The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1921-02-24
ROMANCE
BY ELEANOR n. Russell

&c. 1929, by Mcclure Mewspa per Syndicate |
The letter addressed In an unEU1%n
handwriting seemed TO jump to Aunes
eye as it lay on the table among The
days mail. She slit II open eagerly
and as she read soft flush rose in
her face.
We'll, | never expected anything
like that written to me-" she eX-
claimed. "a rare type OF American
womanhOOd and i should consider ii
a privilege to come all the way from
New York to grasp your little hand "
The bold signature. "Gregory phil
lips" told the story. He was q sUitOr
OF her chum, Grace, who lived II New
York. When Grace had decided 70
break her engagement TO GregOry, and
not daring to confess 1t to him had
planned simply to disappear, Anne had
written her straightforward note of
advice.
you've always teen honorable and
courageous" she had written "pOnt
fall now. Face it out with him" And
Grace had needed her advice and had
evidently told Gregory whence 1t came.
This was his note of appreciation TO
Anne. 1t brought a thrill to her as
she read. A man much Older than
she. who knew so much. holding her
up as q criterion OF all that was
wornaniy and fine! Ali. that was re-
nance!
But that evening romance had to he
tucked away in the blouse Of Anne's
gown. because Jim was coming to
take her TO the movies.
In due time Anne answered the let
ter and q reply came quickly. She
wrote diffidently at first. but as time
went on she began to open her heart
more freely to her understanding
friend.
Even stold. prosaic Jim thought
she was becoming more Indifferent
and dreamy than was her wont.
mo, | don't want to go to walk.
I've got letters to write," she said
Petulantly one evening.
You'd better come out" replied
Jim. Seems 70 me you're getting
kind of pale, and besides" here his
face lit up. i've a little house on
Pleasant street 10 show you. Not
very nice neighbOrhood, but just our
size"
I'm sorry, Jim not tonight" and
Anne closed the conversation.
A week later the crisis came.
Gregory Phillips wrote he was coming
from New York for the express pur-
pose Of seeing her. Anne's excitement
knew nn bounds. She bought whole
new outfit for the occasion soft,
black satin dress and dream of a
malines hat that ses off her golden hair
to perfection. and a pair of dainty
slippers. They made dent In her
savings.
on the great evening Anne sat
a-twittel with excitement from the
tips of her slippers. waiting for him
in a secluded corner Of a hotel draw
ing.room. Surely they would know
each other, she thought. she ard the
prince of her dreams. Suddenly she
looked up as a tall man entered with
quick. self-assured step. His eyes
roamed over the room. Anne's heart
gave one great bound and then stopped
completely. She felt stunned and,
| obeying her first impulse bent her
| head. For he was not at all as her
| imagination had pictured him. Thin.
1 hof nd o+ lsc+n
the lines under his worId-weary eyes
| and the STOPPING shoulders OF disil-
| fusion had not escaped her.
Ibid you think hiding your face
| would prevent me from knowing your
| startled her. and she looked up.
Anne never quite realized how she
| got through the first Sickening mo-
ments or the miserable farce of din
! ner. Her food lay barely tasted on her
| plate while her "hero" talked on and
on. Nothing of how wonderful she
| was now. hut all of himself, his sue
/ cess. his money. his car and his clubs
Somehow the evening progressed and
he left her at her door with the
| words:
Tomorrow afternoon. weIl have tea
/ and then have tickets for the front
| row of the hest show in town." fOt
course he would put 1t that way. Ap
parently he had the best of every,
| thing,)
After he had gone, Anne faced the
| facts squarely. How could she &c
/ through two more whole days Of 1t.
| A poet on paper. hut such poor
/ prince! But she was pucky little
thing and having gotten herself into
the scrape she determined to see II
through
"And told Jim I'd be busy over the
whole weekend" she moaned to her
SELF
Angered by the undisguised disillu
sionment In Anne's face. Phillips grew
morose and suIlen. He couldn'
| Imagine why he had wasted his go06
time and money on this little New
England iceberg. He determined II
4 -. -.