The Hartford herald., 1922-01-04
VIA THE PINK ONE
By HESTER cALpERwoop.

Everyone he had met that day on
his way to the office had said: Good
morning. Mr.. Clifford; fine morning,
Isn't itT And Larry clifford had
gazed into the sky and had seen that
1t was blue and cloudless and that
the sun was shining, and had suddenly
discovered that 1t was fine day--out-
side. But when he opened the door Of
his business-looking Office, everything
was dingy and lonely--like his own
thoughts.
Perhars Frma Clark wes 70 knwe.
perhaps she wasn't. Anyway. he had
accompanied her to one of the usual
twice-a-week theater trips that night,
but he had not accompanied her home.
She left him at the theater door and
told him, very decidedly, that she pre-
ferred to go home alone.
SO Larry plodded back to his two
uninviting, rented rooms with down
cast heart and Erma's fiery words still
ringing In his ears-words to the effect
that he had become so .engrossed in
his business of late that he had
neglected her to the point of rudeness.
A wonderful frame of mind to he
In at the start of long office day |!
Larry's head felt heavy and stupid
and dull, too.
And the work that was before him
His desk was fairly swamped with
letters. And right on top of the pile
was pink envelope, addressed in a
feminine hand.
Larry gave disgusted groan and
threw the letter on the floor.
The door opened. Larry wheeled
around in his chair and saw tall,
slender girl enter the room. She was
dressed in soft, dark brown. But the
chic French veil she wore was of such
dark, dense shade that It completely
hid her features from him.
"Hello!" the person said. "Alonef
Isn't that nice!
Larry stared at her a moment, then,
remembering that he hadn't risen to
his feet, hastily did so and stood before
her awkwardly silent.
Larry hadn't long to wonder, for the
girl was already loosening the veil
from her face, and then
"Erma!" he cried joyously, spring
Wing toward her, "Erma-dear."
Il couldn't stay away any longer,
Larry" she whispered softly, coming
closer to him.
'But you said"
|. The girl pressed small hand over
sI = -
things, Larry dear, and I've come to
be forgiven for them; the things l
said about you being selfish and ugly,
j mean."
But I'm afraid did neglect you,
Erma. didn't think-I had more
business than ] could attend to last
week, and 1t simply. wouldn't let me
think Of anybody or anything else"
Larry, you didn't neglect me;
you've been wonderful to me-always.
needed this lesson-the thought that
perhaps you wouldn't forgive me-to
make me understand"
Larry didn't answer. He only stood
silently before her, too happy, too be-
wildered to speak.
Dear" she was saying in her soft,
low voice, II know how to appreciate
you now. ! couldn't get along without
you. :. / love you, Larryl j love you.
Please, please, forgive me-"
Then 1t was that Larry spoke.
! Dearest" he cried hoarsely, "stay
with me always; promise me. i love-
you, Erma dear. love-"
His last words were lost as he gath
cred her close In his arms and smoth-
cred his face In her hair, his whole
SAeart filed with new, warm Joy of
having her back again. For several
moments they remained thus, until the
sharp striking Of the Office clock awoke
Larry and he lifted his head, still quite
dazed. from the letter-littered desk
top. So
SO that was all Erma was still
lost, he was still alone; 1t had only
been a dream.
He mustn't think about It any Ion
ger, he told himself. His work must be
done and he would tackle the worst
part first. So thinking, he picked up
the pink envelope, which had fallen
at his feet. and opened It. 1t read:
Dearest Larry-In half an hour /
will be at your ONCE, so have all call
ers out by then. I'm coming to be
forgiven for the horrid things said
to you. Larry dear. I've missed you
terribly since last night and I'm In
such hurry to see you that / can't
stop to write any more.
lots Of love.
"ERMA."
Erma had been lost and now she
was found again. And happiness had
come to Larry by the way Of the pink
letter.