Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-04-30
AN UGLY DUCKLING
~ ALICE FREEMAN.

,.rning sleighing party. Elizabeth
r.,t,n. as usual. simply sat and
lE,.oned Now and then she sighed
.s,v as one of her friends related
.me incident which took place on the
IA sleighing party. They were try
4. n decide what fellows they could
Easreod upon to even up their party.
Il arhere is that new family across
n. street and perfectly stunning
.oune man comes out of the house
.,sry morning, but he simply will not
~ Mt one Of u.s." said the hostess
Nth hopeless sigh. He was pres
~ az the church social the other eve
.ns and when l met him the next
morning l thought surely he would
r,eognize me, but he passed by with
sut even looking at meP'
b Each girl had some such story to
rate, excepting Elizabeth.
Soon Elizabeth excused herself, and
Nth q hurried good-by she went out.
II suppose Beth would have to be
#mrluded," said one girl.
aYes, but doubt IL she will 60" re-
Ied another. "You know how she is
when there are fellows concerned"
h lust outside in the hallway Eliza
beth Martin snothered low cry. She
had come back. unnoticed, for her rub
hers and as she heard her name
tossed around she took quick step
forward as If to rush into the room
where the girls were talking. A mo-
ment later she had changed her mind,
and noiselessly she slipped out Of the
thouse and hurried across the street
E and home.
4 So that was what they thought !!
B She was afraid of fellows! Well, she
would show them something. She,
+ who had never had beau-she would
70 on their sleighing party and she
would 20 with fellow, too. Yes, she
would 20 with Allen Morse, the fell
low who had just moved in, next door
the fellow that all the girls had tried
10 attract and had failed. But she
would not fail Then perhaps they
,Ould change their minds, and she
nuld be the ugly duckling no longer,
The next thing TO decide was "how
10 meet him." 1t was Tuesday and the
party was to be Thursday. She spent
/ the rest of the afternoon and evening
I'm thought That day the sun had
shone brightly, and the snow on the
walk in front OF her house had
Emelted
IF 1t freezes tonight, can do r."
We told herself and as she dropped of
sleep late that night. a smile rested
70 her lips.
Fate was with her, for the next
morning was cold and windy. She
vas up early and with her coat on and
On attractive tam, which was arranged
becomingly over one ear, she stood In
the doorway, hidden from view by q
curtain which was drawn partly aside
She watched the pedestrians as they
Passed, carefully picking their way
along the Icy sidewalk.
Suddenly the curtain at the door
WAS drawn together and Elizabeth
Martin came quickly out of her house,
Just as A young man came into view
4 IN front of his own house, next door,
They both reached the end of Eliza
eth's walk at the same moment, and
Ihelr eyes met. AS Elizabeth turned
the corner her foot slipped on the ice,
and with a low cry she fell forward.
Allen Morse threw out his arms and
H1ght her, holding her closely for a
anef moment, but long enough to
Onng burning flush to the girls
cheeks. tst
\ pAll right?' he asked. simply.
She thought she was, she told him,
and after thanking him, she tried to
nee herself from his grasp. But he
aa0 mistaken the culver in her voice
lOf one of pain, and kept a firm hold
70 her arm. AS she stepped forward
@e swayed little. then sank back
10 his arms.
4 Better let me help YOU" he offered,
aao with a supporting arm around
asr' ne led her back into the house.
ue made sure that she was resting
Immortality before he left her, with
usual remark that "he would drop
y 70 the evening TO see If she was all
right"
Il - soon as she heard the front door
aoSe she quickly arose and ran to the
Inflow from where she watched him
uul ne was out of sight.
4 Well she declared. 'if all young
~ We're like him. would soon lose
them" "i'"U
true to his promise. Allen Morse
aug the doorbell of Elizabeth Martins
p"e al EIGHT o'clock that evening.
: was surprised when she herself
a a."ered the ring, and invited him in,
nn,.a greater surprise was waiting
~ 4aoeths girl friends, for before he
h. ner that evening Allen had given
ss,a promise 10 accompany her on the
Inc following evening a bright noon
mets 49, me way for merry crowd.