The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1921-03-10
ROMANCE



t(c, 1899 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
lhe letter addressed in an unknown
handwriting seemed to jump to Anne's
eye as it lay on the table among the
days mail. She slit 1t 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 4 should consider II
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 suitor
of her chum. Grace. who lived in New
York. When Grace had decided TO
break her engagement to Gregory, and
not daring TO confess II 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. Don't
fall now. Face it out with him" And
Grace had needed her advice and had
evidently told Gregory whence It came.
This was his rote of appreciation TO
Anne. 1t brought thrill to her as
she read. A man much older than
size. who knew so much, holding her
up as a criterion Of all that was
womanly and fine! All, that was ro-
nance.
But that evening romance had TO he
tn"ked awag ~ the blouse OF AHHe's
gown, because Jim was coming to
take her to the movies.
~ln due time Anne answered the let
'H' nnd reply came quickly. She
wrote efficiently 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.
'"N". 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 lii up. I've a little house on
Pleasant street TO show you. Not a
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 40 bounds. She bought q whole
new outfit for the occasion. A soft,
black satin dress and a dream of a
malines 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 him
i'm secluded corner of a hotel draw
ingroom. sSurely 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,
oheying her first impulse. bent her
head. For he was not at all as her
imagination had pictured him. Thin,
little bald. and even at distance
the lines under his world-weary eyes
and the STOPPING shoulders of disil-
lusion 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 q 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 I have tickets for the front
row of the best show In town." (Of
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 IT
/ poet on paper. but such "a poor
| prince, But she was 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 week -end," she moaned to her
self
Angered by the undisguised disillu
| sionment in Anpe's face. Phillips grew
morpse and sullen. He couldn't
| imagine why he bad wasted his good
| time and money on this little New
| England iceberg. He determined to
/ cut his trip short.
Their parting was chilly. Anne
i Il ..hx - u