The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-11-03
PLANS
Chapter 80

Pan went, obediently.
There was a low stool that sat. usu-
ally, in front of the coal fireplace, that
was to heat the room in Winter
George leaned over and pulled this in
front of his chair, and Pan sat down
on it,
This is like the evening | went to
see you and took you supper and upse.
Gloria so,' Pan said as she settled
down comfortably and clasped her
hands around her knees.
Yes, do you know l almost told YOU
| loved you them" He was leaning
forward a little, so he was quite near
her and looking down at her. "Your
complete forgetfulness of yourself and
OF silly conventions, your desire to
make me -were-well-.
Gloria said they were flattering,"
ran looked up at him with a little
amused smile
"Oh, Gloria!" Gloria's sense of hui
NOR irritated George in his present
sentimental state. Gloria would say
something like that! 1t was-very
touching. But even then l wasn't sure
you were-so very fine and sweet all
through"
Inen Georges own sense of humor
came to his rescue. He leaned back,
found another cigaret in his case and
lit 1t. Then he began again:
don't IN the least see why
should demand so much sweetness and
flneness from the woman l love. l
certainly don't deserve it"
oh. but you dol" Pan touched his
knee with a small brown hand.
Not bit. I'm cynical sour, grow
ing old, easily annoyed My Aunt has
frequently remarked that she's sorry
Tor my wife. Do you think you'll be
sorry you married me?"
You haven't asked me to yet" the
girl answered demurely.
Good heavens Haze | omitted
that formality? TIA because we've
been talking of Gloria and other things
that don't matter. Pandora, will you
marry me-"
He leaned forward again toward her.
For answer she said simply:
i love you, and she stretched out
one hand to touch his shoulder, as he
kissed her.
So in that way they became formally
engaged.
Il feel, in a way that l ought to
adopt, rather than marry you" George
remarked little later. You are SO
very young. How old are you, PAM
Twenty-Five" she answered proud
~ though the birthday was recent
Child" he said again. DO you
know how old | ann"
'Thirty-five," she answered prompt
ly Not that it matters"
That's nice of you to say" George
said quickly But it's 13 wears more
In actual age-and somehow seem so
much older for 80 than you do for %.
You are so very young. you see"
III probably always stay young for
Whatever age | am" the girl said wise
~ I'm quiet and not awfully clever.
and rather conventional. I'm always
a little surprised at some things and |
little shocked at others"
I'm glad of that-for I've seen so
much | sometimes think I'm never |
either shocked or surprised any more
And after all. that's age, years don't
matter so much. Do / seem so much
Older to you. PAM"
NO, she gave him a quick little
smile. You seem rather young. be
cause you don't know how to look at
TT yourself properly. That makes me
the SluGI.
George laughed at this, and relit tho
clearet, which had gone out. as usual.
from lack of attention.
All right, then, feel as maternal as
you want-only don't magnify nv
white hairs. / never wanted to seem
young before, but now l wish I were
nearer your age"
90 don t. Pan answered promptly |
i like man to be little older then
ne can be the leader and the wise one
and | can follow. I'd rather do that. "
If Gloria were here. she would say
that suits my autocratic temperament
exactly George smiled, putting at the
clgaret 10 keep it alight she saws
l want my way in everything. She'll
say 1t will be bad for you, for I'll boss
you SO you'll never develop any mi,
tiative"
I'll develop it when have to have
1t, Pan disposed of the problem. LAS