. Shall
We hurry to him and then begin JOY
Gus, truant honeymoon"
"Do you care for me so much, thenl"
FILTERED Drusilla, and his earnest,
loyal gaze gave an assuring reply.
II trust my future all to you" she
and his strong arm encir-
cled her as they fastened to the wait
Ing automobile that was to them .
yeritable Cupid's car.