Oxford Democrat., 1921-08-16
The Happy
Exchange
By CORONA REMINGTON


oancing eyes. and she liked the nick
name immensely, especially coming
fram him. but there was fly In thu
ointment. and 1t was big-he was en-
gagged to one Of the prettiest. richest
most popular girls In town and had
been long before she became hii
stenographer, six months ago.
For that reason she felt impelled
to hide the Joy In her eyes and never
once had she let him address her thus
without some comment Of disapproval
II know It," he would say miserably
You're right and / don't mean to be
disloyal to Alice. but, confound It
you're the happiest thing I ever saw
You constantly remind me of spring
sunshine and big, old-fashiOned gar
dens all full Of blossoms and into1icat'
ing perfumes"
"Oh!" the girl caught her breath
II used to live in q place like that
Just full Of flowers and wonderful
great big old house that rambled end
lessly on"
"And what happenedf" asked the
man, simply.
Father died, mothers health broke
down and we sold the place when
was fourteen and tried one climate
after another. Three years later she
died and l had to take business
course. I've been at 1t ever since"
"Poor little GIRL" said Ralph Bar
rows gently.
"It's not so bad" she smiled, "only
sometimes l get dreadfully homesick
for the old life and dreadfully tired
of stenography and typewriting. Moth
ing but that six days week for fifty
weeks a year. But, goodness You're
making me sorry for myself instead OF
being glad didn't have tC be clerk
In store"
"That's a fact, Cory. You're q
philosophical girl, aren't your
1t was the first time he had ever
called her by her given name. He had
always said Miss Trevers before, but
she let 1t 60 without comment. II
was so hard to be endlessly taking q
man down for saying things you
wanted him to say, especially when he
was so absolutely charming and gen.
tlemanly and SO lovely about 1t when
you did give him little hints.
His fiancee was a cold, imperious,
selfish thing, who would sweep into
the office once or twice week, glare
at Cory with unconcealed animosity,
ask for Mr.. Barrows and mercilessly
drag him off to some luncheon or
matinee. Cory often wondered what
he could see in her and how anybody
on earth could love her enough to
want to marry her. She was so cold
and he was so warm and impulsive.
II guess that impulsiveness Is ex-
actly what"
With a jerk she stopped herself.
"Pm a jealous little cat-that's all.
He loves her, suppose, and why
shouldn't he? I'm simply spiteful to
conjure up all these imaginary bad
qualities In her, but love him, / love
him, and she doesn't love anybody.
believe If / thought she did 1t wouldn't
be so hard, but to give him up to
some one who can't ever appreciate
him!
"Im raving," she told herself.
abruptly. Love him-what right have
1? Give him up-hOw can / give up
what isn't mine? But he should be
mine according to all the laws OF ma
ture. / know he should know he
shOuldv"
The girl with the dancing eyes
looked blankly into space and tried to
explain the inexplicable.
BY next morning she had made up
her mind and, with pale face and eyes
that did not dance, she confronted her
employer.
"Mr. BarrOws." she said, hurriedly,
'I'm going to resign the first OF the
month"
IF you think It's best, I know 1t is, /"
he said quietly. II could trust you to
do the noble thing"
Miss Trevers flushed with gratitude
and was happier than she had been In
weeks.
"Thank you so much," she an
swered.
"But, Cory. I hope 1t isn't any
harm to say 1t, but-you know how
feelEdon't your"
The girl hung her head. IL do"
she answered in a whisper.
After leaving Mr.. Burrows office
the days dragged wearily on. Each
morning she hoped that he would not
call her up and each night she was
wretchedly disappointed because he
had not done so. A whole month
passed before she heard from him
again, but at last his cheerful voice
came over the telephone.
'4That you, COrry?"
"Yes," answered the girl, her heart
jumping.
"This is Barrows-I just wanted te
ask you something; please promise
you'll do 1t before you know what II
Is"
"pd be afraid until knew" she 70
turned.
"But can't you trust me this 0ncei
I Thought yOu would" came back II
disappointed tones.
"Of course / WILL" answered the
girl, hastily. "Please forgive"
"Well. .tomorrow's Sunday. and YOU
birthday. / remember you told me, ant
] want to take you out In the car and
show you the house / bought. must
know what you think Of 1t. You're
such a pal. you wouldn't mind, would
your"
"Why. Il could hardly-well, yes. III
90" answered the girl. trying to keeI
he iremor out of her voice.
Good I'll be around at mint
o'clock tomorrow" he repeated, JOY
fully.
@Her home" she said, bitterly. a
she hung up the receiver. "Hov
clumsy men are. What torture 1t VII
be to me, but must keep stiff uppe
lid. It's easy to see what's the mat
ter; he wants me to sympathizs ant
rave over 1t because she hasn't snougl
feeling and enthusiasm to do i"
Barr0ws was unusually cheer1u
that Sunday morning AZ they whixze'
along the country roads
"Just smell the spring" he said
~