The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-05-12
AN UGLY DUCKLING
BY ALICE FREEMAN.

"A Sioup VI I've SIIIS were SlltlllS DS-
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 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
cut even looking at me!'
Each girl had some such story to
relate, excepting Elizabeth.
Soon Elizabeth excused herself, and |
with hurried good-by she went out.
81 suppose Beth would have to be
inclnded." said one girl.
Eyes. but I doubt if she will CO." 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
hp1 hnc1y r116
bers, and as she heard her name
tossed around she took a quSck step |
forward as if to rush into the room
where the girls were talking. A mo-
ment later she had changed her mind, |
and noiselessly she slapped 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 hever had beau-she would |
go on their sleighing party and she i
would go with a fellow, too. Yes, she
would 20 with Allen Morse, the fcl. |
low who had just moved in, next door |
the 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 show
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 it freezes tonight. / can do it,
she told herself and as she dropped of
to sleep late that night 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 a
curtain which was drawn partly aside
She watched the pedestrians as 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 a young man came into view
IN front of his own house, next door
They both reached the end of Eliza.
heth's walk at the same moment. and
their eyes met. AS 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 q
brief moment, but long enough to
bTing 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 hole
on her arm. AS she stepped forward
she swayed a little, then sank bach
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
comfortably before he left her, with |
q casual remark that "he would drop |
in In the evening to see if she was al |
right"
AS soon as she heard the front dooi |
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 youns
men were like him, would soon lose |
my reputation for being afraid Of
them"
True to his promise. Allen Mors, |
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 |
but greater surprise was waiting