Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-04-23
A
LOVE FICTION
By 0TILLIA F. PFEIFFER

There was always pleasant, inter-
ested smile on the face Of Drury Law.
renee whenever his fellow clerks
chatted about home, wives, sweet
hearts or love. He was a quiet, unas-
Stunning young man, and Eric Dawes,
his one close friend, had often noticed
the sympathetic glow In his honest,
earnest eyes, and wondered why It
grew so intense, on the occasions
noted.
Drury was closing his desk late one
afternoon and he and Eric were the
only occupants of the room. A bright
hearted young fellow, new clerk, had
just left after showing an engagement
ring to Drury he intended presenting
to his fiancee. Drury listened to his
eulogles Of Its intended recipient with
pleased attention.
you must be happy man In your
own love affairs to be so ready to ap-
preciate that Of Others" suggested
Eric.
A peculiar expression crossed the
face of Drury. It was serious, yet
tender and expressive. A dreamy, far
away look came into his eyes as he
said:>
There has been only one so-called
love affair In my life, Eric. and there
will never be another. Do you know
who that ISL" and he produced a pho
tograph from a drawer In the desk.
"Why, 1t is Miss Ina Vermont" ex-
claimed Eric in unmitlgated surprise.
you don't mean to say that you are
interested In that directionT
"Eminently So" replied Drury, and
his tones were fairly reverential. II
have loved her devotedly for over two
years. You are my only confidant, so
respect my secret. See" and he pro-
duced a packet Of letters tied with
bit of ribbon. each month I have
written to her, unfolding my heart, be-
ginning with Dear Miss Vernon and
now addressing her as My Souls
Treasure"
Eric was fairly astounded. This
quiet, unpretentlOus friend had out
stripped them all Miss Ina Vernon,
the daughter of the wealthy manufac-
turerl In correspondence with her
for two years-she, the proud beauty
Of leading famllyl The "soul's only
treasure" of q plain, humble office
clerk.
"Then-then you are engaged7" in
situated Eric.
in my letters" replied Drury In
puzzllng accents of sadness; "ln let
tiers never sent. l have carried on
love fiction for my own hopeless con-
ISOLATION only. Miss Vernon unknow-
lngly took possession of my heart.
realized my yearnlngs were as those
Of rushlight craving for the star
was content to love her in secret.
have never spoken to her. She has
never read line of my letters"
"And you are never going to tell
her." spoke Eric, with genuine feel
ing; you, man worthy Of the consId-
Grafton Of any womanW
ut would be presumptuous. have
no right to aspire, to hope" replied
Drury sorrowfuIly. "Let my dream
ing suffice. She is Of another world
than mine"
Drury reclted how, when Miss YER
non had lost a pet spaniel, he had re-
stored 1t through the home servants,
refusing to accept the reward ten
dered or to disclose his identity.
Again, It was he who had been near
at hand when Mr.. Vernon, at variance
with some of his mill employees, was
assalled by mob. Drury saved the
magnate from shower OF dangerous
missiles and then vanished.
Then, too, In seeking an Office friend
who was off on spell Of dissipation,
In shielding him from group Of gam
blers, Drury had as well run across
Manfred Vernon, the brother Of Inn.
His efforts and warnings had slgnalIy
turned the footsteps Of both the young
men from the downward path.
II was about two months after the
disclosure to Eric that the latter was
startled by reading In the morning
paper that a young man named Drury
Lawrence, passing the mansion OF
John verron. had sprung upon n Turk
Ing intr about to place n lighted
bomb within the vestibule, had flung II
away from the house, but Its explosion
had reached him, decorating and half
binding him. He had been removed
to hospital, and the article commend
ed his herosm and spoke OF the graft
tude Of the Vernon family over this
great act of self-sacrlfce.
Eric FASTENED to the hospital to find
Drury suffering but radiant. He had