Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-11-23
VIA. THE PINK ONE
BY HESTER cALoERwooo.

4
Everyone he had met that day on
/ his way 10 the office had said: Good
morning. Mr.. Clifford; fine morning.
isn't itF And Larry Clifford had
gazed into the sky and had seen that
/ IL was blue and cloudless and that
the sun was shining, and had suddenly
discovered that II was fine day-out-
side. But when he opened the door OF
his misunderstanding Office. everything
was dingy and lonely-like his own
thoughts.
Perhaps Erma Clark was to blame.
/ perhaps she wasn't. Anyway, he had
accompanied her to one of the usual
/ twice-a-week theater trips that night.
but he had not accompanied her home.
She left him at the theater door and
told him, very decidedly. that she pre-
ferred TO go home alone.
SO Larry plodded back TO his two
uninviting. rented rooms with down
cast heart and Erma's fiery words still
ringing I'm his ears-wOrds 10 the effect
that be had become SO engrossed in
his business of late that he had
neglected her TO the point Of rudeness.
A wonderful frame of mind to be
In at the start of long Office day I
Larry's head felt heavy aud stupid
and duh, too.
And the work that was before him
His desk was fairly swamped with
letters. And right on top of the pile
was pink envelope, addressed in "A
feminine hand.
Larry gave a disguised groan and
threw the letter on the floor.
The door opened Larry wheeled
around i'm his chair and saw a tall,
slender girl enter the room. She was
dressed In soft, dark brown. But the
chic French veil she wore was Of such
dark, dense shade that ii completely
hid her features from him.
"Hello" the person said. "Alone7
Isn't that nicer
Larry stared at her a moment, then,
remembering that he hadn't risen to
his feet. hastily did so and stood before
her awkwardly silent.
Larry hadn't long to wonder, for the
girl was already lOosening the veil
from her face. and then
"Erma ?" he cried joyously spring
ing toward her. "Erma-dear."
Il couldn't stay away any longer,
Larry" she whispered softly, coming
closer To him.
but you said"
The girl pressed a small hand over
his mouth. Il know l said a lot OF
things, Larry dear, and I've come to
be forgiven for them; the things |
said about you being selfish and ugly,
mean"
"But I'm afraid ! did neglect you,
Erma. l didn't Think had more
business than / could attend TO last
week. and II simply wouldn't let me
I think of anybody or anything else"
Larry. you didn't neglect me ;
you've been wonderful 10 me-always.
needed this lesson-the thought that
perhaps you wouldn't forgive me-to
make me understand"
Larry didn't answer. He only stood
silently before her, too happy, too be-
wildered TO speak.
Dear" she was saying in her soft,
low voice, Il know how to appreciate
you now. / couldn't get along without
you. love you, Larry / love you.
Please, please. forgive me-"
Then it was that Larry spoke.
Dearest" he cried hOarsely, stay
with me always; promise me. 1 love
you, Erma dear. love"
His last words We're lost as he gath
cred her close I'm his arms and smoth-
cred his face in her hair, his whole
heart filed with a new, warm joy OF
having her back again. For several
moments they remained thus, until the
sharp striking Of the Office clock awoke
Larry and he lifted his head, still quite
dazed. from the letter-littered desk
top.
So that was all Erma was still
lost. he was still alone; il had only
been a dream.
lie mustn't think about 1t any Ion
ger. he told himself. His work must be
done and he would tackle the worst
part first. So thinking. he picked up
the pink envelope, which had fallen
at his feet, and opened IL. Ii read:
Dearest Larry-In half an hour
will be at your Office, so have all call
ers out by then. I'm coming TO be
forgiven for the horrid things l said
TO you, Larry dear. I've missed you
terribly since last night and I'm In
such a hurry to see you that | can't
stop TO write any more.
lots of love,
"ERMA."
Erma had been lost and now she
was found again. And happiness had
-.--- -. L :. -. H.. thn rs-nr nf the nink