The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-07-28
A GREAT GIRL
sy RATTLE OXFORD.

I which IN hues approrimnted IN. Pefeb-
malls OF Mrs Bsylle's old-fashioned
flower garden. were bending over the
beds with delighted explanations.
These I'VE young women, Mrs. Bay
lies roomers. were saturating them
selves with the summer morning out
side before going 10 their respective
places Of business.
The postman handed Miss Old Rose
Sweater the mail for the house. She
separated a card from the rest, an
bouncing: That's for Dwight FL
wood. our interesting new roomer from
the West. Want me to read II to
your"
THAT would be awfully cheeky
Miss Lavender Sweater objected.
ooh do. do" coaxed Miss Orange
Sweater and Miss Blue Sweater, with
mlschleyous dancing eyes.
"All right. here goes:
"DwIght. my dear boy esterday
for one happy" She dropped II
as though II had suddenly grown red
hot. A tall. smiling young man stood
at her side.
"Tm not homesick any more ne
said. "You folks here are just Ike
the good, curious folks way back
home"
He picked up the card and handed
II 10 her. $50 on, Miss Ainslie, the
girls want 10 hear the rest.
II don't wsnt-I won't read another
word" Miss Ainslie declared. blushing
and looking extremely uncomfortapie'
She handed back the card.
"very well, then" he said briskly,
-rll read II to you.
dwight, my dear boy-Yesterday
for one happy moment thought l
heard your footsteps on my veranua.
Then I remembered the thousands OF
miles between us. am thinking OF
you constantly and wishing all KINDS
OF good things for you. l Will answer
your nice. long letter soon. DON'T
let any of the New England girls take
away my place in your heart. De
votedly,
"'Your Chum Next Door.
"There" he exclaimed with a salts
fed smile, "aren't you glad | have
girl back home who isn't ashamed 10
let the world know how much she
thinks OF mef"
The girls murmured with a con-
spicuous lack of enthusiasm that his
girl was certainly worth having.
Just then four OF the girls got on
the electric car. Ruth Holt, In the
lavender sweater, started to walk, as
her office was barely half a mile
away. Dwight Elwood asked perinis-
sion to walk with her.
81 work I'm the building opposite
yours" he said; $50 glad ! can have
company
The young man spoke at length on
the excellence OF the girl back home
as they walked along, on her cool
Il ouick-witted management OF her car
in emergencies, on the quantity, qual-
lty and diversity of the work she ola
for her country In war time
"And her letters, Miss Holt-rm GO
Il Ing TO redd you eAtioetS
| They are so bright In spots they
fairly put your eyes out Oh, l tell
YOU. Priscilla Arden's great girl
She lives right next to where 1 i've
with my father and aunt-my mother
died when | was a baby-and has
I always been my jolly good chum."
Not long after this Dwight began
10 act as IL he had forgotten Priscilla
Arden. He stopped reading extracts
from her letters TO Ruth, and rarely
mentioned her name. Ruth wondered
great deal.
Three seasons passed and spring
/ came. Dwight sought until he found
Ruth I'm a uncovered summer mousse
in the lower end Of the garden one
day. He had something on his mind.
L OF IL rolled right then and there
II seemed TO him as If a million arc
| lights were making luminous the fact
that Ruth and himself were just made
for each other He spoke his convic-
lions. He was bound that the girl
should see as he saw and agree 10
his life-together proposition.
But the girl jumped up and faced
him squarely, eyes flashing: Confess
you made a similar fervent speech TO
your girl back home before you left.
No doubt you'll make another 70 stu
another girl before long. Shame on
you for forgetting that fine girl
Ruth" the young man said, Il could
tell you something which would i'm
mediately set your mind at rest but
| want to feel you trust me without
any more explaining"
Miss Holt, a letter for you"
Ruth took the letter from the maid.
She opened ii, and read the signature
first: Priscilla Arden" Surprisedf
she was. She was absurdly apprehen-
slve. too. So, Dwight had told the
girl and the girl was going 10 upbraid
her. She started 70 read:
MY Dear Ruth-You are Ruth to
me already. 50 glad you have de-
cided 10 make DWIGHT happy but you
1880. tata INV r,Iara fu his heHrf-nO