The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-09-23
HIS "PAL"
BY DOROTHY LAWRENCE.

house. Please! Just to look at IL
frstl"
The appeal. In Terry Miller's eyes.
was so ridiculously pathetic as he
gazed up anxiously at the girl at
whose feet he was sitting that she
could not resist him.
"Of course. shall. but l think
you've made the silliest mistake ever
heard of. Terry. Imagine trying to
furnish house with"
"Never mind that now. She will
like 1t. She won't be able to do any
thing else. It's just a box Of house
though, so don't you expect too much.
When shall we gor
Norma Newton sighed. then replied !:
II can go this afternoon at two If
you WISH"
Finer exclaimed Terry. picking up
his cap to go. "We'll go on the cleo
tric" And with this he passed down
the drive out of sight, whistling.
Norma smiled ruefully as the recollec-
tion of the picture of Terry's wife-to-
be sprang before her eyes. She was
a pretty girl very different from Nor
ma Newton. and that was why Norma
Newton liked her. She hailed from
Texas and wealthy family. How
she could live in the surroundings
Terry suggested she couldn't guess.
Terry was very eager and talked
about the house all the while they
were on the train.
"Oh, the darling piayhouse!" laugh
ingly expostulated Norma as they came
in sight of their destination after
long walk from the station, and like
two children they broke into run
and arrived out of breath. As they
stepped into the house Norma became
fascinated at once.
"How many rooms. Terry?" she ask
ed as she ran into the tiny living room.
"Six-three up, three down."
~ shall put my very heart and soul
into furnishing this, Terry" Norma
said soberly. as they came down the
stairs after surveying the upper floor.
1--WE must begin at once and have 1t
ready for her."
The first part of the following week
was given up entirely to the cleaning
of the little house.
Hurry. Terry; we must get this last
pair of curtains up today. We sim
ply must" and so Terry hurried, and
the curtains were up when they left
for the city The next day they were
to come out to the house and take
one last look at 1t before closing it
to await its occupants arrival. That
evening Terry called at the Newton
home. He and Norma strolled out on
to the lawn to talk things over.
81 hope you will be happy, Terry"
II know I'll be- With the knowledge
that my best friend has helped me put
into It all could ever possibly wish
for including her personality, shall
be very, OH SO very happy. little part
ner." 1t was well that. for Terry's
peace of mind. Miss Helen Bucking-
ham from Texas could not see the way
in which Terry looked down upon Miss
Norma Newton of Massachusetts at
that moment.
The following day the little house
received an airing along toward six
o'clock, Terry and Norma not having
gone out until that time. When Terry
went to the orchard for some fruit, he
left Norma on the porch watching the
sunset; but when he came back. he
heard swift patter of feet overhead.
and then silence. He waited. and then
called.
"Just n minute" came voice from
above.
Terry seated himself In chair by
the window. and fixed the pillows in
the windowseat for Norma's comfort.
He looked up quickly, as she came
into the room. hut in the gathering
dusk, he could discern nothing out OF
the ordinary. q ~
"Take seat over here. pal" he said
as she moved toward the mantlepiece.
But Norma found something on the
mantle to adjust before going to him.
IL have a headache" she fal-
tered. still remaining by the fireplace.
"Poor. poor Norma. Come here and
sit among the pillows" She could not
resist 1t, so she crossed the room and
seated herself. 81 never knew Norma
Newton to have headache before
Poor little GIRL" he went on softly. ais
1t so bad? Not possibly heartachey'
You silly boy! OF course not"
But nevertheless. he went on. sweep
ing every barrier she had down, and
finally she was forced to bury her
face In the pillows and give vent to
her feelings. Terry regarded her.
''rhen it is heartache." he said
gently. "Listen, dear, sit up. want
to tell you something"
Obediently, she sat up and wiped
her eyes.
Yes, go on"
II want you to marry me tomor-
row"
Norma gasped.
Tomorrow Terry, why-what
about Miss buckingham? How i'm