Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-03-25
ROMANCE
BY ELEANOR II. RUSSELL.

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/ 'e0a 1890 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
The letter addressed in an unknown
handwriting seemed to jump to Anne's
eye as II lay on the table among the
days mail. She slit ii open eagerly
and as she read soft flush rose in
her face.
"Well, never expected anything
Ike that written to me-" she ex-
claimed. "A rare type of American
womanhood' and I should consider II
privilege to come all the way from
New YORK TO grasp your little hand. ="
The bold signature. Gregory Phil
! Ups told ;he story. He was sutton
of her chum, Grace, who lived in New
YORK. When Grace had decided 10
| break her engagement 10 Gregory, and
not daring 10 confess II 10 him had
! Planned simply to disappear. Anne had
written her a stra ightforward note of
] advice.
You've always been honorable and
/ courageous" she had written. Don't
fall now. Face ii out with him" And
Grace had needed her advice and had
evidently told Gregory whence it came.
/ lhiS was his note of appreciation to
Anne. 1t brought thrill to her as
she read. man much older than
she. who knew so much holding her
up as criterion of all thar was
womanly and fine All that was ro-
nance!
But that evening romance had to be
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 reply came quickly. She
wrote ditiidently at first, but as time
went on she began to open her heart
more freely to her understanding
! friend.
Even stolid, 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 to me you're getting
kind Of pale. and BESIDES" here his
face lit up. i've a little house on
| Pleasant street to show you Not
very nice neighborhoOd, but just our
size"
Pm sorry Jim. not tonight" and
Anne closed the conversation
week later the crisis came.
Gregory Phillips wrote he was coming
from New York for the express pur-
pose of seeing her. Annes excitement
knew no bounds. She bought a whole
new outfit for the occasion. A soft,
black satin dress and a dream of a
mallnes hat that set off her golden hair
to perfection, and a pair of dainty
slippers. They made a dent in her
savings.
On the great evening Anne sat
a-twItter with excitement from the
trembling crown of her hat to the very
tips of her slippers, waiting for MIN
in secluded corner of hotel draw
ing-room. Surely they would know
each other, she thought she and the
prince of her dreams Suddenly she
looked up as a tall man entered with
a 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,
a little bald. and even at a distance
the lines under his world-weary eyes
and the STOPPING shoulders of disll-
fusion had not escaped her.
did 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 a din
ner Her food lay barely tasted on her
plate while her hero talked on and
on. Nothing of how wonderful she
was now. but 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. We'll have tea
and then have tickets for the front
row of the best show In town" tOf
course. he would put II that way. APP
parentiy he had the best of every
thing.)
After he had gone, Anne faced the
facts squarely. How could she go
through two more whole days of it,
A poet on paper. but such a poor
prince! But she was a plucky 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 undlsguised disillu-
sionment In Anne's face. Phillips grew
morose and sullen. he couldn't
imagine why he had wasted his good
time and money on this little New