The herald., 1920-04-15
MUCH ADO
BY FLORENCE BRIGHAM.
&c. 1920. BY Mcclure Newspap

Like luxurious kitten. Doris Lee
sat curled upon the bed. watching her
hostess. Marion Keith. Suddenly Doris
gave a sidelOng glance at her COM
panion and said lazily: Have you
heard about Phil Sawyer. MariOnW
what about him." asked the other,
as she turned toward the speaker.
why haven't you heard, really?" In
her excitement Doris fairly bounced up
on the bed. They say he's engaged to
Mabel Bradley OF course. we don't
know for certain that it's SO, but he's
been seen with her u lot and we all
think it's terrible, if it's so, because
everybody knows he's been going
around with you for perfect ages
and
Il don't believe it," broke in Marion,
and slipped out. closing the door be-
hind her.
Across the hall Marion was on her
knees by the bed. Over and over she
was whispering, her head bowed on her
tightly clasped hands. "Oh, it can't be
SO! Pills not like that know" but
no peace came. She remembered how
little she had seen Phil lately-nOt
since their last dance when he had
come in late and had danced only
twice with her. But she had thought
that he looked tired-still. hadn't he
danced with Mabel more than that1
Back and forth waged the battle of
doubt and loyalty. until the girl was
worn out. At last she climbed YEARLY
into bed. to stare for long hours into
the dark, MISUNDERSTANDING.
A week went by with no word from
Phil. Perhaps he was away. but he
always wrote or telephOned TO her. He
was not III, or she would have heard.
She felt that her friends all pitied her
She would prove to them that she did
not care! And so Marion ran to the
telephone and called up her cousin,
Harry, who was only too glad TO find
her in such a responsive need. For
days she motOred with him, canoed
with him, danced with him, laughed
with him and did her best to quiet the
persistent ache in her heart, but with
little success.
Then came the club dance For three
years Phil had taken Marion to the
club dance, but it was Harry who came
for her tonight, and found her looking
very lovely in chiffon dress, like a
rosy cloud. Her heart was a whirl of
emotions. Would Phil be at the dance
What would she say or do if he were
AS they entered the great hall to-
gether Marion's eager eyes looked
quickly about, and instinctively she
shrank back against the wall; for
there was Phil, dancing with Mabel
and looking down into her upturned.
laughing face with smile.
Come on, let's dance!" said Harry,
happily, and swung Marion into the
crowd.
The fifth dance found her again with
Harry. Suddenly she heard a gay
Hello, Marion :" and looked up to see
Doris smiling at her, and above the
golden head, Pills gray eyes looking
straight into her own.
She missed her step and Harry
looked at her curiOusly. whats the
matter; tired?" he asked.
"A little" said Marion. Lets 60 out
on the balcony; it's so cool and quiet
there"
Suddenly the girl heard footsteps
coming toward her. The thought that
perhaps it was Harry come to find her
caused her to look up, and there stood
Phil. Marion sat very still. while her
heart licked off the seconds.
May | sit DOWN." asked Phil, and
there was a tremble in his voice. As
Marion did not speak, he pulled chair
over and sat down beside her. Their
Phil spoke, hesitatingly. Marion" he
said, II don't know as you've noticed
it, or cared, but haven't been around
as much lately"
"No." said Marion, in a curious tone
less voice, you haven't"
"Well, you remember that last biz
dance. They told me that you were en-
gagged to that fellow" Marion gave 9
gasp. "The same one you're with to
night. At first 1 didn't believe it. ant
! well, il sure looked 1t, and now she
they say 1t was all joke and he'i
your cousin, and"-he turned q puz
zled, hurt face to Marion-"what doei
II mean, anyhow"
"Then you're not engaged?" CRIED
Marion huskily, "and you're not goinl
to marry Mabel Bradley"
what" exploded Phil, what do vol
mean"
"Why Doris said"
Phil gave suppressed whistle. II
was Doris told me about you" he cried
Phil's eyes fell, but his hands tight
ened their grasp on hers.
II was jealous and just wanted t
show you | didn't care" he mumblet
In a shamed voice; and then, raising
his head again, he looked straight int
her eyes and said quietly: "Ther
never was anybody but you. Marion
and you know 1t. / don't ever want Il
live another two weeks like these las
two. Tell me, you do carer
Marion's tremulous, happy smil
was answer enough. AS Phil bent t
kiss the hands he held in his own, tn
gay voice of Doris broke in on thei
happiness. 'Well, so you've made VI