The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-03-25
BETWEEN RIVERS
oy FLORENCE MeIlisH.

N<<<~<<ss<sSS<sssse =
"a isfs. By Neciur. Newspaper syndicate
woman's sphere had offered priz'
for the best true love story. and WI
frer-Thaycr. professor OF English In
Carleton college. had been appointed
Judge of the contest. lie was not en-.
chnn'ed with the task. judging from
the slightly bored expression on his
handsome face n he bent over q desk
piled with manuscripts.
Il wonder u amid this conglamcra.
tion Of sentiment and iiorid rhetoric
there II one genuine experience. Thank
fortune this Is the last"
lie smoothed out the manuscript, and
read the title: between the Rivers"
MY word, That sounds familiar"
wllfred gave q low whistle. The hap
plest year of his life had been spent
In rural locality. styled by the In.
habitants Of the nearest village he
tween the Rivers" lie began TO read
and the bored expression gave place
TO one % unmistakable interest. u was
the story % q girls first love affair
and u began with nm appreciatiye pie.
ture Of her young lover. A puzzled
frown between wllfred's eyebrows
dcrpened ~ he read. Tie raised his
head aud looked critically az his ~
Election In a mirror that CHANGED 10 he
over his desk.
"well.' he laughed. "if u were not
for n few prematurcly gray hnirs and
wrinkles caused by excessive mental
la-bor. this fair contestant might have
attempted n pen portrait of myself"
lie finished the pathetic little STORY
for II was pathetic.
1T hasn't the happy ending that one
generally expects That's one point
against H."
There was an idyllic courtship.
little misunderstanding. aud parting:
and" the story concluded. Il never
saw him agnin."
Wilfred's frown had disappeared. His
smile grew softly reminiscent. How
often Phyllis liarker and he had
leaned ON the railing 20 watch the
Assawauga glide under the bridge. aud
how many golden hours they had spent
on the Quinnabaug.
Could this be his own love story a.
well as the auihor'sl No. Phyllis
iinrker was too proud. too fine To make
copy of her tenderest memories. Never
theless his fingers trcmbled ~ ha
opened the separate paper containing
the contestants name aud address.
Phyllis Kenyon! Another colnci-
dencel The name Phyllis was unusual;
Kenyon might be her married name.
lie glanced NJ the address-57 Myrtle
street. Ashton. by an odd concurrence
OF events. he would address the Won.
ems club OF Ashton on Twentieth
Century Poets" the very next day.
The next day. after his address was
over, and as soon as he could escape
from the fervid appreciation Of vari.
Gus members Of the club. the profess
sor looked for 81 Myrtle street. lie
gave his card to the maid who opened
the door Of the unpretentlous house.
and waited In the neat parlor, with
his heart beating faster than he Ap-
proved.
Phyllis paused on the threshold for
glance OF recognition. possibly of mp.
praisal. before she came forward 20 !
greet him. She had certain air Of |
dignity and remoteness. though she |
gave him her hand with unembarrass-d |
kindness.
This Is good Of you. Professor !
rhayer. was sorry not To hear your |
address,"
II am afraid you did not lose much.
Mrs. Kenyon"
Miss Kenyon" she corrected him.
"But why" he 1usksd and hest.
ated.
She smiled again. at l. only my
name that Is changed. Soon after We
some years ago Mrs. Charlotte Ken
ron persuaded me 90 20 abroad with |
ier 20 have my voice trained. She |
llso prevailed On me To take her mime.
'nd she promised 90 bequeath 10 me
UT iAAf pfhp'iAl VA E'thtu nut ptuy u
'e seated and let u talk a little. Mrs.
rhayer II not with your
Mrs. Thayerf''
Il heard of your marriage a few
tears ago 90 Miss Hepburn"
"oh. that was my brother. am
Itill solitary"
She blushed slightly. lie glanced nj
Ia upright plano In one corner OF ia.
'oom.
You slngf' he suggested.
mot now" A slight shadow crossed
Ter face. "a throat trouble made a
slight operation necessary. and my /
'lnging voice has never come back. |
But how did you know that I was
leref'
For answer he drew her manuscript |
rom his inner pocket. She recognized |
L with little cry.
Phyllis" he reproached her. how
rould you give this To the worldf'
She bowed her head upon her hands. |
-Oh. Wllfred. needed the money ~
badly. and I thought no one would ever
know whose story II was"
s.poor uttl. gfrl (" he Interrunt..l n