The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-08-15
READJUST NJ EMIT
26

1t vas Pandora's pride that saved
her finally.
At five, when she dared not stay
in her room any longer, she got up
and washed and dressed in her incest
white dress, combed her hair and
rubbed and pinched her cheeks to
force color into them. Then with her
chin held high, and her hands like
ice she went downstairs.
We'll, you're a nice one, staying
away from my party!" Gladys greeted
her with great good humor. Mother
said you were tired-and here I've
gone and gotten engaged while you've
been sleeping!"
Have you? l mean-I know. I'm
glad" she managed to answer.
You do know-did you hear u.s."
"Oh-I-Tve known a long time
Dora ever managed to kiss Gladys,
and to turn and offer her hand TO Nor
ton. She did not dare look at him.
If she had, she would have seen q
queer mixture of confusion and regret.
'Mortie looks sheepish." Gladys
cried, laughing at him. Never mind,
you'll get used to being engaged.
Look at me, I'm used to it already"
And she went over to him and took
his hand, a piece of wit which made
the family laugh.
Aunt Maude disappeared to get
supper" And Dora followed, glad to
escape from the rest of the company.
You're tired; you go back with
them, l "a manage" Aunt Maude pro-
tested, feeling that Dora NEST be gen
timely i'll to look so. She remembered
That tho GIRL had prOffQn most of the
big dinner alone.
I've been overworking you" she
said with a sudden feeling of con
science.
No, I'd rather help" The girl had
to have something to do. setting
table and slicing bread kept her hands
busy and her mind employed. She
could not go back to her room.
But after supper she went to hel
room again. Gladys and Morton wer'
in the parlor; the family, with some
what obvious tact, had retired to tht
sitting room"-in and about Norri:
City, one sat in the sitting roonl, anG
kept the parlor sacred to guests.
Once in her room, there was no
even the simplest task to keep he
hands busy and her mind diverted
there was nothing to do but think
And the last thing Dora wanted to d.
was think!
Finally she reached into the DO!
where the locked diary lay, and tool
it out. The things that would no
come out in words, found expression
there.
Morton and Gladys are engaged,
she began m~ethodically. Il wonde
why l did not see it coming"
She closed the book and sat for
while at the window. Later she wen
back to it.
Once l wrote that my imaginar.
friends were more satisfactory thai
my real ones. My imaginary womal
friend has always been so. But
thought l had found a real mar VIII,
was nicer than any l could hav,
imagined.
And l have. My imagined idea
man isn't handsome. Handsome mel
grow conceited and are spoiled b.
women He's homely, has reddis
hair because red isn't popular, freckle
to match, homely features and a yer
kindly expression. He is kindly-I'v
come TO think that is the greatest vii
tue a man can have.
"Of ourse this is a picture of N
I've let myself fall in love with N
l thought no one appreciated him, an
that l deserved his liking because
did appreciate his fneness and gooC
ness ! V have found a flaw i
him. l cannot think that G. ca
appreciate him. She isn't like that.
don't know why she wants him.
seems unfair, when she has everythin