Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1920-03-25
MUCH ADO
BY FLORENCE BRIGHAM.

hostess, Marion Keith. Suddenly Doris
gave sidelong glance at her COM
panion and said iazily: "Have you
heard about Phil Sawyer. Marion?"
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 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"
II don't believe it," broke in Marion,
and slipped out, closing the door be-
hind her.
Acrossxthe hall Marion was en- 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! Phns not like that-I know" but
no peace came She remembered how
little she had seen Phil lately-not
since their last. dance when lie had
come in late and had danced only
twice with her. But she had thought
that he Iqohcd~ Iired--still, hadn't he
dauved with Mabel more than that?
Back and forth Waged the battle of
Gonbt and loyalty. until the girl was
wCrn cat. Al last she climbed YEARLY
into bed, to stare for long hours into
the dark, MISUNDERSTANDING.
a week went by with no word from
PEily Perhaps he was away, but he
always wrote or telephoned to. her. He
was got i'll, or she would have heard.
She felt that her friends all pted her.
She would prove to them that she did
not Gaze! And so Marion ran to the
telephone ard called up her cousin,
Harry, who was only too glad TO find
her in such 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 a chiffon dress, like
rosy cloud. Her heart was 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 a 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, Marionw and looked up to see
Doris smiling at her, and above the
golden head, Phil's 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 go 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
Pill. Marion sat very still, while her
heart licked off the seconds.
May l sit DOWN. asked Phil, and
there was tlemble in his voice. As
Marion did not speak, he pulled chair
over and sat down beside her. Then
Phil spoke, hesitatingly. Marion" he
said, Il don't know as you've noticed
it, or cared, but l haven't been around
as much lately" H
NO" said Marion, in a curious tone
less voice, you haven't"
We'll, you remember that last big
dance. They told me that you were en-
gagged to that fellow" Marion gave
gasp. "The same one you're with TO-
night. AT first | didn't believe it, and
well, it sure looked it, and now She
they say it was all joke and he's
your cousin, and"-he turned puz-
zled, hurt face to Marion--"what does
it mean, anyhow?'
Then you're not engaged?" cried
Marion huskily, ''and you're not going
to marry Mabel Bradley?'
what exploded Phil. what do you
mean?" E8 Ell
why Doris said"
Phil gave suppressed whistle. cit
was Doris told me about you" he cried.
Phil's eyes fell. but his hands tight
ened their grasp on hers
Il was jealous and just wanted to
show you didn't care" he mumbled
In shamed voice; and then, raising
his head again, he looked straight into
her eyes and said quietly: There
never was anybody but you, Marion,
and you know it. don't ever want to
live another two weeks IKE these lag,
two Tell mo Won 40 cora9o