The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-02
BETWEEN RIVERS
BY FLORENCE MELLISH.

Tor the best true love story. and Will
lfed Ihayer, professor of English in
carleton college. had been appointed
Judge OF the contest. He was not en-
chanted with the task, judging from
the slightly bored expression on his
handsome face as he bent over a desk
piled with manuscripts.
i wonder if amid this canelonlera-
ton of sentiment and florid rhetoric
there is one genuine experience. Thank
fortune this is the last 1
He smoothed out the manuscrint ana
read the title: Between the Rivers"
My word That sounds familiar
Wilfred gave a low whistle. The h9r-
piest year Of his life had been spent
in a rural locality. styled by the in
hahitants Of the nearest village BE
tween the Rivers" He began to read.
and the bored expression gave MACE
to one of unmistakahle interest. II was
the story Of a girls first love affair.
and it began with an appreciative nic-
ture of her young lover. \ puzzled
frown between NilfreIs eyebrows
deepened as he read. He raised his
head and looked critically at Ills re-
Election in mirror that Glanced TO be
over his desk.
Well" he laughed. "if il were NOT
for few prematurely gray hairs and
wrinkles caused by excessive mental
labor, this fair contestant might have
attempted a pen portrait of myself"
He finished the pathetic little story
for it was pathetic
1T hasn't the happy ending that one
generally expects. That's one point
against it."
There was an idyllic courtship. a
little misunderstanding, and a parting;
and the story concluded, Il never
saw him again"
Wilfreds frown had disappeared. His
smile grew softly reminiscent. How
often Phyllis Harker and he had
leaned on the railing to watch tie
Assawauga glide under the bridge. and
how many golden hours they had spent
on the Quinnabaug.
Could this be his own love story as
well as the authors? No. PHYLLIS
Harker was too proud, too fine to make
copy of her tcnderest memories. Never
theless his fingers trembled as ha
opened the separate paper containing
the contestants name and address.
Phyllis Kenyon Another coinci-
dence! The name Phyllis was unusual:
Kenyon might be her married name.
lie glanced at the address-57 Myrtle
street, Ashton. BY an odd concurrence
OF events. he would address the Woln-
ems club of Ashton on twentieth
Century Poets" the very next day.
The next day, after his address was
over, and as soon as he could escaDe
from the fervid appreciation OF vari-
Gus members Of the club, the profess
sor looked for 81 Myrtle street. He
gave his card TO the maid who opered
the door of the unpretentious house
and waited in the neat parIor. with
his heart beating faster than he an
proved.
Phyllis paused on the threshold for 4
glance of recognition. possibly Of an
praisal, before she came forward IN
greet him. She had a CERTAIN air of
dignity and remoteness, though She
gave him her hand with unembarrassed
kindness.
This is good of you, Professor
Ihayer. l was sorry not to hear your
address,"
q am afraid you did not lose much.
Mrs. Kenyon"
Miss Kenyon" she corrected him,
But why" he flushed ana hesi-
tated.
She smiled again. 1T is only nv
name that is changed. Soon after we
some years ago Mrs. Charlotte Ken
5on persuaded me TO go abroad with
ler to have my voice trained. she
liso prevailed on me TO take her name.
md she promised to bequeath to me
Ter little property in return. But, pray
e seated and let us talk little. Mrs.
fhayer is not with you?"
Mrs. Thayer!"
heard of your marriage few
Tears ago to Miss Hepburn"
ooh, that was my brother. | am
still solitary"
She blushed Slightly. lie glanced ot
IN upright piano in one corner of the
Dom.
You sing?" he suggested.
Not now" 4 slight shadow crossed
Ter face. "A throat trouble made .
slight operation necessary, and nv
singing voice has never come back
But how did you know that was
lere?"
For answer he drew her manuscript,
rom his inner pocket. She recognized
with "A little cry.
Phyllis" he reproachcd her. -hox
"uld you give this to the world?"
She bowed her head upon her hands
oh, Wilfred, | needed the money ~
adlN and thought no one would ever
now whose story it was"
Poor little girl" he INTERRUPTED. ~
&c it all. Now, Phyllis. this wou,d
'robably win the prize. bat want vo,,
ID Withdraw IL from, a.. $500