The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-03-18
AN UGLY DUCkLING
BY ALICE

Four of them We're enthusiastically
planning a slcighing 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 SleiShing party. They try
ing to decide what fellows they could
depend upon to e up their party.
There is that new family across
the street and perfectly stunning
young mar ONE out Of the house
every morning, but he simply will not
look at II of u.s." said the hostess
with a hopeless sigh. He was preS-
ent at the church social the other eve
ming. and when l met him the next
morning I thought surely he would
recognize me, but he passed by with
out even looking at me
Each girl had some such story to
relate, excepting Elizabeth.
Soon Elizabeth excused herself, and
with a hurried good-by she went out
II suppose Beth would have to be
jncl'ried," said one girl.
"Ycs. hut I doubt if she will co. re-
piled another. You know how she is
when there are fellows concerned"
Just outside in the hallway Eliza
beth Martin smothered Il low cry. She
had come back, unnoticed. for her rub
hers, and as she heard her name
tossed around she took a quick step
forward as if to rush into the room
where the girls We're talking. A mo-
mcnt later she had changed her mind,
and noiselcssly she slipped out of the
house and hurried across the street
and home.
so that was what they thought!
She was afraid of fellows! We'll, she
would show them something. She.
who had never had q beau-She would
so on their. sleighing party and she
would so with a fellow, too. Yes, she
would 20 With Allen Morse, the fell
low who had just moved in, next door
The fellow That all the girls had tried
would not fail! Then perhaps they
would change their minds, and she
would be the ugly duckling NJ longer.
The next thing to decide was chow
to meet him." 1t was Tuesday and the
party was to be Thursday. She spent
the rest Of the afternoon AMI evening
In thought. That day the sun had
sllonc brightly, and the snow on the
walk in front of her house had
melted.
"If it freezes tonight. l can do it,"
she told herself and as size dropped off
TO sleep late that night, a smile rested
on her lips.
FATE was with her, for the next
morning vas cold and windy. She
was up early :lnl with her coat on aud
an attrac1iv" tam, which was arranged
hecOmingIy over one ear. she stood in
the doorway. hidden from view by !;
curtain which WAS drawn partly aside.
She watched III" pedestrians as they
passed. carefully picking their way
along the icy sidewalk.
Suddenly the curtain at tho door
was drawn together and Elizabeth
Martin came quickly out of her house.
Just as y young main calnr into view
in front of his own house. next door,
They both reached The end of Eliza
bcth'S walk at the same moment, and
their yes met. AZ Elizabeth turned
the corncr her foot Slipped on tho ice.
and with a low cry she fell forward.
Allen Morse threw out his arms and
caught her. holding her closely for Il
brief moment. hut long enough TO
bring Il 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 M of pain. and kept II firm hold
on her arm. AS she Stepped forward
she Swayed Il little. then sank back
in his arms.
Better let me help you" he offered,
and with a supporting arm around
her, he led her back into the house.
He made sure that she was resting
comfortably before he left her, with
a usual remark that che would drop
In 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.
well" she declared, "if all young
men We're 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
answered the ring. and invited him in,
hut a greater surprise was waiting
E~lizabe;h's girl friends. for before he
left her that evening Allen had given
his promise to accompany her on the
%sleighing party.
The Following ]nvpninr q hrirht n,onp