Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-08-04
AN UGLY DUCkLING
BY ALICE FREEMAN.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A group of five girls We're sitting be
fore an open fireplace in the living
room Of Edith Halls country home
Four of them were enthusiastically
planning sleighing party. Elizabeth
Martin, as usual, simply sat and
listened. Now and then she sighed
softly as one of her friends related
some incident which took place on the
last sleighing party. They were try
ing to decide what fellows they could
depend upon to even up their party.
There Is that new family across
the street and perfectly stunning
young man comes out of the house
every morning, but he simply will not
look at one of u.s." said the hostess
with hopeless sigh. ''He was pres
ent at the church social the other eve
ming, and when l met him the next
morning l thought surely he would
recognize me, but he passed by with
OUT even LOOKING ar me
Each girl had some such story to
relate, excepting Elizabeth.
Soon Elizabeth excused herself, and
with hurried good-by she went out.
II suppose Beth would have to be
jncluded," said one girl.
"Yes, but doubt if she will 60" re-
piled another. "You know how she is
when there are fellows concerned"
Just ontside in the hallway Eliza
beth Martin smothered low cry. She
had come back, unnoticed, for her rub
hers, and as, she heard her name
tossed around she took quick step
forward ms II to rush into the room
where the girls were talking. A mo-
ment later she had changed her mind,
and noiselessly she slipped out OF the
house and hurried across the street
and home.
So that was. what they thought
She was afraid OF fellows! Well, she
would show them something. She,
who had never had a beau-she would
60 on their sleighing rArty and she
would 90 with fellow, too. Yes, she
would 20 with Allen Morse, the fel-
low who had Just moved in. next door
Tho fellow that all the girls had tried
to attract and had failed. But she
would not fail! Then perhaps they
would change their minds, and she
would be the ugly duckling no longer
The next thing to decide was 'how
to meet him. 1t was Tuesday and the
party was to be Thursday. She spent
the rest Of the afternoon and evening
In thought. That day the sun had
shone brightly. and the snow on the
walk in front Of her house had
melted.
IF 1t freezes tonight, I can DO IT,"
she told herself and as she dropped Off
to sleep late that night, q smile rested
on her lips.
Fate was with her, for the next
morning was cold and windy. She
was up early and with her coat On and
an attractive tam, which was arranged
becomingly over one ear. she stood In
the doorway, hidden from view by
curtain which was drawn partly aside.
She watched the pedestrians az they
passed, carefully picking their way
along the icy sidewalk.
Suddenly the curtain at the door
was drawn together and Elizabeth
Martin came quickly out Of her house,
just as young man came into view
In front Of his own house, next door,
They both reached the. end Of Eliza
beth's walk at the same moment, and
their eyes met Az Elizabeth turned
the corner her foot slipped on the Ice,
and with low cry she fell forward.
Allen Morse threw out his arms and
caught her, holding her closely for
brief moment, but long enough to
bring burning flush to the girls
cheeks.
"All right?' he asked. simply.
She thought she was, she told him,
and after thanking him, she tried to
free herself from his grasp. But he
had mistaken the culver in her voice
for one of pain, and kept firm hold
on her arm. AS she stepped forward
she swayed a little, then sank back
in his arms.
Better let me help you,' he offered,
and with supporting arm around
her, he led her back into the house.
He made sure that she was resting
before he left her, with
a casual remark that ''he would drop
II in the evening to see if she was all
right"
As soon as she heard the front door
close she quickly arose and ran to the
window, from where she watched him
until he was out Of sight.
SWELL" she declared. IF all young
men were like him, I would soon lose
my reputation for being afraid of
them"
True to his promise. Allen Morse |
rang the doorbell of Elizabeth Martins
home at eight o'clock that evening.
He was surprised when She herself |
the ring, and invited him in,
,ut greater surprise was waiting |
girl friends, for before he
eft her that evening Allen had given
lis promise to accompany her on the
,leighing party.
The following evening bright moon
lighted the way for merry crowd.
,acked tightly in large sleigh. Eliza
,eth Martin was undoubtedly the hap
nest member Of the party, unless per.
,aps it was Allen Morse. As she pre-