South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-15
4 Successful Experiment
By Gorton Carruth

afraid"
"Of course" she assented gently.
1T was bound TO. It shows OF how
little worth a first impression is
anyway. You wondered II the de-
fects that you see in yourself were
apparent to others, and you are half
disappointed that they are not. for
you do not like the idea of wearing
a mask. Isn't that it?"
Yes"
And yet you must have known,
except in moments OF self-deprecia-
ton, that you make a favorable first
! impression; and 1 know that 1 do.
conceited as that may sound"
"All right" He Strengthened up
ond part OF this experiment. We will
ow tell just how badly each Of US
is mistaken"
well" she hesitated. 1--WE
can try It. but that also is a pretty
/ hard thing to do"
Listen TO me first" he answered,
while tell you what a poor Judge
\ Of character at first glance you are.
I may have a sense OF humor, but II
doesn't work very well. am gloomy
/ pessimistic and am rapidly develop
/ ing into a chronic crouch. I am not
/ one Of our rising young professional
men; I am n clerk in a large mer-
] camille house, and there hasn't been
] cat 90, al -, 4
may have common sense, but II
doesn't keep me from making a fool
OF myself about half the time. lack
purpose and determination. I may
| be domestic by nature, bat that's all
/ the good IL does me. So far from liv-
/ ing in a brownstone house in the
/ SOS am that live in a single room
down in the eos. 1 come from Mich
! igan and am a comparative stranger
! in New York. I read a good deal. II
is true, and you are right about the
sporting page, but l don't believe
| that I ever had an original idea in
my life. And-well, 1 might go on
at considerable length, but how do
YOU like the retouched portrait so
/ far?
The girl was laughing at him
again. "I think the portrait none
the worse" said she; especially
since you are clearly In a mood for
self disparagement. Let me alter
( your portrait Of me a little. hope
that I am sensible. TIA not a fiirt,
but I'm not so sure that I am not
| conceited. like babies and en-
broidery. but I'm not interested in
charitable work and ] do read the
wOman's page in the newspapers. I
don't live in a brownstpne house in
| the SOS. either. but have a room up
in the 1905. I earn my living by
teaching a class OF little Greek, Ital-
ian and Russian children down in
an east side school, and don't move
| in any other society. 1 have a bad
temper; I'm afraid my pupils suffer
a good deal at times. No doubt,
am more studious than most girls
ut like the movies and candy and
all sorts Of frivolous things very
much. Now how DO you like the re-
touching?"
We'll" he admitted gravely, IT
rather think il improves the por-
~ait; it makes it so much more hu-
man"
They fell silent again. watching
the sunshine on the colored trees.
You are quite right about one
thing" said the girl presently II
love the trees and the fields and the
sky. I was brought up in the coun-
try. and don't believe I could stand
it here in these endless miles Of
brick and stone, If II were not for
the park"
II come here often myself" the
man said. DO you?"
Every Sunday afternoon. like
this spot best OF all: the view is so
beautiful"
so do l."
The sun had left the trees and
they could see the lights OF the city
! twinkling like brilliant stars
do you know" said the man, ris-
ing, II think my experiment is not
going TO be a failure. after all,
though It has not resulted as I ex-
pected."
Perhaps it won't be-" answered
no girl quietly.
There was a moments pause.
Then: i will say only-good- night"
he said.
Good night" she answered.
He turned and walked along the
darkening path. An he reached the
bend he broke INTO a cheerful
whistle The girl. smiling. walked
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