Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-12-14
Mr.. MOTLEY
~ NINA RAMSAY.
e9SSSSSSS SSeS4SeSSS
1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndi'

"My Dear Miss Landers-You will
no doubt think me very bold for adj
dressing you without an introduction,
but l assure you l am absolutely in
earnest. l have seen you many times
in the neighborhood Of your college,
and my sincere admiration has at last
overcome discretion. Can you-will
you-meet me at the Plaza hotel next
Friday evening, for dinner? / will
wear white carnation, and, If you
wish, my mother can accompany us.
"Please find it in your heart to do
this, Miss Landers, and my everlast-
ing gratitude and devotion viii be
yours.
D. "Most sincerely, your friend,
GEORGE SHOTOVER."
A short silence followed the dra-
matte reading of this curious letter,
then shrill chorus Of excited feminine
voices rent the air:
"Kate!" shrieked Wag, her room
mate and bosom friend, "how per-
fectly thr-illing!"
my dear, don't you imagine he'll be
a poet or something" "Or maybe IN
the movies" II wonder If he knows
any more nice menr' kate, you will
keep the date. won't you, dearT'
Kate spoke for the first time. "Tm
not so-sure." she said, thoughtfully.
katherine Evangeline Landers J"
protested four angry young voices,
"Why notY'
''Kate!" Indignantly, "just what Is
the matter with that lovely letter"
"Well, il you must know, it sounds
nshy to me-too good to be true. All,
ha, Billy Williams, what are you snig-
gerinE at-are you alias Mr.. George
Shotover?"
Better get table at the Plaza Fri
day night and watch the fun. kids,
I've changed my mind" said Kate.
"Now what" inQuireda rueful Billy,
after she had gone, do you suppose
she meant by ttWt?'
A few minutes later Rates slim,
boyish figure could be seen hurrying
down Everett street. At the corner
drug store she stopped uncertainty,
then turned and walked boldly, In and
up to the telephone booth.
Main, 600. please, Hello, may I
speak with Mr.. Motley. Oh, is this
you speaking, Hugh? This is Kate.
No, no. not that. I merely wanted to
ask you to help me out Of scrape.
Oh, Hugh, thanks, just oodles-"
Friday evening arrived at last. The
luxurious dining-room Of the Plaza
sparkled in the glow of softly shaded
lights. and the subdued laughter of
pleasure-seeking clientele. In one cor
ner a group of four trinity clad girls
seemed in the best of spirits. Dinner
was progressing leisurely and con-
tinuOus flow of small talk covered
their eager surveillance of the scene.
kate is pretty sharp" suggested
Billy. "What If she suspects that we
wrote the letter-great guns, kids,
don't you hope she comes?'
'Methinks she will look in vain for
the white carnation," Uttered another.
"Ah-h!" cried Billy, rapturously, re
venge will be sweet. Oh, mercy, here
she comes now!"
Sure enough, stately and nOli-
chalant Kate sauntered easily beyond
them to small table next the wall
which had evidently been reserved.
"The plot thickens," muttered Wag
In a stage whisper.
A man approached Rates table, and
not one of the astounded girls was so
astOunded that she failed to notice the
sureness of his step or the way women
on all sides turned to watch his pow
erful figure as he bowed courteously,
almost too formally, over Rates ex-
tended hand. But the eyes of all four
girls were riveted on a single white
carnation in the coat lapel of the
handsome stranger
In fascinated silence they watched
the tableau before them. The man
seated himself opposite Kate and i'm
mediately there ensued conversation
SO engrossing that an obseQhious wait
er nearly coughed himself hoarse try
ing to attract their attention. Kate
smiled and dimpled bewitchingly and
the mans absorption increased by
leaps and bounds, even to the agonized
eyes 81 the girls nearby.
"Help!" moaned Billy family. Lets
get out Of this. l don't quite know
what the matter isl think I've been
bewitched."
Silence being the easiest means Of
consent four very sheepish-looking
girls stealthily gathered up their
wraps and were about to slip silently
away when waiter touched Billy on
the arm.
"From the gen'rman, miss"
Billy automatically stretched out her
hand to receive single white carna-
ton, attached 10 a card. The girls
crowded close to read in stony 81
lence:
ITO Miss Billy and her pals, with
the sincere compliments Of Hugh Mot
ley, alias Mr.. George Shotover."
Advancing Arts OF Peace.
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